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This week, Apple finally added support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) to Messages as part of the second developer beta of iOS 18. Until now, iPhone users could only send SMS or MMS messages from the Messages app to people who didn’t have an Apple device. Now you can share high-quality images and get read receipts and typing indicators while messaging with Android users — but text bubbles are still green.
OpenAI is delaying the release of its new Voice Mode. The company had planned to start rolling out advanced Voice Mode in alpha to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users in late June but said that lingering issues forced it to postpone the launch to sometime in July. Depending on internal safety and reliability checks, Advanced Voice Mode might not launch for all ChatGPT Plus customers until the fall, the company says.
The FCC proposed an easier way for consumers to unlock their phones from their carriers, suggesting that all devices must be unlockable just 60 days after purchase. The rule would potentially allow phones to work with different mobile networks after that time period, but it may run afoul of today’s phone and wireless markets.
News
OpenAI releases ChatGPT for Mac: ChatGPT is now available to all macOS users via a new app. Mac users can quickly call up ChatGPT by using the keyboard combination of Option + Space after installing the new app. Read more
Apple reportedly won’t integrate Meta’s AI models after all: Days after The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple and Meta were in talks to integrate the latter’s AI models, a Bloomberg report says Apple shelved the idea over privacy concerns. Read more
Waymo ditches its waitlist in San Francisco: Waymo announced that now anyone can download its app and immediately hail a robotaxi in San Francisco, removing the final obstacle for customers keen to use the self-driving technology. Read more
Zuckerberg disses “closed” AI: In a new interview, the Meta CEO said he doesn’t believe there will be “just one AI” and emphasized the importance of open source AI. Zuckerberg also said closed source AI competitors are trying to “create God.” Read more
Andrew Ng’s AI Fund wants to raise a lot of cash: According to a new SEC filing, Andrew Ng’s AI Fund plans to raise upward of $120 million for its second effort. The startup incubator backs small teams of experts looking to solve key problems using AI. Read more
Gemini AI comes to Gmail: Google is rolling out a Gemini AI side panel in Gmail to help you draft emails and find information from your inbox. The Gemini side panel will also be available in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. Read more
OpenAI continues its M&A tear: OpenAI has acquired Multi, a startup developing an enterprise-focused, video-first collaboration platform. A source familiar with the matter tells TechCrunch that most of Multi’s team will join OpenAI following the deal’s close. Read more
An eerie smiling robot with living skin: Will robots ever have living, human skin? Researchers at the University of Tokyo and Harvard have been exploring the question — and they’ve come up with some pretty unsettling results. Read more
Meta’s chatbots head to India: After a few months of testing during the general elections, Meta is making its Llama 3-powered AI chatbot available to all users in India. But Meta AI currently only supports English. Read more
Prosus zeroes out its stake in Byju’s: One of Byju’s largest investors said its once-$2.1 billion stake in the Indian edtech startup is now worth nothing. However, Prosus is still hopeful that Byju’s can be salvaged. Read more
Analysis
Silicon Valley is being weird about DEI again: DEI has become incredibly divisive. A prime example of the tension is the conversation sparked by startup Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang, in which he discussed moving away from DEI to instead embrace “MEI” — merit, excellence, and intelligence. But Dominic-Madori Davis and Kyle Wiggers write that, according to the data, a “meritocracy” is not better than DEI. Read more
What Ayana Parsons’ resignation means: Fearless Fund’s co-founder Ayana Parsons is stepping down. The announcement follows continued legal trouble and the pendulum swing in tech that has resulted in increased anti-DEI sentiment. Julie Bort and Dominic-Madori Davis explore how the latest developments for Fearless Fund, and the switch to publicly panning DEI, are a sad reflection on the VC world for Black women. Read more
FAQs
In short, yes. Apple will enable RCS messaging with the release of iOS 18, meaning Android and iPhone users can enjoy rich messaging features and seamless communication between their devices. In fact, as of June 25th, 2024, iOS beta 2 users already have access to RCS P2P messaging on their devices.
Which devices will support iOS 18? ›
iOS 18 is compatible with these devices.
- iPhone 15.
- iPhone 15 Plus.
- iPhone 15 Pro.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- iPhone 14 Plus.
- iPhone 14 Pro.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- iPhone 13 mini.
iOS 17 brings big updates to Phone, Messages, and FaceTime that give you new ways to express yourself as you communicate. StandBy delivers a new full-screen experience with glanceable information designed to view from a distance when you turn iPhone on its side while charging.
Is iOS 18 beta available? ›
The company already released the two developer betas for iOS 18 after announcing the next operating system at WWDC, and the public beta is set to be released this month.
When in 2024 will Apple adopt RCS? ›
A statement that briefly appeared on the official Android website seemed to indicate we can expect RCS messaging to arrive on iOS in fall 2024. The iOS and Android debate will never end, but texting between the two platforms is set to get a lot better thanks to Apple grudgingly planning to adopt RCS messaging.
Is RCS safer than SMS? ›
RCS is a protocol that builds upon the basic foundation of SMS but offers more modern features, such as branded messages, sharing content like high-resolution video and audio clips, group chats, typing indicators, and read receipts. Furthermore, the end-to-end encryption makes RCS secure compared to SMS.
What is coming in iOS 18? ›
iOS 18 is set to launch later this year in a stable capacity, featuring major updates such as new customisation options, a redesigned Photos app, Apple Intelligence, and more. It is safe to say that this is one of the most ambitious updates by Apple in almost a decade.
When did iOS 17.3 come out? ›
Apple announced iOS 18 at its WWDC 2024 event on June 10, but don't forget to check out all the features the tech giant included in iOS 17.3. That update was released months ago on Jan. 22, and it brought a new security feature and more to you iPhone.
Which devices will not get iOS 17? ›
Is Your iPhone or iPad Compatible? With iOS 17, Apple is ending software support for the following devices: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. If you have an iPhone XR and iPhone XS or newer (including the second- and third-gen iPhone SE), you can download and run iOS 17.
Should I update to iOS 17 or wait? ›
Updated security and privacy.
Bottom line: If your phone is compatible, you should almost certainly update to iOS 17. There's very little downside, and you get a lot.
The iOS 16 was compatible with all Apple iPhone 8 and above devices. However, this is not the case with iOS 17, as the Apple iPhone 8 won't be receiving the iOS 17 update. But if you are using an iPhone compatible with iOS 17, then it's important to know if it's worth upgrading!
Does iOS 17 drain battery? ›
If you've recently updated to the iOS 17 version, you may have noticed a significant decrease in battery life. iOS 17 battery drain issue are a common problem with the latest software versions as they are not fully optimized for power efficiency.
How to get iOS 18? ›
1. On your iPhone, go to the Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Next, go into Beta Updates and tap the iOS 18 Developer Beta option.
How to install iOS 18 beta? ›
Go to Settings app > Click General > Tap on Software Update > Click Beta Updates > Select the iOS 18 Beta. Click Back and then the version will appear. Step 3: Download and install the beta.
How to get iOS beta free? ›
Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and choose the iOS 18 Developer Beta option. Go back to the Software Update and wait for iOS 18 beta to appear and start downloading.
Will the EU force Apple to use RCS? ›
Apple has previously said that it will support RCS messages from Android phones in 2024, a compromise that seems to have worked in its favor with this European Commission decision. But Google and others clearly wanted EU regulations to go further.
Will RCS replace SMS? ›
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a protocol aimed at replacing SMS messages with a richer text-message system that can transmit in-call multimedia, provide phonebook polling, and transmit other types of content.
Is RCS better than iMessage? ›
RCS also supports read receipts, bridging the gap between Android and iPhone users in terms of communication transparency. The inclusion of read receipts in RCS messages enhances the overall user experience, making it more comparable to iMessage.
Is Apple changing texting? ›
Texting between iPhones and Android phones is about to get a whole lot better with Apple's upcoming adoption of RCS. Soon, you'll be able to say goodbye to blurry videos and broken group chats, and hello to seamless messaging with anyone. *Availability of the service varies by region and carrier.
