Apple Integrates RCS Messaging and Call Transcription in iOS 18: What You Need to Know

Highlights

• iOS 18 introduces RCS messaging for iPhones.
• End of green bubbles for Android messages in iMessage.
• Native call recording and transcription feature in iOS 18.
• Transcription available in multiple languages including English and Spanish.

It’s been a long time coming, but iOS 18 will finally bring support for RCS messaging to iPhones.

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services and offers features quite similar to iMessage – like read receipts, typing indicators, and higher quality photos/videos.

When messaging between iPhones and Android devices, conversations will no longer be limited to basic SMS.

The change means an end to those pesky green bubbles for Android messages in iMessage.

However, Apple’s preview shows green bubbles and audio messages will still look different than blue iMessage bubbles.

RCS was developed as the successor to SMS and has become the standard on Android over the past 5 years as carriers adopted it.

Apple hasn’t revealed many details beyond confirming RCS support is coming in iOS 18.

But the company’s website gives one example glimpse of how it will look, with “RCS” displayed in the text field.

The move follows years of pressure from Google, Samsung and regulatory scrutiny, with the EU taking aim at Apple’s longstanding refusal to enable better cross-platform messaging.

Record & Transcribe Calls Too

In more iOS 18 news, Apple will introduce the ability to record and transcribe phone calls natively.

When on a call, there will be a new recording option that captures audio and automatically transcribes it to written text in the Notes app.

Apple’s AI will even generate summaries of the transcripts.

The company says call participants will be alerted that recording is happening.

While convenient for journalists, students and more, the transcription feature will initially only work for English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Portuguese audio.

Still, built-in call recording should prove very useful for many iPhone users.

Apple will also work very heavy handedly on the privacy of said call recording so that it is not misused and the user is aware that a call is being recorded.

FAQs

What is RCS messaging, and how does it differ from SMS?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) offers advanced features like read receipts, typing indicators, and higher quality media sharing.

Unlike SMS, RCS provides a more interactive and richer messaging experience similar to iMessage.

How will RCS messaging improve communication between iPhones and Android devices?

With RCS, messaging between iPhones and Android devices will no longer be limited to basic SMS.

Users will enjoy features like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-quality media sharing, enhancing the overall messaging experience.

What are the new call recording and transcription features in iOS 18?

iOS 18 will introduce a native call recording option that captures audio during phone calls and automatically transcribes it into written text in the Notes app.

The transcription feature supports multiple languages and alerts participants when recording is happening.

Will call participants be notified when a call is being recorded on iOS 18?

Yes, Apple has confirmed that all call participants will be alerted when a call is being recorded.

This ensures transparency and privacy for all parties involved in the conversation.

Which languages are supported by the new transcription feature in iOS 18?

The transcription feature in iOS 18 supports English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Portuguese audio.

Apple aims to expand language support in future updates.

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