Robert Triggs / Android Authority
You may have heard Tim Cook’s comments about Rich Content Services (RCS) recently. During a question-and-answer session on the forum last week, a participant asked whether or not Apple plans to adopt RCS, which would allow Android’s native messaging apps and iPhone’s native messaging app to communicate without relying on SMS/MMS protocols. Apple’s CEO’s response dampened any hopes: “I haven’t heard our customers asking us to put more energy into it at this point.”
That’s disappointing, but the real killer was what happened next. In response to Cook, the questioner said, “Mom, I can’t send certain videos,” referring to how the iPhone can’t send high-definition media to Android phones. Cook boldly answered the coupon that has been on everyone’s mind ever since:
Buy your mom an iPhone.
Now, this might sound like a joke. Cook probably thought he was smart. We do not have an audio recording of the interview; But I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the audience laughed after he said it.
But I hear nothing funny in this statement. I do hear a few other things, though: hypocrisy, resignation, and corporate greed.
The opposite of green initiatives
When people think of Apple, they probably think of a progressive company that cares about the environment. Apple mentions its carbon-neutral status at every opportunity, for example. It says it has removed the charger from iPhone retail boxes to reduce the burden on the environment. It has strong trade-in programs to keep its products longer. Even its iOS update policy — with more than five years of promised support — promotes its eco-friendly image.
Apple really wants you to think of it as an eco-friendly brand. But is it true or is he just trying to sell more stuff?
But, the whole “buy your mom an iPhone” spits in the face. The statement suggests that Cook has no interest in working with consumers (or competitors) to keep technology people already own from going into the trash. Apple doesn’t seem to care about people keeping their phones longer to prevent e-waste — it just cares about keeping people. iPhones for a long time.
This is similar to the backlog problem Apple faced when removing chargers from iPhone boxes. Yes, sending smaller, lighter boxes with less plastic inside is definitely good for the environment. However, Apple has made billions of dollars doing this. It makes one wonder what is the real reason behind Apple’s decision.
These conditions are not the favor of Apple’s green initiatives but another branding.
These conditions do not bode well for Apple. They suggest that Apple’s green initiatives are not frivolous, but just another form of branding. If a company’s green policies exist solely to generate profits, they are not green policies. Of course, a green policy can help generate incidental profits, for example because consumers appreciate a lower environmental impact when they stick with a brand. But there are only two reasons a company has green policies: because it actually cares about the environment, or because it wants to. feel like He cares about the environment.
This is a PR master class on what not to do.
Tristan Reiner / Android Authority
Eco-friendliness aside, Cook’s statement, “Just buy your mom an iPhone,” doesn’t address the real issue of the Q&A audience, who simply said, “I can’t send my mom certain videos.” Remember, this questioner is an iPhone user! This would have been a perfect PR opportunity for the CEO to demonstrate that he understands the pain points of his own customers. Cook may not be able to talk about Apple’s future plans — especially if there aren’t any — but he could have responded more thoughtfully: “I understand this is frustrating for you. I’ll take this as a suggestion and see what we can come up with.
And this would not have been a blip on the radar.
Android users and iPhone users need to be able to communicate more and buying a mother iPhone is not the answer.
However, in my opinion – from both an iPhone and Android user perspective – Apple should embrace RCS. Doing so allows iPhone and Android users to communicate more effectively using the products they own. This will be pro-consumer as it will make everyone’s life easier. It would also be an environmental move as it would encourage people to stick with their current device and platform. And it’s a pro-community move because “green bubble hate” is a real and serious problem. There are literally no downsides for users if Apple takes RCS. The only downsides are Apple’s bottom line.
There are no downsides for users if Apple adopts RCS. The only downside is to Apple’s bottom line.
I’ll be the first to admit that RCS isn’t perfect. There are several legitimate reasons why Apple thinks that going after RCS integration is a waste of time and resources. But completely rejecting the protocol without public explanation and shutting down this requester’s concerns is not a sign of good leadership — and comes across as rude.
Apple may reject RCS, but the overall problem is still there
The question in my mind, in the end, is whether or not Apple can continue to ignore this issue. So far, the company has weathered the storm, but the heat is rising. Google is coming out and attacking Apple directly. As sites Android Authority. You’ve been fed up with iMessage inconsistency for a long time, and even iPhone die-hards are tired.
The solution may not lie in adopting RCS. It won’t be by unlocking iMessage, as internal documents make it clear that Apple won’t do it. But I feel the company should eventually do something to help Android users communicate more effectively with iPhone users, and vice versa. It’s sloppy – and should be profitable from “green bubble hate” – it’s basically ignoring Google’s insults, and as Cook has shown here, it’s fine to dismiss complaints from its own users. But can he ignore this problem forever?
watch out: Why iMessage is such a big deal
Let’s go back to the first episode, Cook’s response to the man at the Q&A event. “I don’t hear our users asking us to spend more energy. [into RCS]” as a defense to why the company is not working on this problem. Seriously, that’s total BS. Was there anyone asking Apple to remove the headphone jack? No, but he did. No one wanted Apple to remove the SIM card tray, but it had no problem doing so. Apple has a long history of doing all kinds of things while actively engaging its users. Don’t do it They want it, so Cook’s argument that users want Apple to follow suit with RCS support is futile.
No one asked Apple to remove the SIM slot or the 3.5mm jack, yet here we are.
This whole fiasco makes Apple look really bad. The company pretends not to care about the environment, doesn’t care about anyone who doesn’t own an iPhone, and doesn’t even care about iPhone owners. I’d like to think that’s not the case.
I know Apple fans have to get used to ignoring these kinds of revelations. After all, the company has done a lot of anti-consumer activities, and people still protect and love to buy its products. But this occasion was particularly terrifying, so I hope you won’t let it slip.