All of these great features are available when two or more RCS users are engaged in a chat. Should an Android user with a non-RCS messaging app or an iPhone user join the chat, all of these features disappear. It is the same thing that happens to iPhone users chatting on iMessage when an Android user joins the chat. Google tried to squeeze Apple harder with subsequent promotions including one that invaded New York City billboards, bus stops and sidewalks.

Google continues to put the squeeze on Apple although the latter seems to understand that keeping its messaging app free from RCS is a selling point for some iPhone buyers. The result is that Android users, when messaging with iPhone users, are forced to revert back to the graybeard SMS/MMS platform. Google mocked Apple’s decision to ignore RCS in a new video released today. The video opens with these words on the screen. “Been waiting for innovation? It’s time to keep waiting.”