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A week ago, Apple surprised everyone by launching a new app and service named “Invites.” However, this launch has led to some unfair criticism about Apple’s approach to apps, suggesting they operate like Google does with its apps.

Google is well-known for starting new apps and services but then either shutting them down or merging them into something else. A good example is Google Podcasts, which didn’t last long. There’s practically a “graveyard” of Google apps that didn’t make it.

After the launch of Invites, some people started to think Apple does the same thing with its apps. But is that really true?

Not Dead Yet

Take the Apple Sports app, for example. It’s been around for a year now, and it keeps getting better. People love it so much they’re asking for a widget for their phones. It’s clear this app isn’t just left to die; it’s growing in popularity.

Then there’s the Journal app, which first appeared with iOS 17.2 in December 2023. By the time iOS 18 rolled out, the app had a significant update to version 2.0, bringing new features like search, sort options, audio transcripts, and more. The only thing missing is an iPad version, not updates.

Apple Music Classical, initially iPhone-only, expanded to include an iPad app and added features like album booklets. It even got a CarPlay app and Siri support.

Music Memos’ Legacy

Music Memos was an app for musicians to record their tunes. It lasted for five years before Apple decided to enhance the built-in Voice Memos app instead. Now, Voice Memos can record two tracks at once, which is great for songwriters who use voice and guitar.

Clips in the Classroom

Apple Clips isn’t dead either. It’s thriving in educational settings with features like royalty-free music and templates that teachers can use in their lessons. Instead of abandoning it, maybe Apple should focus on making a simpler video editing app like CapCut, but without the ByteDance connection.

Looking Ahead for Invites

The future of the Invites app might include tight integration with the Calendar app and could come pre-installed on new iPhones. Its success will depend on turning users into iCloud+ subscribers and having a strong advocate within Apple, similar to how Apple Sports has been championed.

In summary, Apple’s so-called “hobby apps” aren’t just side projects; they’re part of a broader strategy where apps are nurtured, updated, and sometimes transformed to better serve users.

The British government has quietly asked Apple to give it full access to every user’s encrypted data stored in the cloud, according to The Washington Post. This secret directive reportedly came last month, compelling Apple to design a backdoor allowing UK security agencies to access encrypted user data around the world. This is a demand that has never been made in any other democratic nation.

The order was delivered via a “technical capability notice” under the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which critics call the “Snooper’s Charter.” This law allows law enforcement to force companies to assist in gathering evidence.

Apple has not commented on this issue. The law makes it illegal for Apple to even acknowledge such a demand from the government. Similarly, the Home Office declined to confirm or deny the existence of such notices, stating it does not discuss operational details.

A consultant who advises the US on encryption issues said Apple would not be able to inform users that their encryption is no longer secure. A former White House security advisor verified the UK’s order.

Apple Might Stop UK iCloud Services Over Privacy Concerns

There’s talk that Apple might pull its encrypted storage service from the UK rather than weaken the privacy promises it made to its users. However, this wouldn’t stop the UK from accessing the service in other countries. Apple has hinted before that it might withdraw services like FaceTime and iMessage from the UK if privacy is compromised. Apple’s Advanced Data Protection, introduced in 2022, allows users to encrypt additional data categories like Photos and Notes, keeping them private even from Apple.

Google, on the other hand, has made encryption standard for Android backups since 2018. When asked if any government had asked for a backdoor, Google responded that they can’t access encrypted backup data, even with a legal order.

How to Secure Your iCloud Data

The IPA was revised in 2023 to let the Home Office potentially ban certain encrypted services. Apple criticized these changes as excessive government control, suggesting they could prevent new security features from being offered globally.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has always argued against providing backdoors, stating it would invite criminals to access user data. Cybersecurity experts agree, warning that any backdoor could be exploited. Apple’s resistance was notable in 2016 when they fought and won against a US order to unlock an iPhone.

With increasing cyber threats from state actors, like those from China, US officials are now more focused on cybersecurity than ever, promoting encryption to protect communications. Privacy advocates, like Big Brother Watch, argue that such measures won’t make the UK safer and will instead undermine basic rights and freedoms.

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The world of mobile messaging has been evolving rapidly, and one of the most significant advancements in recent years has been the rise of Rich Communication Services, or RCS. This protocol promises a richer, more feature-filled experience than traditional SMS/MMS, bringing features like read receipts, typing indicators, high-resolution media sharing, and enhanced group chats to the forefront. Apple’s recent adoption of RCS on the iPhone was a major step forward, but the rollout has been, shall we say, a bit of a winding road.

Let’s rewind a bit. For years, iPhone users communicating with Android users were often stuck with the limitations of SMS/MMS. Blurry photos, no read receipts, and clunky group chats were the norm. RCS offered a potential solution, bridging the gap and offering a more seamless experience across platforms. When Apple finally announced support for RCS, it was met with widespread excitement. However, the implementation has been anything but uniform.

Instead of a blanket rollout, Apple has opted for a carrier-by-carrier approach, requiring individual approvals for each network to enable RCS on iPhones. This has led to a rather fragmented landscape, with some carriers offering an enhanced messaging experience while others remain stuck in the past. It’s like building a puzzle where some pieces are missing and others don’t quite fit.

The latest iOS updates have brought good news for users on several smaller carriers. Networks like Boost Mobile and Visible have recently been added to the growing list of RCS-supported carriers. This is undoubtedly a positive development, expanding the reach of RCS and bringing its benefits to a wider audience. It’s encouraging to see Apple working to broaden the availability of this important technology.

However, this piecemeal approach has also created some notable omissions. Several popular low-cost carriers, such as Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile, are still conspicuously absent from the list of supported networks. This leaves their customers in a frustrating limbo, unable to enjoy the improved messaging experience that RCS offers. It begs the question: why the delay? What are the hurdles preventing these carriers from joining the RCS revolution?

Perhaps the most glaring omission of all is Google Fi. This Google-owned mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) has a significant user base, many of whom are iPhone users. The fact that Google Fi is still waiting for RCS support on iPhones is a major point of contention. It’s a bit like having a high-speed internet connection but being unable to access certain websites.

Reports suggest that Google is essentially waiting for Apple to give the green light for RCS interoperability on Fi. It appears that the ball is firmly in Apple’s court. This situation is particularly perplexing given that Google has been a strong proponent of RCS and has been actively working to promote its adoption across the Android ecosystem. The lack of support on Fi for iPhones creates a significant disconnect.

Adding to the confusion, Apple’s official webpage detailing RCS support for various carriers completely omits any mention of Google Fi. This omission extends beyond RCS, with no mention of other features like 5G and Wi-Fi Calling either. This lack of acknowledgment doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that RCS support for Fi is on the horizon. It raises concerns about the future of interoperability between these two major players in the tech industry.

The current state of RCS on iPhone is a mixed bag. While the expansion to more carriers is a welcome development, the fragmented rollout and the notable omissions, especially Google Fi, create a sense of incompleteness. It’s clear that there’s still work to be done to achieve the full potential of RCS and deliver a truly seamless messaging experience across platforms. One can only hope that Apple will streamline the process and accelerate the adoption of RCS for all carriers, including Google Fi, in the near future. The future of messaging depends on it.

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