Last year, Apple surprised everyone by revealing that it would begin supporting the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard on the iPhone in 2024.

Beyond that vague 12-month window, no specific date was given, but thanks to the main beneficiary of this move, we have a better idea of when the update will come: Google.

The Android maker created a new landing page for Google Messages, extolling the virtues of its first-party messaging app, and 9to5Google found an interesting tidbit buried in the RCS Benefits section.

"Apple has announced it will adopt RCS in the fall of 2024. When that happens, it will be a better messaging experience for everyone."

Whether that is an educated guess on Google's part or some sort of inside information, it makes sense. Fall runs from September 22 to December 21, and it is widely expected that Apple will include RCS integration in iOS 18, which will be announced in September along with the iPhone 16.

However, the fact that fall lasts until December means that there is room for RCS to be implemented in an update rather than being included in the 18.0 release.

It remains to be seen how RCS will be implemented, but it has already been confirmed that the green and blue bubble grooves will remain.

Nevertheless, RCS support should make communication between iPhone and Android users much easier to use. Currently, there is a bit of confusion, as Android messages are distorted before they reach the iPhone. Media files are horribly compressed, and emoji reactions appear as text and do not indicate that the user is typing.

It is probably unrealistic to expect the entire RCS wish list for the iPhone to be implemented. Apple is well aware that iMessage's refusal to do well with Android is an effective way to retain iPhone customers. "I am concerned that iMessage on Android will simply help iPhone families remove the obstacles (to) giving their children Android phones," Apple's Craig Federighi is quoted as saying in a 2013 email.

In fact, the company has been quite aggressive in making sure iMessage is not reproduced on Android; when Beeper Mini offered iMessage compatibility through its Android app, Apple quickly closed all the loopholes were closed.

Hopefully, to our pleasant surprise, RCS Messaging on the iPhone will fix all the bugbears users have and put an end to the green bubble icky memes that have been doing the rounds for years. We'll know by the end of the year.