It seems like SMS texting for messaging is mostly dead now

Uh, that’s like so interesting, OP.

SMS now is mostly just for 2 factor authentication and notifications.

I only use it on my landline

What's SMS texting?

Whatsapp is all but universal in Spain. It's the way to make calls, send messages, and conduct business communication.

It's very rare to see anyone using anything else.

I thought the Apple and Android people could now text each other now with native software ... not so?

R6 They can. That’s the RCS.

What does RCS stand for?

R5, Whatsapp is very popular in countries like Spain, India, and Egypt.

Where there is poverty, there will be Whatsapp.

r8 Google

r9 My coworkers in Netherlands and Australia also all use WhatsApp

WhatsApp is used all over Europe, especially in the UK.

Not compatible: "iMessage and RCS are not compatible with each other. Apple plans to integrate support for RCS in its Messages app starting in 2024. However, at the moment, the two protocols do not communicate with one another. As such, Apple’s Messages app will default to SMS/MMS when users attempt to send texts and media files to someone with an Android phone."

In Europe it is WhatsApp ALL the time

[quote]Where there is poverty, there will be Whatsapp.

Because god forbid we have any competition in the app market. Has to always be a monopoly or a duopoly at most, right? Fucking brain rot, zombies like you are the reason I'll never own an Apple product, it's an active turn-off by now.

R13 It’s 2025 now and my iPhone does recognize RCS messages.

[quote]Where there is poverty, there will be Whatsapp.

You associate Spain with poverty? Try again.

WhatsApp is popular everywhere outside the US I think for two reasons. One, it took longer for mobile carriers outside the US to offer unlimited SMS, and iPhones are less common abroad than in the US, and iPhones have iMessage built in.

[quote]Whatsapp is very popular in countries like Spain, India, and Egypt.

[quote]Where there is poverty, there will be Whatsapp

Besides Spain, R9, WhatsApp has a market penetration of >90% in The Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Austria, Switzerland. Where there is poverty...

Everyone in Europe and the UK uses WhatsApp for personal and business. When I get iMessages from my US friends I often don't notice because no one ever uses iMessage in the UK where I live.

[quote]WhatsApp is used all over Europe, especially in the UK.

I finally downloaded WhatsApp because that's all my European friends use.

I'm pressing the red button immediately,, and I'm taking this thread with me.

The horror.

I have WhatsApp but I would rather use an Apple product than a Meta product.

Are those friends all in your program, John?

Not one of my friends uses WhatsApp, thank goodness!

I use sms and see no reason to change.

OP, thank you for providing this vital public service with your boring, mundane updates on SMS.

You’ve earned a well-deserved break and should refrain from posting for the next 20 years.