You may have experienced annoying questions appear when you send text messages to iPhone from Android device or vice versa. Messages from Android users pop up as green bubbles on iPhones instead of blue (horror!) and videos sent between the two systems are often so compressed that they can’t be viewed. The apparent lack of interoperability became such a headache that many people started trying to promote the two platforms to be more harmonious.
At Vox Media’s Code Conference on Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook take the question from the audience. LiQuan Hunt, who works at Vox Media, asked if Apple would ever adopt the same messaging standard as Android or at least make them play well with each other. Hunt then went on to say that the loss of connection made it difficult to communicate while texting with his mother. In response, Cook said, “Buy your mom an iPhone.”
It’s a short statement, but one that amplifies the tension between the two smartphone ecosystems. Almost a month ago, Google started to despair marketing campaign to convince Apple to apply RCS . Messaging Protocol that’s become standard on Android devices. But now Cook has made it clear that won’t happen anytime soon.
Here are other notable news events of the week in the world of consumer technology.
Brazil and Apple plunge into battle
Apple stopped putting chargers in iPhone packaging in 2020, citing the environmental impact of shipping tens of millions of chargers to people who might find them redundant and throw them away. The move has ruffled some, including moves by several governments.
On Tuesday, Brazil said it would Forbidden to sell of iPhone in the country if the device does not come with a charging cable in the box. It also fined Apple 12,275 million reais, or about $2.3 million. Apple is interesting orders.
A penalty the size of a tear in the ocean for Apple — the company’s market capitalization is $2.3 trillion, a million times the amount of the fine. However, Brazil’s move could set a precedent for other countries to make similar claims. Laws in the European Union prompted Apple to open up repair program and tinker with its iPhone conversion to the USB-C connector. While the company may view Brazil’s move as a threat, it’s not the only device maker to stop offering chargers. SAMSUNG charger not included with a Galaxy S21 or S22 phone. Brazil has yet to go after that company, but we’ll see how that price depends on how attractive Apple is.
Google Maps Expands Eco Directions
In October 2021, Google Introduce a feature in the United States allows users to choose more eco-friendly routes in their commute. They aren’t always the fastest routes to a destination, but Google says it depends on road and traffic conditions to find the most fuel-efficient route.
Eco-friendly routes in Maps are now present in 40 European countries, along with some new features. The biggest addition is the ability to match your vehicle’s fuel type. You can choose whether your car is electric or gas or diesel powered, and Maps will incorporate that into figuring out its route.
