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Apple Rumoured to Embrace RCS in 2024 – Find Out the Latest Updates!

Do you use WhatsApp or Telegram? Or are you an iMessage user?

Finding common ground to create a group chat can be a tricky task. For most iPhone users, the go-to messaging platform is usually iMessages. Although Apple has created this ease for texting between iPhone users, iMessage is unavailable across platforms. This has created the difficulty in reaching to your friends who use Google or Android phones. Now, you’re either left resorting to SMS, or other messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Messenger. But what if there was one single solution for it all – the RCS (Rich Communication Services)

What is RCS?

Although this might be the first time many of us heard the phrase RCS, this messaging channel is not new. RCS or Rich Communication Services was first conceived years ago, but it’s finally gaining popularity. RCS messaging is the upgrade that users need to get the same features available on iMessage. Unlike the iMessage system, RCS creates the perfect single-platform messaging App.

With the new RCS update, users can explore a variety of messaging features. Everything from sending and receiving large files such as high-resolution pictures and videos, read receipts, reactions, and typing indicators are all available!

But why are we hearing about this just now? Well, Google decided to add RCS to its default messaging Apps. With this new update, RCS became a popular hit, with Google reporting 650 million users monthly. Google data additionally shows that people are 35x more likely to read RCS messages than emails, while also using RCS messages to engage with brands. Here is how you can turn on RCS messaging as well!

Gone are the days of struggling to create a group chat with a combination of Android and Apple users. This addition has created the perfect single-platform messaging App, the days of struggling to text between users of different branded phones are a thing of the past. Although Google has taken the bold step to embrace RCS messaging, allowing users to enjoy the exceptional features, what’s the update on Apple?

Will Apple Embrace the RCS Messaging Platform?

There have been rumours that Apple is ready to embrace the RCS messaging platform in 2024. According to 9to5mac, the RCS feature is set to launch via a software update later this year. This would completely remove the barrier of iMessage features between Android and iPhone users.

Later next year, we will be adding the support for RCS Universal Profile, the standards as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users, says an Apple Spokesperson talking to 9to5mac in November 2023.

Does this mean Apple is replacing iMessage? Of course not. Apple continues to reiterate that iMessage is the safest messaging platform for Apple users. RCS, if available on Apple later this year, will be adopted separately from iMessage. This will open up new horizons for communications and group chats in 2024!

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Malaysia Boosts Tourism with Strong Links to Southern India

Tourism Malaysia: Key South Indian Cities Driving Growth

Malaysia is ramping up its focus on key South Indian cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi to boost tourism, according to the latest data from the Malaysian Tourism Department. These cities play a pivotal role in Malaysia’s tourism strategy, contributing nearly half of the flights from India to Malaysia.

With 151 weekly flights offering 26,686 seats per week, direct connectivity from Southern India has become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s tourism growth plan. Moreover, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, highlighted the importance of this region, stating, “India has been a key market for Malaysia for over 20 years, and with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), we are targeting 1.6 million Indian travellers. Southern India, with its robust flight connections, is crucial to our growth strategy. The 151 weekly flights and 26,686 seats per week reflect the high demand for travel between Malaysia and the Southern cities of India”

Expanding Malaysia’s Appeal

In addition to strong flight connections, Malaysia is positioning itself as a leading destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), wedding tourism, and leisure travel. Periasamy emphasized that Malaysia’s appeal lies in its world-class infrastructure and beautiful destinations, offering diverse travel experiences for all kinds of tourists.

One sector that is seeing particularly rapid growth is wedding tourism, with an increasing number of Indian couples choosing Malaysia for their dream weddings. Furthermore, this trend highlights Malaysia’s growing popularity among Indian travelers seeking unique experiences.

Hishamuddin Mustafa, the newly appointed Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai, reinforced the strategic importance of South Indian cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi. He pointed out that the ease of access provided by 84 weekly flights and 12,395 seats per week makes Malaysia a highly attractive destination for Indian travelers. “Whether it’s for MICE, a dream wedding, or a family vacation, Malaysia has something for everyone,” Mustafa said, underscoring the wide range of experiences the country offers.

In 2024, Malaysia set a new record by welcoming over 1.1 million Indian tourists, marking a significant achievement in its tourism sector. This surge, he noted, reflects the strong relationship between the two countries and the rising demand for travel to Malaysia. Looking ahead, Malaysia aims to attract 1.4 million Indian tourists in 2025 and 1.6 million by 2026, as part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.

Supporting this growth, the visa-free entry policy for Indian travelers, which will remain in effect until 31 December 2026, has simplified travel to Malaysia. As a result, Malaysia has become even more accessible to Indian citizens, further encouraging visits to the country.

Feature image via Travel Weekly Asia

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