[zinekeller]

> All modern instant messaging services are centralised. This entire “Google runs RCS” debate is a straw man to deflect blame onto Google. Meanwhile, Apple is the party that doesn’t want anyone plugging into its walled garden.

And this is precisely why. If RCS services were being operated by any other company, even Amazon, there isn't that problem of "what if Google pulled this out again" and RCS might be more palatable to the point that Apple will be forced to integrate it. Instead, Google pushed RCS out because they knew that they screwed up Hangouts hard.