Apple Explains Why iMessage Hasn't Expanded to Android

[MacRumors]

In a wide-ranging commentary piece about WWDC 2016, tech journalist Walt Mossberg included an interesting bit about why Apple has not expanded iMessage to competing software platforms like Android.

When I asked a senior Apple executive why iMessage wasn't being expanded to other platforms, he gave two answers. First, he said, Apple considers its own user base of 1 billion active devices to provide a large enough data set for any possible AI learning the company is working on. And, second, having a superior messaging platform that only worked on Apple devices would help sales of those devices -- the company's classic (and successful) rationale for years.

Last week, a questionable rumor surfaced claiming that Apple planned to announce iMessage for Android at WWDC 2016, but the keynote passed without any mention. Apple's executive team evidently views iMessage as a big enough selling point to keep it exclusive to Apple devices like the iPhone and Mac for now, despite Android having over 1.4 billion active users worldwide as of September 2015.


Article Link: Apple Explains Why iMessage Hasn't Expanded to Android

 

[Razeus]

But wait...Apple doesn't collect user data!

 

[JonneyGee]

It's probably better this way anyway. How would we judge Android users if not for the green bubbles?

 

[bmunge]

But wait...Apple doesn't collect user data!

You're confusing analytics with data tied to a specific user.

 

[Oldfash33]

Doesn't android have a message app?

 

[Michael Scrip]

But wait...Apple doesn't collect user data!

Perhaps Apple collects user data for their own uses... but they don't sell it to 3rd-parties for advertising purposes.

Thoughts?

 

[chrismail627]

Apple knows if they released iMessage for Android they'd lose customers. Simple as that really. There's much more cons than pros for Apple to let Android users use iMessage.

 

[IJ Reilly]

How does Apple monetize iMessage except by using it to help sell their own hardware?

They can't. End of the need to theorize.

 

[hipnetic]

Doesn't android have a message app?

In fact, they have about seven of them.

 

[LordQ]

I can't use iMessage at all because most of my friends rely on WhatsApp

 

[H3boy]

What I want is iMessage for Windows.

 

[keysofanxiety]

It's mainly due to fragmentation. You see, Android devices have a lot of different screen sizes, and screen resolutions. They have different hardware specifications, and they run different operating systems.

Now, put yourselves in the shoes of the poor Apple programmer faced with this. They have to optimise iMessage emojis and animations for all of those products, to ensure the size and obnoxiousness are consistent on any device.

 

[H3boy]

I can't use iMessage at all because most of my friends rely on WhatsApp

My condolences...

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

If it isn't cross-platform it is by definition inferior.

 

[hipnetic]

Apple knows if they released iMessage for Android they'd lose customers. Simple as that really.

In fact, it was one of the things I missed most when trying out an Android phone for a couple of months. Regular SMS functionality is all I really need, but the killer feature is being able to use my MacBook to send/receive messages. There are some 3rd party apps for Android that have a component that can run on your MacBook and they work fine when they're working, but I found them to be occasionally unreliable.

 

[nviz22]

As much as I wanted iMessage on Android, let's be real, Apple will not give away one of their biggest advantages. People own iPhones just because of iMessaging. I for one think it's the best feature on my iPhone.

 

[big-ted]

I can't use iMessage at all because most of my friends rely on WhatsApp

Ditto with Whatsapp. Whatsapp is far better as its multi platform, never use iMessages as all my friends have Androids

 

[djcerla]

If it isn't cross-platform it is by definition inferior.

Bull.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I can't use iMessage at all because most of my friends rely on WhatsApp

Look for new friends.

 

[organisum]

delete

 

[coolfactor]

It works, this plan sells devices. I want to use iMessage and FaceTime with my Android-toting friends, but I can't. However, I have purchased or sent Apple devices to a special few. And the experience has been superior to Skype and the other chat apps.

 

[Kaibelf]

If it isn't cross-platform it is by definition inferior.

Many applications aren't cross platform, including AAA games.

 

[jasonklee]

Anyone who buys an iPhone just for iMessage is someone who doesn't deserve to use any technology. It's beyond comprehension why Apple would use resources to enhance something so banal and useless such as an instant messaging app instead of fabricating real features like the ability to force quit all apps at once. Priorities, Apple. Get them straight.

 

[bushido]

i have literally one person using iMessage, everyone else is using WhatsApp and i hate it.

I tried to force people to reply to me on iMessage but they are always like ooooops i didnt see ur msg cuz "that app" is hidden on page xy of my iPhone.

however i have to say sending pictures through iMessage is a pain in the ass, so slow compared to WhatsApp and also data hungry cuz it sends the HQ thing

 

[Derekuda]

That's fine. As an Android user, I find Skype vastly superior for both Video chat and messaging. But like most Americans, I use standard SMS 99% of the time.
ALSO, people here in the USA are pretty dumb when it comes to messaging in general. They all have unlimited texting (which is pretty impossible not to have even on prepaid plans) but use iMessage which counts against their data caps just so they can see the three little dots when people type.

EDIT: Google Hangouts is also great for messaging, but like I said before, most people just use SMS.