Apple Explains Why iMessage Hasn't Expanded to Android

[WhatUp?]

Reminds me of when Google screwed iPhone users by deliberately withholding updates the their Maps app and then within days of Apple's Map app debacle, released a significant update.

 

[wigby]

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.

But they do it for Apple Music already. It's more of a business decision than a technical issue.

 

[The Martian]

There's only a few actual Android screen size categories. And heck, iOS programmers already have to deal with 3.5", 4", 4.7" and 5.5" (along with iPad sizes) displays.

As for the OS, what iMessage does can undoubtedly be handled by even the oldest versions.

The reason is much simpler: they'll lose customers if they supported iMessage elsewhere. Plus, with many times more Android devices out there, perhaps they're also worried about overloading their servers.

Working with the oldest version is probably one of their biggest concerns as their are a lot of known security flaws in the Android OS.

 

[C DM]

But they do it for Apple Music already. It's more of a business decision than a technical issue.

On the other hand, there's also this:

I don't see how an Android version could work without compromising the bulletproof end-to-end encryption that Apple touts for iMessage. Apple can't control what happens on Android phones at the OS level.

I don't see them doing this, ever.

 

[dugbug]

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

Oh good lord the dumb ...

 

[Speedy2]

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

Now that the two major consoles are basically PCs this won't last much longer.

It runs on my Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

That's cross-platform enough for me.

You do realize it's not about YOU, but about the fact that this is a 10-20% bubble. And that this is a real issue for a communication channel if 80-90% can't be reached by it.

 

[wigby]

I've no idea in what country do you live, but I can reassure you that this is not true anywhere in Europe where Whatsapp is ubiquitous.

Any messaging system that is not compatible with Android is completely useless.
Would you buy an iPhone if you could only use it to make calls to other iPhones?
Right, I thought not...

How is SMS not compatible with SMS? The only thing you lose is ability to go through iCloud which doesn't count against text limits. Not sure why anyone cares.

 

[Karma*Police]

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

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

I don't know about that. Now that iMessage is open to developers, they can sell stickers and other effects via in-app purchases.

They can also accelerate Android switchers by getting them hooked on iMessage with all its security and privacy benefits and ensure iOS users get the latest features first.

Lastly, they hurt the competition by depriving them of their oxygen.. users and user data... Conversely, all of that data will flow to Apple, helping them to improve their product that much more.

I don't know what the right answer is but I do think there's a case to be made for opening up iMessage to other platforms.

 

[Speedy2]

I don't see how an Android version could work without compromising the bulletproof end-to-end encryption that Apple touts for iMessage. Apple can't control what happens on Android phones at the OS level.

I don't see them doing this, ever.

End-to-end encryption has to be applied at the END of the communication chain, hence the name. And at the end of the chain there's always the app not an OS. If the app encrypts properly, there nothing that any OS could do to harm the encryption.

Btw, works very well for Whatsapp, Telegram, Threema etc.

 

[RedOrchestra]

Btw, works very well for Whatsapp, Telegram, Threema etc.

Well if all those Apps work so well for you, why do you need iMessage?

 

[Speedy2]

Incorrect. What you say requires that the definition of superior has only a single dimension: cross-platform or not.

The notion of superiority almost certainly involves many dimensions, and each may have a different weight depending on its importance.

Jeez. Simple logic guys. Simple logic. You're negating it wrong.
What he says is that a cross-platform product is automatically superior to the same product, single platform.
And of course he's absolutely right!

 

[C DM]

Jeez. Simple logic guys. Simple logic. You're negating it wrong.
What he says is that a cross-platform product is automatically superior to the same product, single platform.
And of course he's absolutely right!

Superior based on what measurement? Are we talking simply about how many people can use it and that's it? What if by being single-platform it can be better in various ways (like offering true end-to-end encryption or something else of that nature) than by being cross-platform? The logic is indeed pretty simple in that the measurement of superiority is not as simplistic as simply applying one criteria that one wants and that's it.

 

[ke-iron]

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

Look for new friends.

You're absolutely right, I honestly don't like to use any third party messaging app, and if the person doesn't have an iPhone with iMessage I don't like to text them. In fact I don't initiate conversation with people who don't have an iPhone. Look for new friends is the right thing to do lol

 

[Speedy2]

They already do... it's called SMS/MMS.

Geez guys, you'd think that you couldn't msg people on Android phones through the Message app. So what if the bubbles are green and not blue. What more do you need? Stickers, SFX, etc.? Just send your msg (or pic) and move on.

Yeah right MMS. Like they were ever a thing.

SMS are dead and they aren't and never have been a replacement for a modern messenger. You can't send pictures, videos or voice messages. They still cost money for many people and for international texting. There are no group chats etc etc.
SMS just suck big time and people have moved on years ago.

 

[The Martian]

Now that the two major consoles are basically PCs this won't last much longer.



You do realize it's not about YOU, but about the fact that this is a 10-20% bubble. And that this is a real issue for a communication channel if 80-90% can't be reached by it.

How can 80-90% not be reached? I can use iMessage to talk to other Apple users or to Android or Windows phone users. I've never had a problem texting anyone on any platform that supports texting.

 

[DevNull0]

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

True, but if iPhone market share continues the way it's going, Apple will have to release iMessage for android just because too many of the people you want to communicate with won't be on iPhones.

Same thing happened with blackberry and BBM.

 

[apple_iBoy]

Wow, the iPhone was around in the early '90s? Where have I been? Back then I was using a MOTO StarTac (and not on ATT) and I could have been using a smart phone? Bummer.

No genius, I was pointing out that not everyone has unlimited text in the USA (like you pointed out in your original post).

...and BTW, that grandfathered plan was from my first iPhone (the 3G), and I kept it going even after they stopped offering it. I felt (at the time) unlimited data was more important than unlimited msgs.

Count me in as another unlimited data user with no SMS plan. I do the same thing you did — iMessage for another whose number comes up blue, Google Voice for anyone else

 

[Speedy2]

All you need is an Apple ID and an email account and you can use any Apple device for iMessage - don't need a smartphone or phone plan.

The thing is, the amount of people on this earth without an Internet enabled phone is approaching zero very fast. People with computers or tablets are rare birds compared to that.

 

[falainber]

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

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

It's not that simple. In order for iMessage to help generate sales for Apple it should be used and wanted. Now let's look at two distinct markets: USA and everything else.

In US, iMessage is a big thing but can it push Apple market share any higher? Unlikely. iPhone share in US is probably as high as it gets (because of iPhones high prices and other factors)

Outside US, iOS devices represent small fraction of the market. As a result people just can't use iMessage over there and opt to use alternative services (WhatsApp etc.). Not being a cross-platform service iMesage is not a viable solution for anyone in these countries (even for iPhone owners) and therefore it can't generate additional sales.

I am not sure making iMessage cross platform service would help though. Probably not much. And that's why Apple is not doing it.

 

[RedOrchestra]

but if iPhone market share continues the way it's going

They're still selling over 200 million iPhones per year plus millions of other devices that can use iMessage - it'll be a long while before they start shaking in their boots.

 

[Zirel]

Apple is opening iMessage to Android just like they will did allow syncing with iTunes with non-iPods.

Want Apple software? Buy Apple hardware?

The alternatives are not good for making money on consumer software (monopoly like Microsoft, monetising user data like Big Brother and Facebook).

 

[Mactendo]

While that's true, it's also quite a bit short-sighted.
Whatsapp has nearly zero revenue but is still worth 20 billion USD, for very good reasons. It's because in a few years, no one will use iMessage or old school texts anymore because virtually EVERYONE will use Whatsapp because virtually EVERYONE has it. It's already happening in Europe und the US will be next.

Texts are only the beginning, phone calls are next. Facetime never took off and never will. Skype will probably be the next major victim of Whatsapp.
Even Google has realized all that, but too late. Now they are pushing Allo really hard, but my guess it'll be a dud just like Google+

You have to be big as quickly as possible, and then you'll dominate the globe for a long time. There's no space for runner-ups in this kind of economy.

What I'm trying to say: Apple had a huge chance to establish iMessage as THE platform for communication while the iPhone was on the rise like they did it with the iTunes Store, but they blew it big time. Now that Android has won the marketshare battle, it's game over and too late. Even porting it to Android now wouldn't help iMessage. Where's the benefit for Whatsapp users? There is none. Whatsapp is far superior in most respects. Apple is caught in this thinking that the big money is only in the hardware. That brought them a lot of success but now to a dead end while Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft realized that hardware will be commoditized in the long run and that you'll have to have strong dominating services.

Agree with the first half of your post. But Apple still has a chance, there's place for other messengers, especially if you look into Asia.
Apple is copying WeChat, where you can buy stuff, order taxi and do other things right inside the app. It's a platform, not just a messaging app, while Whatsapp is still just a messenger and can't do such stuff right now.

I'm pretty sure they'll announce Android version this autumn, they can't be so dumb.

 

[wolfaaron]

I had no idea that imessages was still a paying point to people. Everyone I know is using a cross platform messaging app.

 

[RedOrchestra]

The thing is, the amount of people on this earth without an Internet enabled phone is approaching zero very fast. People with computers or tablets are rare birds compared to that.

I'm not sure why you care about all this since you seem so happy using Facebook's privacy mining WhatsApp and leave us Apple users and our family and friends to iMessage.

 

[Zirel]

No they wouldn't. iOS has more customer loyalty than Android does. This is a fact.

This.

And I will add, iOS has more costumer loyalty than Android does... worldwide.

Most iPhone users live in countries where iMessage is not a big deal (Europe, China, etc.), it's only a big deal in the US.
[doublepost=1466120619][/doublepost]

Doesn't Apple just rent servers from Google like they do for iCloud?

They have their own servers for iCloud, and they rent servers for content distribution (videos, apps, music).

17.0.0.0/8 is all theirs.