Even iPhone users don't use iMessage in Europe. Even if you and your friend have iPhones you'd still use WhatsApp.
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Apple's Rationale for Not Bringing iMessage to Android Revealed in Legal Documents
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Honestly, I forgot that even existed, because it seems so rare. However I will expect (and I don't know for sure) that it is a lesser version than version in a GM vehicle as it is not likely integrated into the ECU. Also, that only will work on an old vehicle...as newer one have all kinds of safety/tech stuff built into their mirrors and therefor can't be changed and therefore, not compatible. I guess that point is, as a company, you want to create a distant product that nobody else can get unless you buy their product. That is what innovation and capitalism is all about.....and copyright/patent. Now I have this distinct product and you can't do the same, without inventing your own. My Subaru has "StarLink", Subaru's equivalent, however it is not comparable with the GM OnStar. Are we going to get to the point where governments are going to say that they all need to be compatible? So it I have an OnStar subscription and I get a Subaru, I have to cancel one product and get another. That was mainly my point. I think you need to look at the ecosystem around the product you buy, before you buy it and make sure it has a things that you want. That is why I use Apple products for everything, the ecosystem of iOS, MacOS, watch, etc.Except you can get OnStar in non-GM vehicles... OnStar saw a demand and created a product called OnStar FMV.
You can retro fit almost any car with it.
Companies will create products for a market if they see a profit potential.
Apple doesn't see that with iMessage. Which is fine and perfectly legal.
They could make it a subscription based service, but it's been surpassed by other free clients with regards to features, so there really wouldn't be any compelling reason for someone to pay for an inferior product.
I had not intention to dive into one specific product, that was just the first example that came to mind.
Apple Music costs money. Messages would just be resource drain on Apple and it would also mean integrating with an Android store so people can buy sticker packs and the like. Why would Apple go to all that effort and then the hassle of trying to make Android phones automatic route SMS to and from it in all their various forms, all for no income.
I wonder if the mindset is a bit different now, especially with the start of shifting to services. Iphone users can use iMessage for free, but Apple can charge a subscription fee for the use of the service on Android.
Apple is missing a boat here. Imo Apple should've released a paid iMessage on Android during the backlash against whatsapp privacy policy changes. Back then, I'm seeing some of my friends are considering signal, with few even willing to donate to Signal. There's a market of people on Android who starting to care about privacy. Seems like a potential fruit Apple can pick, but they didn't.
Apple is missing a boat here. Imo Apple should've released a paid iMessage on Android during the backlash against whatsapp privacy policy changes. Back then, I'm seeing some of my friends are considering signal, with few even willing to donate to Signal. There's a market of people on Android who starting to care about privacy. Seems like a potential fruit Apple can pick, but they didn't.
I suppose this strategy worked with me. I had switched to Android from Iphone while the rest of my family still had Iphones. In group texts, I would often not receive them as I was the only Android user. All of them were, of course, Imessages. Sometimes, they would translate over and sometimes not. Annoying, but I could live with it.
Then, in 2016, my grandson drowned in a tragic swimming pool accident. Because the two platforms did not play well together, I missed many of the messages about what was happening and did not even find out about it for a while later. Needless to say, I was angry, very angry. I actually blamed Apple (and still do) for the failure, but I had to make the decision that I did not want to miss another important message from family, so switched back.
Don't get me wrong. I love my Iphone, but honestly, Apple and Google should figure out a way for this not to happen. I had gone through all the steps of making sure my number was no longer in the Imessage system, but it did not make a difference.
It is one of the reasons that I can't even begin to consider Android again (not that I want to, anyway).
Then, in 2016, my grandson drowned in a tragic swimming pool accident. Because the two platforms did not play well together, I missed many of the messages about what was happening and did not even find out about it for a while later. Needless to say, I was angry, very angry. I actually blamed Apple (and still do) for the failure, but I had to make the decision that I did not want to miss another important message from family, so switched back.
Don't get me wrong. I love my Iphone, but honestly, Apple and Google should figure out a way for this not to happen. I had gone through all the steps of making sure my number was no longer in the Imessage system, but it did not make a difference.
It is one of the reasons that I can't even begin to consider Android again (not that I want to, anyway).
Maybe so but if you send an iMessage with a picture and it goes as an SMS then you have to pay. Using WhatsApp is so much less hassle and free. Seriously, in the media etc everybody talks about WhatsApp groups etc - it is the messaging system in the UK.
Apple has always claimed that it's "walled garden" limitations are made with the rationale of safeguarding its users' privacy and security. Epic is arguing that this is only a facade and Apple has ulterior motives, in the case of iMessage locking users into their ecosystem by making it less practical to use other ecosystems.
So far, nothing is "illegal": Apple has definitely the right not to port iMessage to other platform, but I guess Epic's main goal was to build up its argument that Apple's ecosystem limitations can be decided not in the interest of the users but to protect Apple's business foremost.
Oh, I see. I still don't see how Epic has any chance of winning this lawsuit though. Seems they've just hurt themselves by getting Fortnite kicked off with idea that they are some kind of "freedom fighters" against big bad Apple. Anyways didn't Epic try to start its own monetized App store? Epic doesn't hate walled gardens, they want one of their own.
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I tried Android, I liked it but the two major reasons I returned to an iPhone was privacy and iMessenger. So maybe they are on to something.
In other news water is wet. This makes perfect sense for Apple to try and keep its customers. My Mom is the only person left in my family that has and Android and she is strongly considering getting an iPhone next so she is no longer left out of things like iMessage, Apple Pay, and AirDropping files.
Epic's argument is that Apple's walled garden limitation which prohibits installing applications outside of the Apple's App Store is not made mainly with the rationale of protecting the users' privacy and security but first and foremost to protect Apple's own App Store from competition.
Epic needs to successfully argue that Apple has enough market power to be able to distort competition and that said limitation is indeed unfair to competitors if they want to prevail. Whether Epic will be successful or not is too early to say IMHO.
You clearly don’t have a clue as to the convenience and privacy that comes with using iMessage.
Every company seeks to “lock” customers in. Rewards programs, exclusive features and content, etc.
You can use all kinds of messaging apps on any given device. If you do desires, you could release a messaging app on the App Store with no in app purchases, and make customers sign up via your own site to keep all the profits.
Epic is just wanting special treatment, which they aren’t entitled to. What if some other company said that Epic’s game was so massive that not allowing other developers to make in-game content available for purchase in Fortnite was wrong?
I just don’t get the big deal with Epic games here.
You can use all kinds of messaging apps on any given device. If you do desires, you could release a messaging app on the App Store with no in app purchases, and make customers sign up via your own site to keep all the profits.
Epic is just wanting special treatment, which they aren’t entitled to. What if some other company said that Epic’s game was so massive that not allowing other developers to make in-game content available for purchase in Fortnite was wrong?
I just don’t get the big deal with Epic games here.
I happen to like iMessage, think it's good for my needs and have no desire to leave, but the answer here is easy. Convenience almost always beats quality.
The iPhone 10 and up allows for physical SIM and e-sim. I've have had 2 SIMS for a while and you can easily switch numbers you send/call from you can even assign different out going numbers to your contacts.
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I use both Signal and iMessage, but Signal for calls is terrible. FaceTime video and audio provide great call quality.
I think Epic is out of their mind by saying that because android also have its version of iMessage. if you can bring this on to apple then this can be easily defend just by show them the proof that android have the same thing that they didn't bring it to apple either. People with Android phones in the United States will now be able to opt into the new texting service that Google calls Chat. The Android version of iMessage is ... People with Android phones in the United States will now be able to opt into the new texting service that Google calls Chat. The Android version of iMessage is based on a wireless standard called Rich Communication Services (RCS), and is supposed to replace SMS texts.
Obviously that's why. The security argument is mostly a farce.
Yeah, I don't they're gonna succeed with that. Apple is not going to allow third-party stores, ever.
I'm also from Germany, and for my friends and family I use iMessage exclusively except for two people I chat with. For those I use Telegram. Never had WhatsApp, never will use it.