How would you feel about an Apple iMessage Social app on iPhone?

[Exxhara]

It could be called "iMessage Social" or something like that. The basic premise of the app would be basically an extension of iMessage to include a social aspect. The app would be limited to iPhone users as they're already authenticated by Apple offering the privacy and security Apple is known for. The app can be used to create groups/events with other iPhone users, discover trending news, topics, sports etc. using Apple Intelligence. You have a profile that you can choose to keep "Private" (only your contacts can follow you) or "Public" (other authenticated iPhone users globally can follow you, read your posts, view your photos etc).

In a nutshell, it'll be a Twitter-like iMessage social app but you know that you're conversing with an actual person since its backed by Apple's privacy and security promise, no bots or ads. Apple will essentially be using their global network of iPhones to make this feature work.

What do you think? Would you use it? Any other features you'd like to see? Is it viable and do you see Apple making something like this?

 

[Hele]

I think it’s cool, but I’d like to point out that having an iPhone (and hence iMessage) is the social app. iPhone/iMessage is the platform.

 

[maerz001]

They tried already with Ping.
Spoiler: its dead

 

[mansplains]

I’d like to see Phone, FaceTime, Contacts, Messages combined into one app with an updated UX before a social network. Third party messengers have all of these combined. There are some apps that should be single function, but the core communication apps would be better together, to me at least.

They tried already with Ping.
Spoiler: its dead

Ping bombed, but it wasn’t really a full social media platform. Ping was a music-sharing sidebar in iTunes, limited to playlists and artist follows without any real posting, feeds, or broad interactions. An evolution of iMessage would build on Apple’s actual social hit (private chats that billions already use) by adding optional feeds or group features in a way Ping never could, tied to photos, events, health/activity, etc.

 

[cateye]

Apple is just boomer enough to try something like this, and scratch their heads when it face plants, too.

 

[PandaPunch]

There would have to be some decent moderation, imo. And I mean human moderation, too many social media platforms will just allow some of the worst behavior and mindsets to fester.

Otherwise, without decent moderation, it would be unenjoyable at best and actively hostile at worst.

 

[maflynn]

Its not something I'd be interested in doing/participating.

As mentioned by @maerz001 Apple did try it:

Apple's Ping Social Network Is Actually Good, And It Has Huge Potential
How Apple Doomed Ping

 

[boswald]

Absolutely not. I don't need more "social" stuff in my digital life. If I want to talk to someone, I can call/text/go outside! Leave iMessage alone. Now get off my lawn!