iOS 10 Brings Payments, Stickers, Games, and More to iMessage

[satchmo]

As long as there is an option to disable, what's the big deal? If you don't like stickers, don't use it.

We complain about Apple's closed garden and once they open it up, we get more complaints.

IMO, this will be huge. It's big in Asia. With its presence in China, Apple has seen this first hand.

Strategically Apple is wise to grow the iMessage 'platform' with messaging exploding in worldwide usage.

 

[Planey28]

Yeah but I want all that stuff gone. I buy Apple stuff because it is clean and elegant, not because I want this mess.

So don't use it. Simple. Other people do want this kind of stuff.

 

[Anh1]

Among many iOS 10 announcements made at WWDC yesterday, one notable update to Apple's mobile operating system came in the form of third party developer support in Apple's iMessage chat platform. With the new SDK, developers can create app extensions -- similar to third party keyboard apps available now on the App Store -- that let users interact with apps from directly within Messages.

Following its announcement at the keynote, the developer of Square Cash [Direct Link] shared a little bit more information about how their payments service works as an app extension for Messages. Once a user has Square Cash installed, they can find it with their other apps in the new iMessage "App drawer." From there, "Just swipe up to pick an amount and attach it to a message. One tap to deposit it!" The iMessage App is still limited by Square Cash's own restraints, however, so international payment transfers are unavailable as of now.

iMessage Apps for Square Cash (left) and Disney stickers (right)​

During the keynote, Craig Federighi gave a demo of another iMessage app, DoorDash [Direct Link], collectively collaborating on a group lunch order without leaving Messages. Once he decided on his menu item and selected the quantity of the order, he shared his choice with a contact in Messages to add his lunch to the group ticket. Other entertainment-focused apps, like JibJab [Direct Link], grant users access to the iPhone's camera to place their faces on GIF-like videos to share with friends.

Although not specifically detailed, the iMessage App extensions for already-existing apps, like Square Cash, will presumably be free upgrades for users who already own or have downloaded the base apps. On Apple's developer site, a heavy emphasis is placed on the "purchase" of various sticker packs, however, suggesting that the various Disney and other brand-related stickers will not be free to download.

Not many other iMessage Apps have been detailed by Apple and developers yet, but wording on the developer beta site mentions users will be able to "share content, edit photos, play games, send payments, and collaborate with friends." While some might be similar in execution to third-party keyboards in iOS 9, now that Apple has granted developer access to its Messages platform, it'll be interesting to see what new kind of shortcuts and message-enhancing features come out of the new App Store for iMessage.

Anyone who needs to catchup with the WWDC keynote -- or if you just want a refresher -- can do so by watching MacRumors' 7-minute recap video. Likewise, our iOS 10 tidbits post has more information on iMessage updates, individual read receipts, the ability to remove pre-installed apps, and more.

Article Link: iOS 10 Brings Payments, Stickers, Games, and More to iMessage

Offtopic, please "raise to wake" only work on "s" Iphones? I have ip6 and this feature dont work

 

[KALLT]

View attachment 635869

Maybe I completely missed it, but are icon shapes changing?

No. Believe it or not... iMessages now has an iMessage App Store. That's right, a dedicated App Store within Messages. This is why I believe the poster above was right about saying that Messages could become the next iTunes. Instead of an app, it is now a platform on a platform. It needs to be able to do all this additional stuff now, bloating the underlying code and introducing lots of complexity and potential for bugs. I am really not thrilled.

iMessage in fact still has several security holes that Apple has not commented upon yet. Their encryption scheme is also completely closed-sourced.

 

[tyr2]

In the presentation when they announced there was going to be an API I suddenly hoped for a multi protocol messaging client, where folks like WhatsApp, SnapChat etc.. could integrate directly into iMessage. Sort of like how iChat supported Jabber and AIM and iChat.

However with what was announced it doesn't look like you could write a messaging client on top of iMessage, and realistically the 3rd parties probably wouldn't want to integrate like that anyway. I suspect they would be too keen to keep folks within their own application environment.

 

[blacktape242]

STICKERS!!!!! OH BOY!!!!!!

 

[MrGimper]

You've not heard the rumours about Fisher Price and Tomy bidding for Apple, have you ....

 

[JimmyHook]

For those that don't like the new features, they are easy to ignore. Power users will appreciate the ability for third-party integration. I could potentially operate a whole OS from that app with the right extensions. It's actually very slick!!!
[doublepost=1465920068][/doublepost]

Just switch to Whatsapp. I have high hopes they'll never implement stupid crap like that.

WhatsApp is a tad convoluted for my taste. No SMS integration
[doublepost=1465920124][/doublepost]

As long as there is an option to disable, what's the big deal? If you don't like stickers, don't use it.

We complain about Apple's closed garden and once they open it up, we get more complaints.

IMO, this will be huge. It's big in Asia. With its presence in China, Apple has seen this first hand.

Strategically Apple is wise to grow the iMessage 'platform' with messaging exploding in worldwide usage.

Exactly. People on this site complain about everything regardless of merit

 

[MH01]

Disappointed in the iMessage app, but I'm not the target audience here.

 

[timeconsumer]

For those that say you don't have to use these new "features" I have some questions.

Can you disable stickers and emoji's?
Can you disable the text to emoji highlight?
Can you disable receiving and sending the background effects?
Can you disable receiving and sending the bubble effects?

In my opinion, they are taking a simple chat application and making it more convoluted. But if I can configure it to be exactly how it is currently (I don't have an emoji keyboard installed and it looks extremely simple/basic) then I don't really care. Apple would be stupid to ignore this market, this will probably sell a lot more iPhones to the younger crowds.

This will be fun trying to explain to my parents how the new messaging app works though...

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

Can you disable stickers and emoji's?
Can you disable the text to emoji highlight?
Can you disable receiving and sending the background effects?
Can you disable receiving and sending the bubble effects?

This ^^^.
And let me add.

What happened on the road to fundamentals and getting current behaviors spot-on, before embarking on further feature obfuscation?

I am a heavy user of imessage for not-so-realtime exchange with my wife, when one of us is traveling.

But I have found that iMessage fails to sync amongst our different mobile devices and our MBPs: sometimes our iPhones get the bubbles, and our MBPs never do; and sometimes just the opposite; or even worse, sometimes neither. This behavior is not a one-time mishap.

That is on Apple.

 

[JohnApples]

I think it's interesting how some of the people who were defending the rMB's one port by saying "if you don't like it than you're not the target market" are now complaining about the new iMessage features. Guess who isn't the target market?

Apple knows what they're doing, even if we don't. I'm not too thrilled about stickers either, but when both my mom and sister freaked out about the stupid bubble animations, I knew that Apple wasn't making a mistake with this.

 

[augustrushrox]

Feature bloat, that's what this is. Apple doesn't know how to innvate in revolutionary ways anymore. They only play catchup with gimmicky features now. Oh how the mighty has fallen.

 

[Creek0512]

I get it, a lot of the stuff really displayed for iMessage seems gimmicky to me - I just won't use it. There is an entire generation of users who are about to need phones who will love those features. As much as I don't like those features, it would be stupid for Apple to ignore the large consumer base that want those features. I'm sure many at Apple weren't happy about it either, but guess who will be buying their phones soon.

More importantly, developer SDKs for iMessage, Maps, and Siri are what I've been waiting for. I'm thrilled. Why should I NEED a Grubhub app? Why should I have to throw my phone to my wife so she can look at the menu from my phone? The ability to complete group transactions from multiple devices or using Siri is only a small glimpse into the future these SDKs are about to usher in.

Don't get caught up in the gimmicks. This is big.

I disagree that it is a generational thing. My baby boomer Mom uses emoji all the time, and she's only had a smartphone for a year.

 

[Carlanga]

View attachment 635869

Maybe I completely missed it, but are icon shapes changing?

looks like that to fit more under

As long as there is an option to disable, what's the big deal? If you don't like stickers, don't use it.

We complain about Apple's closed garden and once they open it up, we get more complaints.

IMO, this will be huge. It's big in Asia. With its presence in China, Apple has seen this first hand.

Strategically Apple is wise to grow the iMessage 'platform' with messaging exploding in worldwide usage.

no way to disable it except turning your data off afaik

 

[greggyp00]

What happened to peer to peer Apple Pay?

I am just really hoping that this feature still makes it and the only reason they didn't announce it is bc of some ridiculous talking left to take care of between apple and the banks or something.

 

[C DM]

For those that say you don't have to use these new "features" I have some questions.

Can you disable stickers and emoji's?
Can you disable the text to emoji highlight?
Can you disable receiving and sending the background effects?
Can you disable receiving and sending the bubble effects?

In my opinion, they are taking a simple chat application and making it more convoluted. But if I can configure it to be exactly how it is currently (I don't have an emoji keyboard installed and it looks extremely simple/basic) then I don't really care. Apple would be stupid to ignore this market, this will probably sell a lot more iPhones to the younger crowds.

This will be fun trying to explain to my parents how the new messaging app works though...

It all basically still looks and works about the same as it does now.

 

[j2004p]

Everyone seems to be ignoring the payments via message which I think could be huge. Ok it's not peer to peer Apple Pay but I am still hoping that this could be coming in September.

Apps like PayPal, Barclays pingit and such would be great through iMessage

 

[itsmeaustend]

Everyone is so ungrateful. Get real, grow up, and if you don't like it make your own OS.

 

[mrhick01]

You (and I) might not get too excited about this stuff but a college student I know went nuts over the possibility of this.

For me the best option was the thumbs up on a message so that it doesn't create a whole new line.

Exactly. Anecdotally, I observed social media millennial responses and they love it.

Doesn't matter if some don't like it. There's emerging generations with money to spend and they like many of these features.

 

[lucasteng]

The only thing that worries me is the inline rich content that loads video from a link someone sends me. RIP my data.

It would have also been nice to see integration of other services, being able to send messages on other platforms through iMessage. They integrated it for VOIP, so why not messages?

 

[Creek0512]

You guys know you can disable iMessages now in current versions of iOS, and then your messages just send as SMS of MMS?

 

[MH01]

As long as there is an option to disable, what's the big deal? If you don't like stickers, don't use it.

We complain about Apple's closed garden and once they open it up, we get more complaints.

IMO, this will be huge. It's big in Asia. With its presence in China, Apple has seen this first hand.

Strategically Apple is wise to grow the iMessage 'platform' with messaging exploding in worldwide usage.

Agreed. They know what they are doing adding this crap to iMessage , while many of us do not like it, it's going to be a huge hit in Asia.

As long there is an option to disable it, I'll be okay with it. Though I suspect no such option will exists.
[doublepost=1465940576][/doublepost]

You guys know you can disable iMessages now in current versions of iOS, and then your messages just send as SMS of MMS?

Of course . But many of us would like to continue to send messages over iMessage instead of sms , not using up our sms allowance. And not have these extra options enabled . So the question will be, can things remain the same for many of us
[doublepost=1465940762][/doublepost]

I think it's interesting how some of the people who were defending the rMB's one port by saying "if you don't like it than you're not the target market" are now complaining about the new iMessage features. Guess who isn't the target market?

Apple knows what they're doing, even if we don't. I'm not too thrilled about stickers either, but when both my mom and sister freaked out about the stupid bubble animations, I knew that Apple wasn't making a mistake with this.

Id be very happy if they charged for an adapter to enable each of the new iMessage features. What scares me, unlike the MacBook , that it's free

You are correct , This will be a hit.

 

[emm386]

We went from "the customer doesn't know what he wants until he sees it" to "the customer doesn't want it as soon as he sees it" pretty fast.

Apple has completely lost it. or seems to mispredict who his customer base really is. or just doesn't care anymore.

 

[!!!]

I am so disappointed.
Downloaded the beta to see if this crap can be disabled. This crap is the reason I stay away from FB Messenger and all those others.
I want to send messages and share pictures quickly. That's all. You can't make messaging any better than that. Period.

I wish I could like that post a thousand times. I only want iMessage to send messages (and the occasional pictures). And I want it done quickly, versus waiting a minute for SMS messages (Sprint is crappy).

As other people have said, Apple devices/software is "clean and elegant", and providing so many features isn't user friendly. I feel like Apple is become desperate for new features.