Microsoft CEO Would 'Welcome' Apple to Bring iMessage to Windows

[MacRumors]

Following his company's reveal of Windows 11, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sat down with The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern to discuss the next generation of Windows and the possibility of Apple bringing some of its services, such as iMessage, to Windows.

One major theme of Windows 11 is its openness to third-party app marketplaces and Microsoft's end goal of making the platform a center of creativity outside the bounds of its own Microsoft App Store. Windows 11 will allow users to run Android apps, but the integration with Windows and iPhone is lacking. In that regard, Nadella says Microsoft would "love to make sure that it works better," referencing the iPhone and Windows.

The CEO goes on to say that, like other companies, Apple is welcome to doing anything it wants on Windows, including bringing iMessage to the platform. iMessage has been a hallmark of Apple's devices, and despite the Cupertino tech giant partially opening FaceTime to Android and Windows later this year, iMessage remains an Apple product exclusive.

As part of the legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, court filings including internal emails between high-ranking Apple executives revealed that at one point in time, Apple had considered bringing iMessage to Android.

According to the emails, the executives felt that bringing iMessage to a competing platform "would simply serve to remove [an] obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones." While not explicitly stating Windows, Apple bringing iMessage to its largest computer competitor could be a business disadvantage.

Article Link: Microsoft CEO Would 'Welcome' Apple to Bring iMessage to Windows

 

[exmophie]

So if Android ever gets iMessage, technically Windows does too 🤔

 

[macsplusmacs]

I'm sure he would.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

The only way this happens is if Apple are forced to do it or something else dramatically changes their market position.

 

[JCCL]

I'm sure he would.

That would actually benefit Apple more than Microsoft if they want to push iMessage utilization. Outside of the US no one uses it, and prefer to use Whatsapp or other platforms instead of having to guess what kind of phone or computer your recipient has.

 

[827538]

"One major theme of Windows 11 is its openness to third-party app marketplaces and Microsoft's end goal of making the platform a center of creativity outside the bounds of its own Microsoft App Store."

What a bizarre statement. Windows has always been open to third party app marketplaces. Look at Steam for one example.

This is just lazy corporate smack talking.

What this really translates to is "we're jealous of Apple's revenue on their App Store and our own attempt was a failure so we're going to try undermining Apple with this meaningless corporate platitude"

 

[Serban55]

now the CEO of Microsoft begs on Apple!?!

 

[exmophie]

I wonder if Microsoft is making so much money from selling Windows telemetry/usage data and Office365 enterprise subscriptions that undermining their own digital store’s revenue is an acceptable loss compared to just keeping users in the Windows desktop world.

 

[mi7chy]

Every few weeks iMessage has a new vulnerability where a sequence of characters DoS the device. No thanks. I'll stick with Google Voice.

 

[munpip214]

Considering that Apple ported iCloud keychain to Windows, I’m guessing they don’t think it’s a security issue. It is more likely just a user base loyalty Apple product marketing issue.

 

[dabi]

Too bad the Epic case has uncovered that the higher ups at Apple consider their walled garden a competitive advantage. It ain't happening.

 

[Sasparilla]

The only way this happens is if Apple are forced to do it or something else dramatically changes their market position.

I don't know, I don't see iMessage as a big driver of people choosing iPhone over Android. Privacy, yes, that's their big driver these days and that is there whether iMessage is on Android or not.

But they could port iMessage over to Android or even Windows without big marketshare jolts...JMHO of course.

The other angle in all this is that they may have kept it off Android so iMessage wouldn't have been the focus for the Government wanting a back door to it. That calculation may still be valid.

 

[dba415]

Remember, Apple only cares about your privacy when you communicate with other iPhone users, if you communicate with anyone else, they push you on the "unsecured" SMS!

 

[stars_fan]

As long as they give us a back door in

MS is bloatware garbage. Don’t fall for it Timmy

 

[bobbie424242]

"One major theme of Windows 11 is its openness to third-party app marketplaces and Microsoft's end goal of making the platform a center of creativity outside the bounds of its own Microsoft App Store."

What a bizarre statement. Windows has always been open to third party app marketplaces. Look at Steam for one example.

This is just lazy corporate smack talking.

What this really translates too is "we're jealous of Apple's revenue on their App Store and our own attempt was a failure so we're going to try undermining Apple with this meaningless corporate platitude"

It's about third party marketplaces integrated into the Microsoft store.
Something you will never see Apple doing unless being forced by law.

 

[visualseed]

And Steve Jobs welcomed Microsoft to bring Office to NeXT

 

[kycophpd]

"One major theme of Windows 11 is its openness to third-party app marketplaces and Microsoft's end goal of making the platform a center of creativity outside the bounds of its own Microsoft App Store."

What a bizarre statement. Windows has always been open to third party app marketplaces. Look at Steam for one example.

This is just lazy corporate smack talking.

What this really translates too is "we're jealous of Apple's revenue on their App Store and our own attempt was a failure so we're going to try undermining Apple with this meaningless corporate platitude"

Exactly what I came here to post. Only you wrote it quicker and better.

 

[podycust]

How about Microsoft when are you going to release the arm version of Windows so we can run it on our M1 Macs if we want?

 

[citysnaps]

Apple should allow this and charge Windows users a 5 cents per message fee.

 

[thadoggfather]

yes but would Tim Apple welcome it?

I think it would be nice on Windows personally.. since even though iMessage integration is a plus I hardly think its *the* reason people use a mAc vs a windows.

Vs. with iPhone vs. Android, perhaps it is

 

[Robert.Walter]

Everybody and their cousin is now trying to peel open apples products and services and take advantage of them for their own benefit.

I hope Apple hangs tough on fighting side loading and garden intrusions.

I would be happy if Apple would offer a full featured iMessage cross platform so I could ditch spy crap what’s app.

(All the coming security and privacy improvements are somewhat comprimised when one is forced to use what’s app to communicate with our android brethren. IMHO Apple made a big mistake by not buying WA and letting it go to FB.)

 

[Robert.Walter]

Apple should allow this and charge Windows users a 5 cents per message fee.

This business model did once exist LoL.

I’m at the station STOP
Will arrive your location 16:00 STOP
Love STOP

 

[bbplayer5]

iMessage is the reason why a lot of people stay with iPhones. Not going to happen.

 

[Franklin Klein]

It would be great for consumers...and a much better compromise to force onto apple than the ridiculous "default app" idea lawmakers are pushing for.

I don't think iMessages alone would make me consider going back to windows but one big reason I stay with Mac is it easily connects with all the other Apple products I own and I message on my Mac more than on my iPhone/iPad.

 

[Syk]

I wish there was an iMessage on Windows...
Would save me from having to pick up my phone to reply to messages while I'm doing something on my PC