Why can't iOS, Android and WebOS work on a common platform for this iMessage, BBM and

[Tarzanman]

The beauty of iMessage is that there is virtually no setup. It autodetects if the other person is on an iOS 5 device & sends your message via iMessage instead of a text. The end user does nothing different, iOS does all the work.

Other platforms would have to rewrite their default texting app & if there was ever an update to iMessage, all the other platforms would have to update them. Basically, it would be a nightmare.

It's a nice competitive advantage Apple has over WP7, webOS & Android.

Lolwut? I guess you've never heard of Google Talk. The messages go everywhere that you're signed in with your Google account and all messages automatically logged for later retrieval (you can turn this feature off if you want).

Oh yeah, you can access it from your Android tablet, phone, or any web browser.

This means that I can start a chat with someone as i'm finishing up on the computer, continue the same conversation on my phone leaving my house, and finish the conversation on my computer at work. Seamlessly.

I'm sure that iMessage will be useful, but calling it a 'competitive advantage' is a bit of a stretch.

 

[FSMBP]

Lolwut? I guess you've never heard of Google Talk. The messages go everywhere that you're signed in with your Google account and all messages automatically logged for later retrieval (you can turn this feature off if you want).

Oh yeah, you can access it from your Android tablet, phone, or any web browser.

This means that I can start a chat with someone as i'm finishing up on the computer, continue the same conversation on my phone leaving my house, and finish the conversation on my computer at work. Seamlessly.

I'm sure that iMessage will be useful, but calling it a 'competitive advantage' is a bit of a stretch.

Well, let me know if Google Talk works worldwide; pretty sure GoogleTalk accounts aren't available outside NA. Also, having it baked in the default Messaging app in iOS is a competitive advantage.

Oh, last time I checked - no need to sign up for iMessage. Let me know when everyone has a GoogleTalk account by default when buying iOS devices.

"LOLwut, OMG, Fail, Winning" - kids these days...

 

[Tarzanman]

Well, let me know if Google Talk works worldwide; pretty sure GoogleTalk accounts aren't available outside NA. Also, having it baked in the default Messaging app in iOS is a competitive advantage.

Oh, last time I checked - no need to sign up for iMessage. Let me know when everyone has a GoogleTalk account by default when buying iOS devices.

Might I suggest educating yourself on a topic before you start discussing it?

Google Talk is *not* Google Voice (which is apparently what you're referring to). Google Voice is a US only phone service whereas Google Talk is a messaging service which is available worldwide.

Google Talk comes lock & stock with every port of Android, meaning it has had full integration in the OS since Android 1.0

FYI, you don't sign up for Google Talk either. It is part & parcel with having a GMail/Google account. You could use an Android phone without having a Google account or logging onto the phone with one, but many services and features would be unavailable on the phone as a result.

"LOLwut, OMG, Fail, Winning" - kids these days...

I know what you mean. Its a good thing you didn't open your mouth prematurely and say something incorre– Oh, wait yes you did.

How embarrassing.

 

[FSMBP]

Might I suggest educating yourself on a topic before you start discussing it?

Google Talk is *not* Google Voice (which is apparently what you're referring to). Google Voice is a US only phone service whereas Google Talk is a messaging service which is available worldwide.

Google Talk comes lock & stock with every port of Android, meaning it has had full integration in the OS since Android 1.0

FYI, you don't sign up for Google Talk either. It is part & parcel with having a GMail/Google account. You could use an Android phone without having a Google account or logging onto the phone with one, but many services and features would be unavailable on the phone as a result.


I know what you mean. Its a good thing you didn't open your mouth prematurely and say something incorre– Oh, wait yes you did.

How embarrassing.

I didn't know iOS users get a GMail account when they buy their device & is built into iOS Messaging app - oh wait, it's not, lolwut.

Yes, I did confuse Google Talk & Google Voice. Either way, my original argument still stands that having something built into iOS default messaging app (with no user setup) is a competitive advantage (ex. see how Facetime works).

 

[Tarzanman]

I didn't know iOS users get a GMail account when they buy their device & is built into iOS Messaging app - oh wait, it's not, lolwut.

What are you trying to say here? I don't use an iphone everyday, but it is my understanding that every iPhone user needs an iTunes account to access all of the features on the phone. Android and Google/Gmail accounts function similarly with a few differences... like

-no software is needed to set up or sync the device (you can create a google account when you first log into the phone)

and just so you understand (because you obviously haven't spent much time using android), Google talk is built into android as a service. It is also available via a menu applet on the Gmail web page and a stand-alone program for desktop computers.

Yes, I did confuse Google Talk & Google Voice. Either way, my original argument still stands that having something built into iOS default messaging app (with no user setup) is a competitive advantage (ex. see how Facetime works).

Having a google account gives you automatic, built-in access to google talk, calendar, gmail, and most google apps. Set up is only required for certain special opt-in services or beta services like Google Voice, Google Music, and Picasa (though picasa might be automatic now). Basicallly, anything that might cost you money requires separate activation.

I haven't looked at an iMessage demo yet, but my understanding is that it currently only allows messaging between iOS devices. Maybe 'competitive disadvantage' would be a better word to describe this limitation.

There's nothing wrong with having a preference, but maybe you should stop being a fan-boy and open your eyes. There's nothing advantageous about Apple's half-copy of BBM and Google Talk.

 

[kalex]

There seems to be a confusion about accounts and differences between IOS and google. People keep talking about "it just works". no it doesn't just work magically. Everything on IOS is tied to your itunes account. Same way everything on Google is tied to your gmail account. So when ios user signs in with his itunes account and opens imessage app its not magically pre configured and ready for you but it uses your itunes account for authentication, configuration and your buddy list.
Its done same way on Google by using your Google account. Nothing magical or not automated. It works same exact way as it does on IOS.

I for one would love to see inter operating system standards. Of course companies will hate it and nobody would implement it without some sort of agreement or mandate but as a consumer I would love to see this happen.

Actually that brings me to a good point. I use mac OS and android phone and also have ipad. I use all devices and computers equally and I really really hate it to be locked down to a particular platform.
I do everything in my power to minimize my inablitly to switch. And in this case google really helps me. I have no issues syncing my mac, ipad and android phone to google. Also I'm real careful in buying applications and always try to buy something that will not lock me down either to windows or mac. case in point I use lightroom instead of iphoto and I use office instead of iwork simply because both exist on mac and windows and if i decide to switch I have nothing stopping me. Same way I use google talk simply because it works on both platforms including mobile devices.
BTW google works perfectly on my ipad, android and macos so it does integrate into devices and computers.

On my mac I have mail app, contacts and calendar connected to google mail, google contacts and google calendar.
on ipad I use exchange sync to sync my ipad to my google stuff
on android I use my gmail account

i would love to see services that work across different manufacturers, operating systems and mobile devices as it only benefits consumers.