One of the big rumours going into WWDC 2016 was that Apple might open up iMessage and produce an Android app for it – that didn’t happen, although the iOS and macOS Messages apps did get a host of minor tweaks and upgrades.
Now an Apple executive has revealed the reasons why iMessage remains exclusive to the company’s devices – and it sounds like you shouldn’t be holding your breath for the software to make the leap to other platforms anytime soon.
It’s actually no surprise: the unnamed executive told Walt Mossberg at The Verge that keeping iMessage locked to Apple’s hardware helps shift more iPhones, iPads and Macs. Porting it to Android would mean one less reason to buy an iPhone 7.
What’s ‘app-ening?
The source also said that with over a billion active devices to work with, there’s plenty of data to dig into to improve the AI underpinning Apple’s messaging services. There’s no need for Apple to try and expand the number of users beyond that right now.
All of which makes sense for Apple, of course, but it pushes people with iPhones who want to chat to friends on Android (or vice versa) towards alternative, cross-platform solutions like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or even Google Hangouts. All of those apps work in a web browser too.
Still, it doesn’t seem to have done Apple much harm so far, so the company won’t be changing its mind for a long while. If you really want to run some Apple software on your Android device, you’re stuck with Apple Music for the time being.
Here’s our take on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro from Apple:
Source: techradar.com
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Apple can keep their iMessage and Facetime exclusives for all I care.
They offer me, or anyone else, nothing that Whatsapp and Skype don't offer. Both of which work on every platform going.
Whereas iPhone users have oddly seemed to have decided to use both iMessage and Whatsapp (plus Facebook Messenger). And Facetime and Skype.
I'd use Whatsapp and Skype even if I owned an iPhone. I know I'm not hindered using them.
Possibly but you have to also respect that Apple are not cringing at lack of sales because its inevitable for sustaining and increasing year on year. However the fact a million or two were sold compared to a year ago is hardly a demise its not even a dent more like a light scratch. They would have factored in action plans for when percentage points are missed etc.
The thing that would concern me is what almost destroyed them and many other large corporate's in the first place – Complacency.
What is a pity is Google hasn't done more to integrate Hangsouts into Android.
Leaving it as just an app has meant every OEM has ignored it and pushed it to the back of "their experience" in place of their own Android apps.
Google is an all over the place platform. Hangouts is fragmented and google plus is a mess, they simply cannot uniform their services.
Not sure they can because Android is a free for all OS as in open source for all and everyone who uses it. I think the EU fine you are eluding to is to do with the search engine itself which is a separate issue, as I understand it anyway.
I do not get what your point is? I use iMessage, Skype, Blackberry etc the only ones I will not use is Whatsapp & FBM because they are seriously security flawed and I do not do personal data collecting and ownership to a third party of my mobile number. All smart phones more or less have their own messaging apps, some have worked some have not.
Android is for the masses as it is loaded on most phones where as Apple owns their OS hence why it is better and more solid and yes sadly more expensive but its their own resources unlike android.
I also here rumours of Samsung ditching Android altogether for their own OS Tizen, that is going to be an OS market place game changer if they do!
Same principle; Microsoft got shafted because they had IE as default browser so Google could get the same if they baked in hangout etc.
The problem with google is that they seem confused on what apps they need to an extent most apps have more than one version of it, from chat apps, photos apps and even email apps. They want to please everyone which in the long run has allowed to dominate apps like to Whatsapp and Telegram to dominate a market they could have.
If they bake it into their OS then they will come under regulatory scrutiny; the EU is already trying to fine Google for making their searches default for android… I can assure you that WhatsApp/Facebook and all the other messenger providers will bring legal challenges if they make hangouts obligatory.
Microsoft once thought the same about Microsoft Office but in the end they were forced to open Office up to other platforms. And Office was always available for MacOS anyway.
Eventually Apple will bring it's services to other platforms as their IOS device sales are stagnating.
You still see plenty of iPhone 5 and 5S phones in the market. iPhone and iPad sales aren't what they once were.
Watch this space!