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Apple Has Created 'Detailed Mockups' of iMessage For Android (macrumors.com)
One of the biggest features on iOS that isn't available on Android is iMessage, an instant messaging service that allows users to send information over Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, and other forms of internet access to other iOS or OS X users. Earlier this year, there were been rumors swirling around the possibility of the service coming to Android due to Apple's increased focus on services, "which means opening up certain avenues beyond its own iOS and OS X platforms." Today, Daring Fireball's John Gruber has added fuel to the fire by mentioning that he's "heard from little birdies" that a handful of "detailed mockups" of iMessage for Android have been shared around Apple. MacRumors reports: The user interface of the Android app is said to have gone through numerous designs, from one that looks identical to the version on iOS, to another that has a "pure Material Design," using Google's design language it developed a few years ago. Gruber still thinks iMessage on Android "might happen sooner or later," mainly because of iMessage's new monetized Messages App Store, which could net Apple increased income in its already profitable services category if it translated the app to Android. Apple undoubtedly created mockups for all types of products and services, the vast majority of which never make it to release, and it's unclear exactly how far along the iMessage for Android preliminary designs were at the time of their circulation through Apple, or when exactly that occurred. Still, Gruber notes that while an Android version of iMessage "may never see the light of day," even the existence of such mockups "strongly suggests that there's no 'of course not' to it."
The competing product from Google and Facebook are both available on iOS and Android. Add to that the fact that Android owns so much more of the smart phone market than Apple.
Given both of those facts, Apple probably realizes that in order to keep their customers using this product instead jumping ship to something that is supported on both their platform and the most popular platform in the world, they have to offer their product(s) on that platform as well.
I don't get it. Doesn't iMessage transparently switch to SMS? How would using it make one bit of difference?
I want the freedom of choice that comes with an Android
That's what I love best about Android. I usually can pick what phone loaded with bloatware and carrier apps I can choose.
The biggest victory Apple scored in the negotiations was not allowing AT&T to touch the thing.