Google criticized Apple for its iMessage messaging policy and accused it of deliberately portraying Android users as second-class citizens. We should also note that Apple is using the exclusivity of iMessage as one of the tools to boost iPhone sales.
The app’s exclusivity has become a status symbol among teens in the US and other countries, according to the source. In addition, messages from users of Android devices in iMessage have a green color; and from owners of gadgets based on iOS – blue. However, if it appears in a green bubble, it uses the less reliable SMS protocol; and probably comes from an Android smartphone. The problem is, young Americans often frown on these green bubbles, and some even pester their friends to buy an iPhone. It is noted that in some cases this is the reason for the pressure on teenagers who are forced to buy an iPhone in order not to look worse than others.
This is the view shared by some senior Google employees, including the company’s vice president of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer. He recently expressed confidence that peer pressure and intimidation are part of Apple’s documented strategy to boost iPhone sales.
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Google accused Apple of discriminating against Android users in iMessage
We got a confirmation of this by documents that were available during Apple’s recent lawsuit with Epic Games. According to them, Apple considered making iMessage available on Android; but ultimately the company concluded that it would “harm Apple more than it would benefit”. This interpretation of the current situation was mentioned in one of the letters of Apple CEO. Craig Federighi, Apple’s vice president of software development; also wrote that the availability of iMessage could remove the barrier for families where parents use iPhones; but buy Android devices for their kids.
According to Hiroshi Lockheimer, the refusal to adopt RCS is part of a strategy that uses fan behavior towards Android users to sell more iPhones; despite that marketing focused on “humanity and equity”. Indeed, thanks to the pressure exerted by their circumference; Apple would succeed in convincing the teenagers to buy an iPhone so as not to feel excluded from the “cool group”.
So many American teens feel that Apple’s iMessage service has become a way for iPhone users to show that they not only own an iPhone; but that they are part of a proprietary messaging platform. The Wall Street Journal even found in an investigation that a young girl’s sister “laughed at her for texting potential lovers using Android phones”, calling the green bubbles “Disgusting”. Instead of prohibiting the exchange of texts between iOS and Android devices; Apple preferred to make its messages blue to stand out from its rival.