Other iMessage and dumb question

[fitcious]

Alright, so when talking to friends or watching online reviews, I want to say a lot of people mention that one of the reason to stick with iOS is for iMessage.

Here’s my stupid question- I don’t understand how iMessage can make someone stay with iOS? I mean, I still prefer iOS because I like iOS more than Android due to security, ease of use and higher quality apps.

But regarding iMessage, can’t someone just use an app like WhatsApp or WeChat to chat? They are cross platform, so the argument of iMessage as the reason to stick with iOS is flaw? Aren’t those apps similar to iMessage?

Thanks!

 

[SDColorado]

I don’t know about WeChat, but the shortfall of WhatsApp for some, is that it is tied to a phone number. So therefore only available on your associated phone. You lose the continuity of being able to carry on the same conversation on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, etc. as you can with iMessage. Perhaps that’s not important to some, but it could be a deciding factor.

 

[DaveTheRave]

What makes iMessage so great is that it is very simple to use and has no ”friction”. If you want to send someone a message, it defaults to iMessage format. But if the recipient does have an Apple device, then it automatically falls back on old fashioned SMS. You don’t have to even think about it. And since everyone can do SMS, you don’t have to worry about whether or not the recipient has a specifnapp installed on their phone. It just works.

 

[rockitdog]

Ever receive a video from someone with an Android over MMS?

 

[DaveTheRave]

Ever receive a video from someone with an Android over MMS?

Yes, they are horrible. But that doesn’t mean it’s iMessage’s fault.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Another aspect of iMessage is its top of the line security encryption both ways.

 

[eyoungren]

One of the advantage of iMessage is that it's usable over WiFi.