[hylianwarrior]

> I honestly can't understand why Google hasn't been able to replicate the success of iMessage

It's not because Google is doing a bad job, it's because Apple is doing a _great_ job.

Apple's framing of iOS as a luxury brand is why the "blue vs. green bubbles" type of sentiment has real impact within younger social circles.

[lawnchair_larry]

That has nothing to do with why Apple owners prefer blue bubbles. It’s because SMS is unreliable and restrictive. You can’t share files, some carriers truncate messages and send them as multiple messages, media formats are limited, group chats don’t work right, typing indicator doesn’t work, read receipts don’t work, etc. Green bubble does not mean lower status, it means a significantly degraded experience.

Some kids may act like those with green bubbles are not part of the in group, but this is done in jest. Kids do that with everything. My generation did it with video game consoles and sports teams. You had Sega people and Nintendo people. Nike vs Adidas. It wasn’t about status.

[mike00632]

Isn't there a clear solution in just using a non-sms app available to both Android and iPhone, like Messenger or WhatsApp?

[scyber]

from an iphone users perspective there is no problem that requires a solution. Since iMessage is installed by the default, and there is no need for another app. And with iOS being pretty dominant in the US, no other app is going to get the traction it needs on iOS to be a successful cross platform communications.

[mike00632]

Looks like Android has about 45% of the market in the United States. I actually thought it was higher.

http://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/united-stat...

I think the incompatibility is a bigger deal than you think it is. There is a need for a proper messaging app.

[earenndil]

Imessage comes with ios and is the same as the app you use for sms.