Switching from iPhone to Android is one hell of a task. This is because of the main reason being iMessage. Apple’s popular messaging service always remains in demand by the Android universe. However, despite of several workarounds, Apple hasn’t release an official iMessage app for Android. Considering all this matter, Epic Games reach out for the justice. They files in the court stating that Apple’s executives are main reason behind the ecosystem lock-in.
Epic Games has some long time gremlins with the tech giant Apple over Fortnite’s ban. These are long time issues from last one year. According to latest court filling, Epic Games cites statement for Apple Executives is that they show some negative intentions for locking in its users into Apple ecosystem. This statement relates to some of the popular Apple services including iMessage service along with FaceTime and other Apple services, which are on high demand on Android platform.
iMessage for Android: Apple locking-in its customers
In the court filing, Epic Games shares some interesting points made by some of the renowned Apple executives. These points are
1. The most difficult reason to leave the Apple universe app is iMessage. “iMessage amounts to serious lock-in”, says unnamed Apple employee.
2. Phillip Schiller, an Apple Fellow states that “moving iMessage to Android will hurt us more than it helps us, this email illustrates the actual reason. Also Read: FAU-G brings multiplayer team Deathmatch Mode
3. Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering and executive in charge of iOS, states that “iMessage for Android would simply serve to remove an obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones”.
Support for iMessage on Android:
There are many other statements that also hints at Apple’s intentions to avoid developing iMessage and FaceTime for other platform. However, on the other hand Mr. Cue testifies that Apple could have made an Android specific version that could have worked with iOS as well. Thus, allowing cross-compatibility with iOS platform. With this Android specific app, users on both platform can easily exchange messages with one another seamlessly. To recall, Mr. Eddie Cue is the Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services at Apple.
The Epic Games in the court filing states that Apple could have bring this iMessage for Android and other platforms way back in 2013. Even though Steve Jobs always claim that FaceTime is an open industry standard. Still, Apple never launch it beyond iPhones, iPads and Macs. On the other hand, Federighi states that this is a horrible idea to make it easier for user to switch away from iOS platforms by eliminating all the Apple’s differentiations.
