I have no expectation that Apple will make iMessage available on non-Apple devices.
My point is that in the context of the current debate about WhatApp's new T&Cs and the question "what can I use instead of WhatsApp that won't infringe my privacy so much", comparing the two doesn't make sense because for the majority of people iMessage isn't even in the list of possible alternatives.
> comparing the two doesn't make sense because for the majority of people iMessage isn't even in the list of possible alternatives.
However, iMessage is absolutely in the list of possible alternatives for Apple customers, and they matter even if you're not one.
I know more than one person who switched to iPhone, at least in-part, because of social pressure about the green bubbles.
That's probably a lot easier than a lot of other choices for a lot of people can make.
> I have no expectation that Apple will make iMessage available on non-Apple devices.
I think you should be more suspicious of where you got the idea that Apple should be the one to make iMessage available on non-Apple devices, because clearly the only one who benefits from Apple not being on Android devices is Google.
I mean, if I can get a license to send/receive iMessages on non-Apple kit, then surely Google can, ffs.
> iMessage is absolutely in the list of possible alternatives for Apple customers
I'm an Apple customer, and iMessage isn't in the list of alternatives I can propose to my contacts. Because most of them aren't Apple customers. So I can't use it.
My point is that in the context of the current debate about WhatApp's new T&Cs and the question "what can I use instead of WhatsApp that won't infringe my privacy so much", comparing the two doesn't make sense because for the majority of people iMessage isn't even in the list of possible alternatives.