2y ago

9to5Google: iMessage for Android doesn't matter, just use good apps

9to5google.com

I don't want iMessage for Android – I just want everyone to use good messaging apps

10 comments

The elephant in the room, of course, is that this is literally only a problem in the United States. Everywhere else in the world, folks are totally fine using messaging apps. WhatsApp is pretty popular worldwide, and there are regional favorites too. But, the point is, it’s only in the States that people seem to be against this idea. The answer for why is very much up for debate, but the conversation is, at this point, just getting exhausting.
Can confirm, as a Brit. We probably would have a sardonic explanation for why only people in the States are against using other messengers too...
- I went to great lengths to get my family group chat migrated from FB Messenger over to WhatsApp, and then Meta bought WhatsApp. I'm doomed. I'll never get these Americans to transition to something like Signal
- I'm Canadian and use a ton of messaging services. It had honestly become ridiculous until I started using Beeper!
- Yep. In Japan we all use LINE with a small fraction of (largely Western foreigners) using whatsapp. Korea has kakaotalk with some (also?) using LINE. I'm not sure what's most popular in Chinese circles these days; WeChat, maybe?
- I think this might be changing in the U.S., because my friend group only talks on Discord. I don't even have their phone numbers.
I really hate that some people I know only use Facebook Messenger, some use Instagram, some use Discord, and some use text.
It's a nightmare when working in groups for uni, so I just email everyone. Email has all the features I like.
- I have plenty of folks in my circles who never read or reply to emails :p
I still really miss Google Hangouts. It was integrated with Gmail as a web interface. The web and mobile app synced perfectly. You could use SMS/MMS, or chat, seamlessly in the same interface. Contacts worked correctly. SMS and chat history saved to Gmail so all the text was searchable. It was AMAZING and Google killed it for no reason, only to later replace it with inferior options.
Edit: oh yeah, you could also make phone calls, or group voice and video calls using the same app/web interface.
I want to use good apps, but my family members don't. I can't just avoid my family.
tell that to everyone i know

10 comments