Make iMessage Customizable and More ‘Social‘
iMessage is the gold standard when it comes to mobile messaging. Unlike alternative messaging solutions, iMessage utilizes both your iCloud account and your mobile phone number to provide a seamless app for sending text messages and interacting with other iPhone users on a whole new level. In fact, it’s easy to become frustrated when texting an Android user and seeing those “green bubbles.” Why? Because iMessage enables so many fun ways to communicate that Android is missing out on. But what if iMessage was just a little more… social?
Apple tried creating its own music-based social network in 2010. It was called iTunes Ping. Long story short, it failed. Since then, it seems like Apple has kept trying with things like Game Center, Apple Music profiles, and even Facebook and Twitter integration options for a short time. What they might not realize is they already have a social hit on their hands in iMessage. Virtually every iOS user utilizes it, and it’s one of the top reasons why people stick with iOS when given the option to jump ship to Android.
It’s time for Apple to make iMessage a little more social. Let users customize things like the color of their chat bubbles, add a profile with a bio that other iMessage mutuals can see, and even let us assign header photos to threads. Pinned conversations and profile photos were a great start, but it’s time for Apple to take it to the next level.