4 ms·

Apple doesn't need 'em though. What's $1/year to a $265bn/year company? Maybe Apple converts a few hundred million of them to iMessage. 0.1% revenue bump in

Apple doesn't need 'em though. What's $1/year to a $265bn/year company? Maybe Apple converts a few hundred million of them to iMessage. 0.1% revenue bump in return for devaluing a USP of their product and increased ongoing development and operating costs. Plus I think you overestimate Android users' propensity to hand over even $1 in return for no ads. The reason Apple Music is on Android is that the larger userbase directly gives Apple more bargaining power with labels.

gaius 8y ago
What's $1/year to a $265bn/year company? Maybe Apple converts a few hundred million of them to iMessage. 0.1% revenue bump in return for devaluing a USP of their product and increased ongoing development and operating costs. It would just be the same as them selling a 99c app, and the goal would be some of those users for their next phone switching to iPhone. And more high-ground kudos as “the privacy company” which is where their marketing is positioned right now. Plus I think you overestimate Android users' propensity to hand over even $1 It seems to be a general thing on all platforms, people will pay $1000 for a handset and $5 for a coffee but hesitate to spend 99c on an app.
- batiudrami 8y ago
  I think iMessage is currently a strong unique selling proposition for iPhone (in the US anyway; no one cares about it elsewhere), and offering it for $1 would reduce the likelihood of switching to iPhone - not increase it. Apple isn't really in the business of making $1 apps (that I can think of) - just of selling them on behalf of others.
  - akvadrako 8y ago
    iMessage would be a much better selling point if it was cross platform. Being able to only chat with other Apple users is kind of pointless.
    - randomsearch 8y ago
      Self-evidently it is not.
    - briandear 8y ago
      Maybe a I am an outlier, but I only use iMessage. If for some reason I have to message an Android user, I just let it fall back to SMS. In the US, unlimited SMS is a thing.
      - akvadrako 8y ago
        That's fine for 1-on-1, but not groups.

gaius 8y ago

What's $1/year to a $265bn/year company? Maybe Apple converts a few hundred million of them to iMessage. 0.1% revenue bump in return for devaluing a USP of their product and increased ongoing development and operating costs. It would just be the same as them selling a 99c app, and the goal would be some of those users for their next phone switching to iPhone. And more high-ground kudos as “the privacy company” which is where their marketing is positioned right now. Plus I think you overestimate Android users' propensity to hand over even $1 It seems to be a general thing on all platforms, people will pay $1000 for a handset and $5 for a coffee but hesitate to spend 99c on an app.

batiudrami 8y ago
I think iMessage is currently a strong unique selling proposition for iPhone (in the US anyway; no one cares about it elsewhere), and offering it for $1 would reduce the likelihood of switching to iPhone - not increase it. Apple isn't really in the business of making $1 apps (that I can think of) - just of selling them on behalf of others.
- akvadrako 8y ago
  iMessage would be a much better selling point if it was cross platform. Being able to only chat with other Apple users is kind of pointless.
  - randomsearch 8y ago
    Self-evidently it is not.
  - briandear 8y ago
    Maybe a I am an outlier, but I only use iMessage. If for some reason I have to message an Android user, I just let it fall back to SMS. In the US, unlimited SMS is a thing.
    - akvadrako 8y ago
      That's fine for 1-on-1, but not groups.