iMessage for Android reportedly in the works and may be coming sooner rather than later
iMessage is arguably the biggest disconnect keeping iOS users from switching to Android, and has been for some time. It has been suggested that this is the reason why Google has created so many different messaging apps, including Allo and Duo that will release later this year after being announced at Google I/O.
There have even been apps created that will allow iMessaging services on Android devices, but as always, there’s a catch. A new report from MacDailyNews suggests that Apple is gearing up to announce iMessage for Android at WWDC, its yearly Developer Conference.
The biggest benefit to the introduction of iMessage for Android would be end-to-end encryption across the two biggest mobile platforms in the world. Even Google’s Allo messaging services won’t offer this at launch, although it will be available on both platforms.
The move would be unprecedented on one front, due to just the sheer unlikeliness that this would come to fruition. On the other hand, it wouldn’t be earth-shattering due to the fact that Apple has slowly entered the Google stratosphere with the release of its Apple Music app, as well as the Move to iOS application on the Google Play Store. Meanwhile, Google has been with Apple from the start, and has an entire suite of apps on iOS, including some that aren’t available for Android users.
According to the report, Apple is “constantly in flux” about its plans to announce iMessage for Android at WWDC, including the possibility of an announcement at a later time. As expected, this is just a rumor, but luckily we won’t have to wait too long to find out what’s in the works.
Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference begins on Monday, June 13th.