Implied Strong and Weak Ties caused by iMessage
Apple’s blue iMessage bubbles shouldn’t matter, but it does. Texting is not just about text anymore. It includes images, gifs, videos, reactions and stickers. These added features make it difficult to communicate effectively between Android and Apple users because the two systems have different messaging systems. Google blames this divide on Apple because they refuse to convert their old SMS, MMS system to RCS, a new standard for converting media between devices. Apple’s old system is old technology from the 80s and it’s inefficient in sending messages other than text. Videos are blurred, read receipts are late, emojis are different and reactions can’t be sent. Thus, there are implications on social networks because there is social pressure to conform to Apple’s blue bubbles and this is especially relevant to young adults, who feel pressured to buy apple products so they don’t get ostracized for sending blurred images and green bubbles because of their android phone.
Strong ties are easier to establish when two people are both apple users because it is easier to communicate. They have the same messaging system, thus, quality, reactions and images will stay in the same format. This is not the case for communication between android and apple users, thus, stronger ties are harder to establish because of this communication barrier. There have been numerous calls for Apple to improve their messaging system but they continue to make iMessage’s features exclusive to Apple users. Additionally, iMessage perpetuates ostracism by making iMessage exclusive to Apple users. Apple’s current messaging system excludes people with a different phone brand and thus, the social network is divided into two components – Apple users and Android users. These two networks are connected by local bridges – people willing to communicate over the blue and green bubble obstacle or they are connected through other social networks. Therefore, buying an Apple product is also buying into the Apple network.
However, Apple’s failure to open their network has resulted in reduced iMessage usage around the world. Honestly, I believe that iMessage is only popular in North America. Most other countries use other messaging apps such as Messenger, Whatsapp, Line, and Wechat. It’s a pain to text between the two brands, and people value convenient messaging, so it will be interesting to see if Apple is forced into the RCS system in the future or if Apple’s blue bubble exclusivity strategy will continue to work.
https://www.macworld.com/article/606152/imessage-green-bubbles-sms-rcs-reactions.html
https://webreprints.djreprints.com/2327403.html