Why iMessage is More Than a Texting Platform.

The world of the iPhone has changed how we live, work,  and play.  When it comes to the iPhone, it is a communication and consumption device.  The two methods of communication that have taken the world by storm are Facetime and iMessage.  What most people think of as a simple texting platform is something much much more.  Apple’s own iMessage app is more than a texting platform; it is a full fledged social platform.  .  

Messaging platforms have become popular in the last few years and especially this year with the rise of work from home mandates.  Google Hangouts and Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and What’s App have taken the simple idea of messaging and formed whole business opportunities around them.  

Most people don’t view iMessage and Slack in the same light.  To the average person iMessage is texting and Slack is for business meetings.  

82% of Teens Have iPhones

Well with the newest updates in MacOS Big Sur it is time to start thinking of iMessage and its blue conversation bubbles as a social network, especially among teens.  According to Digital Trends, 82% of Teens have iPhones.  

Some of the features that iMessage has sets it apart from the traditional texting platform.  It has an app store of its own filled with games such as billiards and yahtzee.  It also has Gif keyboards and sticker packs, not to mention many different effects and ways to say things like, “Happy Birthday” and “congratulations”.  If you thought kids were just chatting and sharing photos, you would be wrong.  It's more than just a photo, it's a way to express feelings with effects and stickers the same way you would on SnapChat or Instagram stories.  The possibilities are endless for Apple when it comes to their flagship messaging app.  

Bonus, it also syncs perfectly with all your apple devices so you can continue the conversation or game at any time with your friends or simply switch to a Facetime call.  Not to mention it is free of ads and is 100%  secure.  According to Apple, messages are encrypted end to end so no one can see your messages to friends and family.  Because it is secure it also is a perfect way to share money and pay a friend back for dinner using Apple Pay.  

All of those things have been around, but the new features make it even better.  Some of those features are mentions, inline replies, and pinned conversations.  

iMessage Features (from Apple)

Mentions

Mentions are huge, especially in group conversations.  Nobody likes those large group conversations where there might be 20 people in the group but only 2 people talking to one another. With Mentions you can now target select people in the chat and ask direct questions without bothering everyone all the time, but still giving reference to the rest of the group when they want to see it.   

Inline Replies 

Inline replies are another great way to improve the group chat experience.  We have all been in group chats that have run away conversations with a few people.   Now you can quickly reply with an answer to a comment even if it was not the most recent message and target the sender with a mention.  

Pinned Conversations 

Lastly, pinned conversations are a great way to keep your most recent and most used contacts at the forefront of your app.  You can even customize your group's image with new emojis and Memojis.  

So as you can see iMessage is a social platform not just for fun and games, but for business conversations and file transfers in a 100% secure platform free of ads.  Have fun and get work done is the name of iMessage.  If you were underutilizing iMessage before look further and see what it can offer you.  It’s a messaging app that is punching the limits of team communication.  

iMessage Games