iMessage on Android may become available soon. Developments are being made on the Apple-exclusive app that will allow more users to enjoy it, regardless of the device they are using.
The idea of having iMessage on Android started after Apple almost used the same approach as the BBM platform, where users need to have an Apple device to use iMessage. The encryption was well-made and people were able to communicate and exchange files and information via email or phone number, as long as they were Apple users.
According to Entrepreneur, developers were able to configure iMessage to make it available on Android devices as well. PieMessage, a prototype open source project, was started by GitHub to allow iMessage support across various platforms like Android. The source code is currently public and is expected to be further developed into a standalone app in the near future.
How iMessage On Android Works
PieMessage relies on the user’s own Mac OS X to work, compared to earlier approaches that needed a server to direct iMessages on Android. The Android user can send text to a Macbook using the Mac “Messages” app to initiate the notification. As soon as Mac detects the message sent, it will revert the message back to the Android device.
The project is an Android client, OS X client, Java Web Server and “messages.applescript.” The Android client links to a socket with the IP address of the OS X device that runs the Java Web Server and OSX Client. The script was developed to allow the sending of messages on iMessage.
At present, PieMessage uses a custom API, so more developers may eventually create clients for various platforms aside from Android, which will allow iMessage to become available regardless of the device.
Apple to Ban iMessage on Android?
Apple’s objective of maintaining the exclusivity of its apps to its own line of products may result to the iMessage on Android being banned, Softpedia opined. The makers of PieMessage said that there will be more developments if Apple does not ban the app altogether.Group messaging, video messaging, photo exchanges and more are expected to be included if the third-party app is worked on by more experts.
Currently, group messaging is not available and users can only get messages that others are writing for them. The continued development of the app will also mean the expansion of a huge user base. Apple has not yet commented on the new third-party app.
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