iMessage

270 'iMessage' stories February 2012 - May 2018

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scheduled iMessage feature

Send texts, photos, videos, and audio messages — all from the Messages app

iMessage was announced by Scott Forstall at the WWDC keynote in 2011. When iOS 5 was released in October, it included a version of the messages app that had iMessage built-in. In early 2012, Apple announced that a new Messages app would be included in OS X Mountain Lion which was released on July 25, 2012.

By 2012, Tim Cook announced that over 300 billion messages had been sent using iMessage. In 2016, Eddie Cue announced that 200,000 iMessages were being sent every second. Apple also announced an App Store for the platform in 2016.

When Apple announced its messaging platform, mobile carriers were caught off guard as it took over SMS technology. One of the reasons it was initially so successful is that users didn’t realize they were using something new. The only visual change was that the messages went from green to blue. The box for typing message had a faint iMessage in the box before starting a message as well.

Since its release, Google has tried multiple times to create its own messaging service similar to iMessage, but it hasn’t been able to find the same success. Apple has been applauded for including end-to-end encryption in iMessage.

We use end-to-end encryption to protect your iMessage and FaceTime conversations across all your devices. With watchOS and iOS, your messages are encrypted on your device so that they can’t be accessed without your passcode. We designed iMessage and FaceTime so that there’s no way for us to decrypt your data when it’s in transit between devices. You can choose to automatically delete your messages from your device after 30 days or a year or to keep them on your device forever.

Third-party apps that use iMessage do not have access to participants’ actual contact information or conversations. iOS provides each app with a random identifier for each participant, which is reset when the app is uninstalled. iMessage and SMS messages are backed up on iCloud for your convenience, but you can turn iCloud Backup off whenever you want. And we never store the content of FaceTime calls on any servers.

In iOS 11.4, Apple released Messages in the Cloud. If you enable it, it keeps your entire message history updated and available on all your devices. If you purchase a new device, all of your conversations will be synced over as well.

iMessage

Microsoft says it would love to work with Apple to bring iMessage support to Windows

Chance Miller May 10 2018 - 2:31 pm PT

At its Build developer conference this year, Microsoft revealed a new “Your Phone” application that it hopes will make iOS and Android devices work better with Windows 10 PCs. The app bring things such as photos, texts, and more directly from your smartphone to your Windows PC.

One key missing feature, however, is iMessage support – but Microsoft says it would love to work with Apple to change that…

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T-Mobile app for iOS adds support for Business Chat via iMessage

Peter Cao Apr 10 2018 - 7:07 pm PT

iOS 11.3 added support for Business Chat through iMessage, which allows you to talk to support representative directly through the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, instead of calling in, connecting via email or social media.

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Telstra acknowledges widespread iMessage & FaceTime outage, says it’s working on a fix

Chance Miller Feb 20 2018 - 5:45 pm PT

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Update: Telstra says the issue has been resolved and service is being “progressively restored.”

Earlier today some customers experienced a disruption to Apple iMessage and FaceTime services. We worked with Apple to resolve this issue. Services are now being progressively being restored. We apologise for any inconvenience this caused.

Telstra, one of the largest mobile carriers in Australia, is experiencing a widespread outage of iMessage and FaceTime services. Oddly enough, this outage only seems to affect Apple’s services, as everything else functions normally. The carrier has confirmed the outage on Twitter and says it is working on a fix…

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Receiving an Indian character crashes Messages and other apps in iOS 11 [U: Mac & Watch too]

Ben Lovejoy Feb 15 2018 - 4:09 am PT

Update: It’s now been confirmed that the issue affects both Macs and Apple Watches too.

There have been a number of cases where sending a particular message to an iOS device causes the Messages app to crash, leaving users unable to re-open it – and a new one has emerged in iOS 11.

Sending a specific Telugu (Indian language) character to a device running iOS 11.2.5 causes the app to crash, and then fail to re-open. In some cases, it can require a DFU reset to fix it …

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Messages in iCloud is back in iOS 11.3 beta 1

Guilherme Rambo Jan 24 2018 - 10:18 am PT

Apple announced in a press release earlier today several new features to come with iOS 11.3, including new Animoji and health records in the Health app.

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This app claims to bring iMessage support to Android, but don’t expect it to last

Chance Miller Dec 12 2017 - 3:39 pm PT

Over the years, we’ve seen a few developers try to bring iMessage to Android devices using a variety of workarounds. Today, another attempt at bringing iMessage to Android has emerged, but like other efforts in the past, we don’t expect this one to last…

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Delayed messages bug in High Sierra may relate to planned iCloud message syncing

Ben Lovejoy Oct 18 2017 - 4:09 am PT

Some macOS High Sierra users are reporting delays in receiving iMessages on their Macs, while also finding that they are no longer receiving iMessage notifications on their iOS devices and Apple Watches …

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Today’s update to iOS YouTube app adds iMessage sharing

Ben Lovejoy Oct 3 2017 - 5:53 am PT

The latest update to YouTube’s iOS app allows videos to be instantly shared in iMessage.

Sharing videos is quick and easy, and videos received via Messages can be viewed by the recipient without exiting the chat app …

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Delta enabling free in-flight iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger use starting Sunday

Zac Hall Sep 27 2017 - 9:00 am PT

Good news for passengers flying Delta: the airline is enabling free in-flight iMessage use on most flights starting Sunday. That means you can use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to send and receive those blue messages without paying up for data. Delta says the new complimentary in-flight messaging perk, which also includes WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, is part of a “multi-billion dollar investment in the customer experience.”

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iMessage not sending? Here’s what to do

Michael Potuck May 28 2017 - 11:44 am PT

iMessages are a great way to communicate with others from any of your Apple devices, however, sometimes they fail to send. Let’s take a look at what to do to get iMessage working properly.

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Apple patent describes using iMessage to talk to Siri in noisy or silent environments

Ben Lovejoy May 11 2017 - 6:11 am PT

An Apple patent published today describes using iMessages instead of voice to interact with Siri in environments when speaking wouldn’t be practical.

This could span both ends of the spectrum, from very noisy environments like construction sites, where your voice cannot be heard, to very quiet ones like libraries, where you would disturb people by speaking. It would also be useful for people who don’t feel comfortable talking to their phone in public …

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iMessage add-on service used by White House staff sued for failing to prevent screenshots/photos

Ben Lovejoy Apr 21 2017 - 4:01 am PT

Confide, an app which bills itself as a totally confidential messaging service, is being sued for allegedly failing to live up to its security claims. Used by White House staff, the subscription-based service claims that its disappearing messages are proof against both screenshot and even being photographed …

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UK government says Apple ‘cannot get away with’ unbreakable encryption following terrorist attack

Ben Lovejoy Mar 27 2017 - 4:01 am PT

British Home Secretary Amber Rudd – in charge of police policy in the UK – has told the BBC that Apple ‘cannot get away with’ apps that offer unbreakable encryption following last week’s terrorist attack in London.

Rudd was speaking after it was revealed that Khalid Masood accessed WhatsApp two minutes before ploughing through pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in a rented car, killing three of them, before fatally stabbing a police officer guarding the Houses of Parliament.

She described end-to-end encrypted messaging as used by WhatsApp and Apple’s Messages app as ‘completely unacceptable’ …

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Starbucks adding gifting via Apple Messages app with Apple Pay next month

Jordan Kahn Mar 22 2017 - 11:03 am PT

During its annual shareholders meeting today, Starbucks announced that it will soon allow customers to send gifts through Apple’s Messages app and Apple Pay. The new functionality will arrive for customers in April alongside Microsoft Outlook integration that will similarly allow users to gift beverages through the app.

In addition, the company announced that it’s expanding the My Starbucks barista feature it first launched earlier this year to let customers order with voice commands and messaging:

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Twitter posts about ‘screenshot alert’ in iOS 11 traced to unsupported vlogger claim

Ben Lovejoy Mar 17 2017 - 3:50 am PT

Tweets and retweets claiming that Apple plans to notify you when someone screenshots your text messages have been traced to an unsupported claim by a vlogger back in December.

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Report: iMessage app launch outpacing first iPhone apps, but growth slowing

Zac Hall Mar 16 2017 - 9:36 am PT

New data from SensorTower offers some insight into how Apple’s new iMessage App Store has performed since its launch in September. Based on the report’s data, new iMessage apps are being developed at a faster pace than iOS apps when the iPhone App Store first launched. SensorTower says there are signs that growth is starting to level out, however…

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PSA: Signal, WhatsApp, iMessage and others not compromised by CIA hacking tools

Ben Lovejoy Mar 10 2017 - 6:16 am PT

Somewhat careless wording by Wikileaks has led to widespread reports than messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption – like Signal, WhatsApp and iMessages – had been compromised by the CIA. There is in fact no evidence that this is the case.

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How to send Love screen effect, handwritten notes, and more over iMessage for Valentine’s Day [Video]

Zac Hall Feb 14 2017 - 10:09 am PT

Apple introduced a ton of new social features in Messages for iPhone and iPad in iOS 10, and some of them can make a Valentine’s Day message more original and personal. Handwritten notes, Digital Touch kisses and heartbeats, and the Love screen effect are all charming ways to put a bit more care into your messages than usual. Here’s how:

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Latest absurd patent troll claim suggests Messages app infringes 2002 point-of-sale patent

Ben Lovejoy Jan 16 2017 - 4:47 am PT

Apple has been the subject of some pretty absurd patent troll claims over the years, and a new one seems determined to push the boundaries still further. Seatoun Media is claiming that Apple’s Messages app infringes a 2002 patent regarding a point-of-sale system, reports Patently Apple.

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Apple patent shows Siri interjecting in iMessage chats, scheduling dinner & more

Ben Lovejoy Nov 17 2016 - 4:31 am PT

An Apple patent published today describes how Siri could interject in iMessage chats to do things like help schedule meetings based on the location and availability of chat participants.

In one illustration, when one chat participant asks ‘How long ’til you guys get here?’ Siri interjects by checking everyone’s location and then answering the question. In another, a chat participant asks Siri when the group could get together for lunch, and it checks each of their diaries to offer slots when all are free …

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iOS 10: How to use stickers, iMessages apps, Digital Touch, rich links, and more in the new Messages app [Video]

Jeff Benjamin Sep 14 2016 - 6:52 am PT

The Messages app is the most frequently used app on iOS, so it makes sense that Apple would lend it plenty of attention in iOS 10. It’s safe to say that the stock Messages app received, by far, the most significant overhaul of all default apps in iOS 10, as it is now a feature-laden package that leverages photos, videos, and Snapchat-inspired markup elements.

Messages in iOS 10 even brings about a dedicated iMessage App Store for adding additional functionality such as stickers, animated GIFs and third-party app extensions that run right within the Messages app interface. Updated emoji features, inline music and video playback, and brand new effects add a new dimension to Apple’s most popular iOS app.

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Apple launches iMessage App Store with various iMessage apps, games, and sticker packs

Jeff Benjamin Sep 12 2016 - 4:50 pm PT

Let the deluge begin… Not long after the Super Mario Run iMessage sticker pack was made available to iOS 10 users, Apple has unleashed the entire iMessage App Store. The iMessage App Store, which is available for iOS 10 users, features sticker packs from companies like Disney, Bandai Namco, Sanrio, and others.

In addition to the sticker packs, the iMessage App Store features full-fledged iMessage apps and games. Several of the apps that were demonstrated during the WWDC 2016 keynote are here, such as Square Cash, OpenTable, and JibJab.

The iMessage App Store is only available for iOS 10 beta users today, but if you’re not already on the beta, you’ll only need to wait one more day, as iOS 10 is scheduled to go live tomorrow.

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Super Mario Run iMessage sticker pack goes live on the iMessage App Store for iOS 10 users

Jeff Benjamin Sep 12 2016 - 3:17 pm PT

A day before the official debut of iOS 10, Nintendo’s Mario sticker pack has gone live on the iMessage App Store. The stickers, which were first announced by Nintendo’s legendary game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, during the iPhone 7 event, are now available to those running the iOS 10 beta.
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Judge throws out $625 million verdict in VirnetX’s patent case against Apple … for now

Zac Hall Aug 1 2016 - 8:17 am PT

Back in February an East Texas court ruled that Apple must pay more than $625 million in damages to VirnetX over patent infringement related to iMessage and FaceTime. The patent case was especially notable for being one of the highest amounts rewarded in history, but the plaintiff in the case wasn’t satisfied and asked for $190 million more in damages four months later. But for now it’s back to the step one for Apple and VirnetX in this case as a federal judge has decided the case must be revisited…

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