Looks like a super cool project. I'm always happy to see new client-side software for communication protocols written that aims to improve upon built-in! And iMessages in particular could certainly use it. With the demise of iTunes, it now feels like iMessages is probably one of the most crufty-but-heavily-utilized user facing pieces of software Apple puts out. Maybe they have some long term plans to refactor it ala iTunes but yeesh.
This bit did make me wonder though:
>We plan to make it work without the catch.
Out of curiosity, do really think that's realistic, or even desirable long term? iMessage is ultimately an Apple service that runs heavily on Apple's infrastructure, and is directly subsidized by sales of their highly vertically integrated hardware platforms. If it turns into a cat-and-mouse fight it seems like they're always going to have the eternal upper hand, which in turn seems like it'd make for a subpar user experience (ie., breaks randomly which for an instant messaging service would be pretty bad). Also seems like they might actually be motivated to respond rather than ignore it since it'd actually be directly leeching their infra if it will work on PCs/Android without a Mac/iDevice purchase in the equation (unlike hackintoshes for example, where whatever debate there is to be had about probably very low "lost sales" it doesn't actually cost them anything).
Obviously you've probably thought this all through, but seems like just requiring an old cheap Mac or old jb'd idevice and thus avoiding Apple might be an easier path. Or alternately just stick to offering a flat out better client with the iMessage bit being Mac-only. Will be interested to see how it goes though!
> one of the most crufty-but-heavily-utilized user facing pieces of software Apple puts out. Maybe they have some long term plans to refactor it ala iTunes but yeesh.
The Messages app on Mac was rewritten for Big Sur (last year). It gained some features but also some bugs in the process.
This bit did make me wonder though:
>We plan to make it work without the catch.
Out of curiosity, do really think that's realistic, or even desirable long term? iMessage is ultimately an Apple service that runs heavily on Apple's infrastructure, and is directly subsidized by sales of their highly vertically integrated hardware platforms. If it turns into a cat-and-mouse fight it seems like they're always going to have the eternal upper hand, which in turn seems like it'd make for a subpar user experience (ie., breaks randomly which for an instant messaging service would be pretty bad). Also seems like they might actually be motivated to respond rather than ignore it since it'd actually be directly leeching their infra if it will work on PCs/Android without a Mac/iDevice purchase in the equation (unlike hackintoshes for example, where whatever debate there is to be had about probably very low "lost sales" it doesn't actually cost them anything).
Obviously you've probably thought this all through, but seems like just requiring an old cheap Mac or old jb'd idevice and thus avoiding Apple might be an easier path. Or alternately just stick to offering a flat out better client with the iMessage bit being Mac-only. Will be interested to see how it goes though!