Do you think they would ever monetize iMessage? Imagine making iMessage cross platform, but only available to paying iCloud Subscribers. So I could pay $10 / month for upgraded iCloud storage and get iMessage on my Android phone. I'd pay for that.
I'd love that. I have an Android phone and already pay for iCloud storage for Apple Photos even though using it with an Android Phone adds considerably friction to the process. I'll be getting rid of my Nest Camera in favour of one that supports HomeKit Secure Video next time my Nest Aware account comes up for renewal.
An approach I'd like for iMessage is to make it free for anyone, but only functional if at least one member of a conversation has an iPhone or paid iCloud subscription.
I like that approach! Very plausible and consistent with services like Cisco WebEx and such that require one "admin license" and as many guests as possible.
I just recently switched from Android to iOS and there's a lot I miss about Android that will never come to iOS. I'd love to have that flexibility but cross-platform compatibility too.
