That’s ridiculous, garland. The bubble color is useful because it can show that you can text that person even if everyone is on wifi and not cellular. You can’t text an android user from an iPad if you don’t have cellular on it. The Apple stores have great service and are terrific for people who get confused about all the features, have a glitch or need any sort of technical support. Plenty of people prefer Android, and that’s fine. My husband doesn’t use Apple products but all mine are Apple. I doubt Apple needs to shame Android users. Geez. The phones ARE complex now- ALL of them. I have an elderly friend who doesn’t do any tech, and gets a free senior phone for low income folks. She can’t even figure out how to swipe up to answer the thing. So maybe your condescending attitude is better used elsewhere.
Verizon is my “android store.”
Thing is, I’ve had phone issues and not gone back to “the store.” But it’s a pain to need to google to verify steps or to learn what to try. In the old days, we got a comprehensive instruction booklet. Not now.
I’ll probably stay Android because the tablet is that. No, I didn’t buy that at Verizon. Yes, I set it up myself. But truth be told, once it synched, it was mostly done.
When I think of the vast variety of tech we have, I just find no special ego gratification in setting up everything myself. Think about it. I figured out what to do for the issues with the microwave, washer, wifi, what to do when my cell wouldn’t charge and I got that figured. Set up the Sling tv, figured the flat antenna, what to do when Sling hiccups (frequently.) My car has wifi-- I don’t use it. On and on. Overload.
So I smile at folks who can do all this tinkering, and wish for a little more simplicity.
It may be snobbery, but I’ve never had any problems with my Apple products and I am willing to pay up for it.
Again, my students were talking about their phones, and there’s no reason that knowing that someone is on Android, not Apple is necessary information, since texts don’t use data and don’t need wifi. They all knew the phase “green bubble struggle” and when i asked what the struggle was it was ‘it just looks wrong’ and they were seriously distressed by green text bubbles. Just the messenger here. I am not exaggerating.
As mentioned by MoWC, I can text/facetime/call people who have “blue bubbles” while on wifi. I really don’t know that many people who do not use iphone. It stands out to me when I see a green bubble.
“I found it hilarious that Apple has built in a meaningless but apparently super-vital color difference so that Android users can be spotted and shamed.”
It has nothing to do with shaming. It is quite meaningful. It shows whether the message you sent is using your data or text allocation. It is quite helpful. Sometimes, even iPhone users have to revert to using text messaging between themselves.
Garland- IPad without cellular, which is many if not most, need wifi to text.
Apple stores have more than just iPhones - they have Apple TV, all sorts of computers, tablets, and accessories. Just like Microsoft stores. ?
Okay that’s cool about the iPads, but zero reason for phones. Texts don’t take data or wifi. But kids made clear they were talking about their phones, and offended by green bubbles. That’s not an accident.
Good lord, those kids need to grow up.
" Texts don’t take data or wifi."
iMessages are data. Texts are data - but data that is extremely overpriced by the phone company so it can charge you more for “unlimited texting.”
I am by no means an Applehead. I use PC computers but I have an iPhone. It is a good thing that there is a variety of options for the users to choose from. I welcome tech diversity.
BTW, my Mr. uses Facebook messenger on his iPhone (I don’t - I just don’t do apps), and those messages also show up as blue bubbles regardless of what device the other folks are on. Androids, PCs, or typewriters. ? JK about the typewriters.
Garland- once again you are missing the point. Many times you continue text conversations from phone to iPad and vice versa. If it is NOT an Apple device, you can’t pick the conversation up on iPad wifi, so it’s nice to know that before you try.
I guess it just shows us how tech originators can sell just about anything as a desperately needed enhacement.
I’m not sure texting costs the carrier much, at all. Isn’t it just random use of available space on network lines? Package data? Isn’t charging high rates for unlimited texting another one of those PT Barnum things? I’m not sure.
Not a huge Apple fan here, but I understand that Apple users want different things from their electronics than Android users. I like having more choices and more control over my phone, and I’m cost conscious. I don’t think Apple gives much hardware support to its customers, unless they buy Apple Care. There are a lot of things they just won’t repair. As an example, my husband had an iPhone that stopped charging. He was told to buy a new phone without a trade-in because his phone was not reparable. I gave the old one to a colleague to fix and sell — he later told me that the charging port had to be replaced at a cost of $10.
Apple also released a software update that broke the speaker on a bunch of iPhone 7s. If customers didn’t have Apple Care, they were told that they would have to pay to fix the phone— and that it was cheaper to trade the phone in and get a new one. This for phones that Apple broke!
But Apple products work well together, and the fact that there are only a few choices makes buying electronics simpler. Their security is also better than on Android phones, since updates can be pushed out faster.
IMessages do take data or wifi. That’s why it is showing up blue. This is an extremely useful feature if you are abroad. As far as you have wifi iMessaging is free.
Wow, I’ve never had problems getting help at the Apple store for my phone. They’ve never told me to buy a new one unless I wanted one.
^^Same. And I really appreciate the access to help. Having said that, choice is a good thing. For those that don’t care for apple products, it’s nice they don’t have to get them!
Apple store help is enomoys. For minor problems, they will attend to it at the door. I rarely have issues with my iPhone or computer. My old i5 was acting up towards the end of its life. I just walked in. They tried a few things and most of the time that was enough. When it isn’t, they make you an appointment to see what needs to be done. Diagnosis is free. Sometimes, they can fix while diagonizing. That would also be free. It’s what comes after that will cost you. They tell you how much. It’s up to you how to proceed from there.
Is that really a thing anymore? Unlimited texts and calls seem totally standard on all plans these days, at least as far as I’ve seen.