Inside iOS 10: Third-party compatibility opens up Messages to Apple's app universe
Starting today, Apple device users will be able to operate in a vastly expanded Messages environment thanks to a new API that allows developers to build in third-party app integrations like stickers and app extensibility.
"When it comes to expressing yourself, there's so much more you could do if we could tap into all the creativity of all you developers and so we're opening up Messages to developers as well with iMessage apps," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in June.
Users will be able to go into an App Drawer to view already-installed apps and drop their available content into messages. Access to the App Store, where new Messages apps can be downloaded, is also completely integrated, with no need to exit and go to the App Store app.
Users will access the drawer by pressing a dedicated app button located to the left of the text entry field in Messages, alongside options for entering photos and Digital Touch drawings.
The new framework will allow developers the ability to create of two types of app extensions: Sticker packs and iMessage apps.
With the new Sticker packs, developers can easily incorporate the images into their apps by simply dropping the images into the app's Sticker Pack folder inside the Stickers assets catalog. The images can be of three different point sizes (100x100, 136x36, 206x206).
Users will also be able to use much more sophisticated apps like Square Cash and make payments without leaving Messages.
iMessage app developers will be able to customize user interfaces, create custom or dynamic sticker browsers, insert text or media files, create interactive messages with app-specific data and update interactive messages like games or collaborative apps.
Federighi demonstrated the possibilities: choosing from a wide variety of Stickers and dropping one in with a tap, or even peeling one off and dropping it into a photo or message. When he received a message with an embedded app - in this instance suggesting a restaurant - he was able to tap in, access the menu, place an order, add it to his cart and then drop it into his message to be shared with friends, all without leaving the Messages app.
For the user, the new capabilities will allow the Messages app to tap into a wide universe of third-party apps, which currently stands at 2 million options on the App Store.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in June following Apple's announcement of iOS 10 at WWDC 2016. It is being republished to coincide with the mobile operating system's public release.
"When it comes to expressing yourself, there's so much more you could do if we could tap into all the creativity of all you developers and so we're opening up Messages to developers as well with iMessage apps," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in June.
Users will be able to go into an App Drawer to view already-installed apps and drop their available content into messages. Access to the App Store, where new Messages apps can be downloaded, is also completely integrated, with no need to exit and go to the App Store app.
Users will access the drawer by pressing a dedicated app button located to the left of the text entry field in Messages, alongside options for entering photos and Digital Touch drawings.
The new framework will allow developers the ability to create of two types of app extensions: Sticker packs and iMessage apps.
With the new Sticker packs, developers can easily incorporate the images into their apps by simply dropping the images into the app's Sticker Pack folder inside the Stickers assets catalog. The images can be of three different point sizes (100x100, 136x36, 206x206).
Users will also be able to use much more sophisticated apps like Square Cash and make payments without leaving Messages.
iMessage app developers will be able to customize user interfaces, create custom or dynamic sticker browsers, insert text or media files, create interactive messages with app-specific data and update interactive messages like games or collaborative apps.
Federighi demonstrated the possibilities: choosing from a wide variety of Stickers and dropping one in with a tap, or even peeling one off and dropping it into a photo or message. When he received a message with an embedded app - in this instance suggesting a restaurant - he was able to tap in, access the menu, place an order, add it to his cart and then drop it into his message to be shared with friends, all without leaving the Messages app.
For the user, the new capabilities will allow the Messages app to tap into a wide universe of third-party apps, which currently stands at 2 million options on the App Store.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in June following Apple's announcement of iOS 10 at WWDC 2016. It is being republished to coincide with the mobile operating system's public release.
Comments
In short, a more attractive platform with a more seamless and integrated device communication experience.
Or why not wait until the world has moved on and iMessage is a way of communicating seamelesly to just 10% of the world. That iMessages turn to texts messages if the recipient does not have an iPhone for me is not a feature, but an inconvenience—hence I turn that "feature" off. It's a pain in the butt to having to think about communication and who uses what app etc. Please simplify our lives!!
If all this could be incorporated into my iPhone's or Mac's or iPad's Messages app, I'll be very happy.
It's an even stronger reason to own an iPhone now
Naming iMessage threads is just one way of looking at this. Several of my iMessage threads are named. They're like little mini social networks. Opening iMessage up to apps will only bolster this concept. Markup in Mail is another. I use this to get Apple based clients to sign contracts and make notes for brainstorming. These things are very "social" in my mind. Sharing in Photos is another thing I think Apple does really well. I think as Apple's OS's become more intertwined we'll continue to see more of these things and I'm very excited to see what's coming.
I think Ping and Game Center were attempts to "Do Social" the way everyone else does, but with these additions to Messages, I think maybe Apple is seeing how hey really do social and it's just different that what everyone else does.