• magnetosphere@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    46
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    11 months ago

    What it won’t solve is the color of bubbles in iMessage, which marks Android users with green messages instead of blue and has led to a rash of teen bullying.

    This is both cruel and asinine, meaning it’s probably true. I’m wishing for karma in these situations.

    • Sanyanov@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      16
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      I’ve heard of the issue before.

      Stupid? Absolutely. And it’s not just iPhones - they are part of the bigger picture. Somehow having “premium” things is huge part of your status in the US, especially among teens. And, despite the fact iPhone is owned by just about everyone in America, it’s still somehow seen as a thing compared to which Android phones are broke man’s choice.

      Result? 87-88% of American teens have iPhones (1, 2), with 90% planning to make it their next choice.

      It’s an extremely toxic consumer culture driving people into debt - and even if you aren’t part of it, you’ll be forced into it, otherwise your child will have issues.

      Also, Apple will fight tooth and nail to distinguish users, because having access to iMessage - and now right-colored bubbles - is a big part of why Americans go Apple to begin with. It’s a local unofficial communication standard.

      • LilB0kChoy@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        11 months ago

        because having access to iMessage - and now right-colored bubbles - is a big part of why Americans go Apple to begin with.

        Do you have something supporting this? I was the only iPhone user in my family years ago, now everyone in my family has one. They switched because their Androids were slow, buggy and had issues. Over time they decided to try iPhones and now their perception of iPhone is that it just works better and smoother than Android.

        I think some go Apple for status, but still others go with it because they’ve personally had a better experience. For older people there’s probably also an element of support from their younger family. If their kids, grandkids etc. have iPhones then they can get help from them because they’re familiar with the device.

        I use an iPhone and many other Apple products because I work in IT. I get tired of troubleshooting other people’s tech issues and I can come home and my Apple stuff all just works. I don’t think it’s the best, I actually have a Windows gaming computer and an Ubuntu box as a home server but the Apple ecosystem works well together and means I’m not still wearing my IT hat at home all the time.

        The teen bullying is a social problem but it’s not that different than Starter jackets when I was in elementary school, branded sports apparel (particularly Nike) when I was in middle school, and having a pager when I was in high school.

        I don’t really care what color the bubbles are when I send messages, as long as the go through.

        • magnetosphere@kbin.social
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          11 months ago

          I don’t really care what color the bubbles are when I send messages, as long as the go through.

          Amen. It’s nice being an adult isn’t it?

          Now don’t bother me. I’ve got cartoons to watch.

      • AA5B@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        11 months ago

        and now right-colored bubbles - is a big part of why Americans go Apple to begin with

        This is such a load of BS. Who would make a phone decision based on the color of chat bubbles in one particular app?

        I don’t know anyone who pays attention to such things and it seems particularly trivial. Unless you can actually identify real cases, this is just a non-issue made up and kept alive in media

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      green messages instead of blue and has led to a rash of teen bullying.

      Why is this asssertion always second hand. Is there really any such bullying?

      I only know my kids:

      • had to be told why there is sometimes a different color
      • mainly use other chat tools like WhatsApp (yes, we’re in the US)

      This really seems like a non-issue made up and kept alive in the media

      • magnetosphere@kbin.social
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        11 months ago

        I just remember being a stupid, petty teenager. It could be bullshit, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was true.