I didn’t miss that; that just isn’t what it says. Well it is what you say, but that’s not what I’m disagreeing with. I agree with you.

iMessage on Android would simply serve to remove an obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android Phones.

I’m not saying it isn’t a dirty business trick design to lock consumers in. It is. I’m saying it isn’t clear to me that it is designed as a social status issue. That was driven by a large group the users. Even still what this article is talking about is not having iMessage on android, which is not at all what I was disputing. I’m saying the colors serve a functional purpose. Not saying “only a functional purpose” but useful nevertheless.

I won’t be surprised if android likewise distinguishes between sms and messages using the new protocol.