Meta's CTO: We'd 'love' iMessage on Ray-Ban glasses, but Apple won't allow it

During the recent Meta Connect event, the company unveiled an exciting array of products, including the next generation of Ray-Ban glasses, a neural wristband, and sports-oriented eyewear in collaboration with Oakley. However, a significant limitation has emerged: these innovative AI-powered glasses will not support iMessage functionality. Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, attributed this restriction to Apple's stringent control over its APIs. "Currently, our options are limited to Messenger and WhatsApp, which are incredibly popular worldwide. We would love to expand our capabilities," he stated during an Instagram Q&A. Bosworth urged followers to encourage Apple to create the necessary permissions and access for better integration. Apple's insular approach to its ecosystem has drawn criticism from regulators and industry insiders alike. The company does not extend its apps to Android platforms, which many believe locks users into its ecosystem and nudges them toward purchasing Apple devices over competitors. As one former employee noted in a court filing, iMessage is often cited as the primary deterrent for users considering a switch away from Apple. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has also voiced concerns over Apple's restrictive practices. In a blog post highlighting the launch of new Llama AI models, he reflected on the challenges of developing applications constrained by Apple's limitations on its platforms. Apple's motivation for maintaining such a closed system is clear, as it is actively developing its own range of smart devices, including glasses and AI gadgets, which diminishes its incentive to allow competitors access. Bosworth's remarks came during a challenging week for Meta, marked by technical difficulties in live demonstrations of their new products. In one instance, the Ray-Bans failed to assist a food creator during a cooking demo, and in another, they missed a live WhatsApp call between Zuckerberg and Bosworth. "It was more of a demo failure than a product failure," Bosworth commented. Both Meta and Apple have yet to respond to inquiries regarding these developments.