Among many iOS 10 announcements made at WWDC yesterday, one notable update to Apple's mobile operating system came in the form of third party developer support in Apple's iMessage chat platform. With the new SDK, developers can create app extensions -- similar to third party keyboard apps available now on the App Store -- that let users interact with apps from directly within Messages.

Following its announcement at the keynote, the developer of Square Cash [Direct Link] shared a little bit more information about how their payments service works as an app extension for Messages. Once a user has Square Cash installed, they can find it with their other apps in the new iMessage "App drawer." From there, "Just swipe up to pick an amount and attach it to a message. One tap to deposit it!" The iMessage App is still limited by Square Cash's own restraints, however, so international payment transfers are unavailable as of now.

iMessage apps 2

iMessage Apps for Square Cash (left) and Disney stickers (right)

During the keynote, Craig Federighi gave a demo of another iMessage app, DoorDash [Direct Link], collectively collaborating on a group lunch order without leaving Messages. Once he decided on his menu item and selected the quantity of the order, he shared his choice with a contact in Messages to add his lunch to the group ticket. Other entertainment-focused apps, like JibJab [Direct Link], grant users access to the iPhone's camera to place their faces on GIF-like videos to share with friends.

Although not specifically detailed, the iMessage App extensions for already-existing apps, like Square Cash, will presumably be free upgrades for users who already own or have downloaded the base apps. On Apple's developer site, a heavy emphasis is placed on the "purchase" of various sticker packs, however, suggesting that the various Disney and other brand-related stickers will not be free to download.

iOS 10 imessage apps

Help users express themselves in richer ways by providing stickers for purchase on the App Store for iMessage. Users can tap to send stickers in a thread, adjust their size, or place them on top of bubbles, other stickers, and photos. There's no need for you to write code to create stickers — simply drag the images into the designated folder in Xcode.

Not many other iMessage Apps have been detailed by Apple and developers yet, but wording on the developer beta site mentions users will be able to "share content, edit photos, play games, send payments, and collaborate with friends." While some might be similar in execution to third-party keyboards in iOS 9, now that Apple has granted developer access to its Messages platform, it'll be interesting to see what new kind of shortcuts and message-enhancing features come out of the new App Store for iMessage.

Anyone who needs to catchup with the WWDC keynote -- or if you just want a refresher -- can do so by watching MacRumors' 7-minute recap video. Likewise, our iOS 10 tidbits post has more information on iMessage updates, individual read receipts, the ability to remove pre-installed apps, and more.

Related Forum: iOS 10

Top Rated Comments

TMDR Avatar
88 months ago
I am so disappointed.
Downloaded the beta to see if this crap can be disabled. This crap is the reason I stay away from FB Messenger and all those others.
I want to send messages and share pictures quickly. That's all. You can't make messaging any better than that. Period.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macfacts Avatar
88 months ago
Pay for digital stickers? Lmao.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shadow Runner Avatar
88 months ago
iMessage is going to become the iTunes of iOS, I just know it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMDR Avatar
88 months ago
Good news for you, you can still just send messages and share pictures if that's all you want to do.
Yeah but I want all that stuff gone. I buy Apple stuff because it is clean and elegant, not because I want this mess.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lowercaseperson Avatar
88 months ago
I get it, a lot of the stuff really displayed for iMessage seems gimmicky to me - I just won't use it. There is an entire generation of users who are about to need phones who will love those features. As much as I don't like those features, it would be stupid for Apple to ignore the large consumer base that want those features. I'm sure many at Apple weren't happy about it either, but guess who will be buying their phones soon.

More importantly, developer SDKs for iMessage, Maps, and Siri are what I've been waiting for. I'm thrilled. Why should I NEED a Grubhub app? Why should I have to throw my phone to my wife so she can look at the menu from my phone? The ability to complete group transactions from multiple devices or using Siri is only a small glimpse into the future these SDKs are about to usher in.

Don't get caught up in the gimmicks. This is big.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bathplug Avatar
88 months ago
Can I disable these features?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April. iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Leak Reveals Unified Volume Button and Mute Button

Monday March 20, 2023 8:33 am PDT by
As previously rumored, the next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a unified volume button and a mute button, according to leaked CAD images shared in a video on the Chinese version of TikTok and posted to Twitter by ShrimpApplePro. Instead of separate buttons for volume up and volume down, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have a single elongated button for...
voice isolation

iOS 16.4 Adds Voice Isolation for Cellular Phone Calls

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:01 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 update that is set to be released to the public in the near future includes voice isolation for cellular calls, according to notes that Apple shared today. Apple says that Voice Isolation will prioritize your voice and block out the ambient noise around you, making for clearer phone calls where you can better hear the person you're chatting with and vice versa. Voice...
airpodsd 3 purple 4

iOS 16.4 Seemingly References New AirPods and AirPods Case

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:43 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 release candidate version that was provided to developers today appears to hint at a new set of AirPods that could be coming in the near future. According to @aaronp613, the beta features references to AirPods that have a model number of A3048 and an AirPods case with a model number of A2968. There have been no rumors that new AirPods are on the horizon, and it is early for...
maxresdefault

Nothing Launches $149 Ear (2) Wireless Earbuds to Compete With AirPods Pro 2

Wednesday March 22, 2023 9:48 am PDT by
Nothing today announced the launch of its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2), which offer many of the same features as Apple's AirPods Pro 2 at a lower price point. We went hands-on with the Ear (2) earbuds to see whether they're a viable alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 for those who want to save some cash. The Ear (2) earbuds are the successor to the Nothing Ear (1),...
iOS 16

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 to Developers [Update: Public RC Available]

Tuesday March 21, 2023 10:25 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth betas. The RCs mark the final version of the software that will be provided to the public in the near future. Registered developers are able to download the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates...
apple park at night 1

Apple 'Tracking Employee Attendance' in Crackdown on Remote Working

Thursday March 23, 2023 3:41 am PDT by
Apple is tracking the attendance of its employees at offices using badge records in order to ensure they are coming in at least three times a week, according to Platformer's Zoë Schiffer. Since April 2022, Apple employees have been operating on a hybrid home/office work policy as part of a gradual return strategy following the pandemic, with staff required to work from the office at least...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Rumor Recap: 10 New Features and Changes to Expect

Thursday March 23, 2023 6:42 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 series is still around six months away from launching, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes have been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in particular. Below, we have recapped 10 changes rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A1...