Is there actually any data to support a claim that the majority of iOS/iPadOS users want, let alone care, about this?

It seems like a vocal minority of people who want 3rd party app stores and iMessage integration. It’s anecdotal, but everyone I know could give a shit less about this.

I mean, will multiple app stores actually benefit your average iOS/iPadOS user? Also, why would an iOS/iPadOS user want to integrate with Googles messaging standards which are a decade behind iMessage?

The app store experience with iOS/iPadOS is simple and much safer than other app stores, and there’s already multiple device and OS agnostic messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Signal, etc.). All this just seems like a solution in search of a problem.