Petty of Apple to hamper usability so much
They haven’t hampered so much as they haven’t done anything to support it. Microsoft are just using Bluetooth notifications to do this as a workaround.
For the second point, I can’t wait for the day (that may never come) that we have a universal standard for messaging. I cannot stand WhatsApp, can only use iMessage with other iOS users etc. Single companies like Meta and Apple shouldn’t be given a virtual monopoly over texting