After losing WhatsApp to Facebook (FB) in a multibillion dollar acquisition bid, Google (GOOG) is planning to launch its own mobile messaging app which the search giant is likely to test in India and other emerging markets. Last month, Google sent top product manager Nikhyl Singhal to India to do a recce of the messaging app ecosystem in the country as the company looks to catch up on an opportunity it lost to others.
The Google messenger is in early stages of development and is likely to be launched in 2015, sources aware of the plans said. A Google spokesperson, however, declined to comment. Google reportedly made an offer of over $10 billion (Rs 60,000 crore) to buy Whatsapp, the instant messaging app which was ultimately bought by Facebook for $19 billion Rs 1.2 lakh crore) in one of the largest technology deals.
Singhal, who is a product management director for Hangouts, Photos, Google+ core & Platform, is also touring other countries in Asia Pacific to understand local ecosystems better.
Unlike other Google products, the messenger will not force users to use their Google login. The company is also considering loalising the product by adding Indian language support and voiceto-text messaging. The messenger will also be free to use. WhatsApp, which will be its biggest competitor, has a freemium model where it charges Rs 53 annually after one year.
With the launch of its Android One initiative, which sought to bring together hardware vendors to sell affordable smartphones, India is increasingly becoming a testing ground for Google. In an interview with ET last month, top Google executive Sun-dar Pichai said the company wants to do more India specific launches because of the scale and scope of the market.
India is expected to become the world's second-largest smartphone market after China by 2019. For Google, the move comes a little late as other instant messengers like Viber, WeChat and Line have also created sizeable user bases.
Read more on this story at The Economic Times.
Comments
Log in or sign up to join the conversation.