Google and Samsung to Create iMessage Rival for Android?

Google and Samsung are working on a special messaging app that’ll work between all Android and Samsung phones.

iMessage has been a reliable messaging tool for iPhone users. 

(Photo: Apple)

It’s been a while since Android users would have preferred normal SMS messages over apps like WhatsApp or WeChat. This has hindered revenue for telcos and even forced them to offer messages (to some extent) for free.

Now apparently, a report says that Google and Samsung are joining hands to free up the monopoly of these messaging apps with a new product. Samsung has said it is working with Google to offer improved messaging experiences that would allow users to engage in group chats and video calls and transfer large files without the need for additional apps.

The collaboration will ensure that Android Messages and Samsung Messages will work together seamlessly, and it will boost coverage of Rich Communication Services (RCS), an upgrade to the SMS messaging system, Yonhap news agency reported.

The South Korean tech giant said it would work to bring RCS features to existing mobile phones beginning with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus.

It also said its new Galaxy smartphones will natively support RCS messaging, starting with those on a set of carriers that have or will soon launch RCS.

Without revealing further details, Samsung has given a clear hint that its messaging product with Google is likely to act as an Android alternative of iMessage to more than 100 million users across the globe.

But looking at WhatsApp and its massive traction, with over 250 million active users reported in India itself, it’ll be tough for Samsung and Google to convince users to switch platforms. After all, the South Korean brand tried its hand with the so-called Android alternative Tizen and that’s come to nought after so many years.

All in all, let’s wait and watch if this messaging system in the works has enough utility to rival the best in its business.

(With IANS inputs)