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iMessage could soon work on Android phones in India thanks to Google.
Apple has done its best to keep iMessage exclusive to iPhone users for many years but soon Android users in India will get a chance to chat with the Blue bubble folks. Yes, the popular messaging service is likely to be introduced for Android users in the country via the Rich Communication Services or RCS Chat from the company. Reports this week claim Apple is talking to Google for the RCS integration to work in India before the end of this year.
For those who are not aware, RCS messaging is the Android version of iMessage and its features are similar to those you have on apps like WhatsApp. It supports multimedia messages, rich text content, lets you share files, videos and even images.
The service has faced challenges from established platforms like WhatsApp but Google has tried to make RCS work by making the Messages app to support RCS and offering its own network to run the service. Bringing iMessage to the fold will surely appeal to many Android users and give WhatsApp a tough run in the market.
Apple has made a similar deal with Google to run iMessage in other regions, but in India it will need support from the local telecom operators to push the service.
It is likely that spam detection will be part of the whole setup, something that the Google Messages app is notorious for with the RCS messaging feature. Jio and Vi already allow RCS chat service in the country and businesses will surely be eyeing the iPhone user base with the iMessage integration for Android devices.
Delhi, India, India
