Software giant Google Inc plans to launch a mobile messaging app it is likely to test in India and other emerging markets, the Economic Times reported on Friday, citing sources.
If launched, the mobile app will compete in the mobile chat space with the likes of WhatsApp, Line and Hike.
The daily said Google was in the early stages of development of the app, which will not make it mandatory to use a Google login. Moreover, unlike WhatsApp, where users have to pay Rs 53 annually after one year of usage, Google’s messaging app will be free.
The Mountain View, California-based company is also looking at localisation, by adding Indian language support and voice-to-text messaging, the newspaper said.
A Google spokeswoman said the company did not comment on speculation.