Is Google finally ready to craft & release their version of iMessage for Android? Well, yes and no. Last night, the folks over at The Verge dropped a new report on another Android messaging app from Google.
We talked about it before w/ Google implementing more RCS features into their apps to replace standard texting w/ more iMessage-like features. The new report says that its actually happening very soon and it already has a name called Chat.
Some of Chat’s features will make its way to Android Messages app as well. To bring forth treats like access to QR codes, use of data instead of SMS, and more. Speaking of Android Messages, get ready for a desktop version of the app coming soon. And lastly, Google stated that Allo support has been halted. Makes sense as it is a great app that no one uses. So you might consider this the end of Allo. The Allo team will move to Messages as Google will continue to push & work on Duo & Hangouts.
Google is definitely better prepared for it as they already have 55 carriers and 11 phone makers on board. On top of that, they got Anil Sabharwal (now the former head of Google Photos) as the executive heading the app. Google is looking to rollout the Chat app within the next 12-18 months. Although, we may get an announcement about it in a few short weeks at I/O this year.
So who’s excited or pissed about this move from Google?
