WhatsApp May Face Competition From Google Soon

Popular mobile messaging app WhatsApp may soon have a rival in the form of a Google messaging app, according to a report in a business daily.

Software giant Google is planning to launch the mobile messaging app and is likely to test the product in India and other emerging markets, the newspaper reported citing sources.

The messenger will be free and unlike other Google products, will not need a Google login, the report said. The Google mobile app, if launched will compete with the likes of WhatsApp, Line and Hike.

Google is also looking to localise the mobile chat app by adding Indian language support and voice-to-text messaging, the report said.

A Google spokeswoman said the company did not comment on speculation.

(With inputs from Reuters)