NEW DELHI: For years WhatsApp has ruled the instant messaging game — both on Android and iPhone — as there hasn’t been any viable alternative. Those who use iPhones have an alternative in the form of iMessage — Apple’s default messaging platform — but it lacks the multitude of features that WhatsApp brings. However, it looks that is now set to change. As per a Bloomberg report, Apple’s iMessage in all likelihood will get some WhatsApp features. With Apple’s annual developers’ conference, WWDC, less than a month away, it is expected that the Cupertino-based tech giant will get a lot of new features on its iOS. One such feature that is expected to come to iMessage is that it will allow iPhone users to set a profile picture and display name — something that is already present on WhatsApp. Also, iPhone users will able to choose who all can see their display name and profile pictures.
Not just that iMessage is expected to get a new “dedicated menu in the conversation view to send sticker versions of Animojis,” says the Bloomberg report. iPhone users will also be able to send Memojis — a different form of Animoji that was introduced in iOS 12 at last year’s WWDC conference. At the WWDC 2019, it is expected that Apple will showcase all things new that will come on iPhones through iOS. Not just that new features are expected to come on macOS and WatchOS.
Interestingly, it was Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who last year had said that Apple’s iMessage is the social media’s “biggest competition.” Citing the example of US, where iPhone sales remain strong, Zuckerberg had said that, “Apple bundles iMessage as the default text app and it’s still ahead.” Zuckerberg though was talking about Facebook’s competition and not his social media-owned messaging platform. It looks like WhatsApp could be facing some heat from an unlikely source: Apple.