Amazon reportedly working on a standalone messaging app called Anytime

It appears that Amazon is all set to take on the world's most popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and more, as it is reportedly foraying into the crowded messaging space.

AFT news reports that Amazon is working on a standalone app called Anytime, and suggests it will be an "all-in-one feature rich service" that could even rival social networks. It also says that Amazon has already started surveying customers about the new messaging service, and asking them about the most important features.

Just like other popular messaging apps, Anytime will feature messaging, customize a chat, voice calls, video calls, share locations and photo sharing. Users will also be able to apply filters like special effects or masks to photo and videos, @mention other users in a group to avoid confusion, use stickers & GIFS, and play games with friends. 

However, users will be able to add friends by just using their names, instead of adding phone number. It is not clear how this will be done, but the report says, Anytime hooks into existing social networks and other messaging services to add friends. The app will also have end-to-end encryption to keep the chat private.

The report also adds that, Anytime will even allow users to chat with businesses, make reservation and shop from Amazon as well. Although the report doesn't mention, it can be expected that Amazon's digital assistant Alexa will also be integrated into the messaging service. Anytime is also said to work across both desktop and mobile devices, including both Android and iPhone. 

Earlier this year, Amazon announced Chime earlier this year, a video conferencing app for enterprise user, designed to compete with Skype for Business. It also added voice calling and messaging feature to Echo hardware's Alexa app. The new Anytime app appears to be designed for the masses to take on popular messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp among others. However, it is not known, when Amazon's standalone messaging service will see the light of the day. 

Source | Via