WeChat to take on rival WhatsApp?

As the fretting telcos are grappling with tantrums, the consumer apps are poised to be a lucrative segment. While messaging apps such as Google and Facebook are reaching hayday, a fierce rivalry between WhatsApp and WeChat is brewing.

WhatsApp and WeChat feature similar messaging capabilities and are available for free download and use. These two apps are available on smartphone platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows, Symbian, and BlackBerry. Both the rivals have been able to maintain almost similar number of consumers.

While rumors of WhatsApp's Google acquisition take churns, WeChat, owned by China-based Tencent, is eyeing user-base surge which currently stands at roughly 300 mn. It has also recently wedged deals with Yahoo Cricket, Tradus, Goibibo, Cafe Coffee Day and Big Bazaar.

Speaking to CIOL, Tencent India president Rahul Razdan said that they are currently focusing to increase the user engagement in India. "Our WeChat app has already caught the imagination of youth and also of organizations in India. The consumers who use could easily see value preposition in it," he said.

Commenting on competition, Razdan said that they strive to improve their service, based on their own set of benchmarks. He further added, "WeChat offers many unique and innovative features that have been designed with the end-user in mind."

Improving the product experience vis-a-vis growing user engagement, Razdan said, it is the key focus area for them. Tencent is also looking forward for partnerships in the mobile internet eco-system to facilitate value addition for end users.

First Published in CIOL http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/189070/wechat-rival-whatsapp-really