Arratai the instant messaging home-grown desi application developed by Zoho Corporation based in Chennai is slowly becoming a strong contender for WhatsApp. The application has been trending at the number one position on Apple App Stores in the Social Media and Networking Category for quite some time.
What is Sridhar Vembu talking about?
Interestingly Sridhar Vembu co-founder of Arratai and CEO of Zoho has suggested of a feature that will further increase Arratai’s compatibility and usability. In September this year, Sridhar Vembu suggested the idea of standardisation of messaging protocols between apps, similar to how UPI works today across different apps. He posted on ‘X’ about the same asking other instant messaging platforms to also work upon this idea to develop an effortless ecosystem for users.
Sridhar Vembu wrote, “These systems need to be interoperable like UPI and email, and not closed like WhatsApp today. We do not want to be a monopoly ever.”
What is Cross-Compatibility?
Cross Compatibility feature pitched by Sridhar Vembu in simple language means that an individual using WhatsApp will not require to create a seperate account on Arratai to chat with a person using Arratai. This feature enables people to communicate on different messaging platforms without having to download multiple applications and accounts. This feature is very similar to how UPI applications work wherin one individual using ‘A’ application can send money to a person using ‘B’ Application without having to download the ‘A’ application.
Is WhatsApp working on this feature?
Interestingly according to reports WhatsApp is already working on rolling out this Cross compatibility feature by next year. According to WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing a feature that would allow users to text people on other messaging platforms. While this is currently limited to beta testers in Europe, this feature could allow you to send messages from WhatsApp to someone who may be using Arattai. You can hold conversations with the Arattai user without having to open the Arattai app.
While it may seem that WhatsApp has beaten Vembu’s team to it, it is likely that the Meta-owned platform is testing this feature due to European Union (EU) regulations.
Has EU mandated this feature?
The EU’s Digital Markets Act is aimed at curbing monopolies by big tech companies. Large messaging platforms like WhatsApp are also mandated to have “open communication channels to other services.”
Will WhatsApp bring this feature to India?
For now, it appears that cross-compatibility will remain restricted to European markets to meet regulations. WhatsApp has not made any comments on expanding access to other regions, including India.
