[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 4G feature phone which already comes bundled with Jio’s own suite of apps is looking to tap Whatsapp’s 200 million user base by including a tailored version of the messaging app
Reliance Jio’s 4G feature phone, JioPhone , which was already announced with features not known in other such phones, is making further advancements to emulate smartphones.
Feature phones are mobile phones that incorporate features such as the ability to access the Internet and store and play music but lack the advanced functionality of a smartphone.
According to a report by Factor Daily, Reliance Jio officials are in talks with Whatsapp to create a special version of the messaging app for the JioPhone.
“The talks are on. We already have a relationship with Facebook… There are technical challenges. A version (of Whatsapp) is needed that will work optimally on the JioPhone,” the report quoted a source from Jio.
The phone was launched by Mukesh Ambani at the Annual General Meeting of the Reliance Industry. The phone will be available for a refundable security deposit of Rs 1,500 from September and comes loaded with Jio Apps and supports YouTube and Facebook as well.
However, the phone’s expected success was still doubted by many due to its inability to support India’s most popular messaging app Whatsapp. The Instant messaging app claims to have 200 million users in India.
“Having a specialised version of Whatsapp will be a unique selling point for Jio handsets, and will help them to grow in the market as well,” the report quoted a senior analyst with a consultancy firm.
As the JioPhone runs KaiOS, an operating system based on Firefox OS, Whatsapp will have to create a new version especially for the JioPhone. Apparently, the version will be a light one and some features available in the android version will be missing.
Notably, this will not be the first time that Whatsapp will be available in a feature phone. The messaging app was earlier made available for Nokia feature phones running on Symbian platform.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]