Google rumour: WhatsApp buyout for $1B

If you use a modern smartphone there is a good chance that you will have the excellent WhatsApp installed. This very popular software is sought after by Google who are said to be contemplating a $1B takeover deal for the company who create it.

Digital Trends apparently have access to people close to the negotiations and that the WhatsApp team are ‘playing hardball' in regards to the takeover deal. If Google acquired the WhatsApp software it would become a strong part of their communications arsenal.

Other rumours point to the ‘Babble' project, apparently a cross platform communications system between their services. AppleInsider add “The rumored WhatsApp negotiations could be a means of bringing an accomplished team into Google's own operations, as Google did when it acquired popular iOS mail app Sparrow in July.”

Google is said to have approached the WhatsApp team last year, discussing a possible takeover deal. At this time Facebook were also said to be in negotiations on a takeover.

WhatsApp is an alternative, multi platform chat client, in the style of BlackBerry Messenger. It already has tens of millions of users globally who use Android, Blackberry, Apple iOS and Windows Phone. It rates as the second most popular application on Apple's App Store and they said that 18 billion messages were sent on New Years Eve.

The company only charge a straightforward $1 a year subscription fee. The company have not released details on their revenue, but Digital Trends source said the company are making around $100 million a year in revenue.

Kitguru says: Is a Google takeover a good move for the future of the software?

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