Can Google's Messaging Service Compete With Rivals Apple and Facebook?

's

Google is planning to bring out a new messaging application in the coming year. On Tuesday, the

reported that the tech giant is hoping to bring customers a more advanced messaging service that uses the company's artificial intelligence (AI) research to deliver a unique experience. However, with

's

iMessages and

's

Messenger, many wonder if there is space for yet another messaging service.

Google says its mobile messaging app will differ from what customers can get on the market right now, because the firm's ongoing AI research will allow the messaging service to answer questions using chatbots. The service will pull information from the web in order to answer users' questions in addition to allowing people to connect with friends like a traditional messaging app. The app is also rumored to be built in such a way that developers will be able to build apps that plug into the instant messaging window.

While it remains unclear as to when the app will be released or what it will be called, many are expecting to see both Facebook and Apple step up their messaging services in the coming year as well to ensure that Google doesn't steal their thunder. Facebook has already been working on a project that will incorporate a virtual assistant into its Messenger app in order to allow users to do things like shop or find a restaurant from within the app. There has been no word as to what Apple is planning in the coming year as far as its own message service, but some caution that advancements from both Google and Facebook could impact Apple's stronghold on the app market negatively.