Path on Friday announced the launch of a new messaging app for iPhone and Android dubbed Talk, and the acquisition of a start-up TalkTo.
The new separate messaging app’s ‘Place Messaging’ feature will let users to communicate with one another and also ask questions with local businesses, such as whether they have particular items in stock or if they have an open table for dinner.
“When you look at your messages, you’re calling a lot of businesses, and yet texting a lot of friends and family — why can’t you text message businesses in your life?” CEO Dave Morin said announcing the new app in an interview at the company’s headquarters in San Francisco.
In addition, Path Talk will also include an ambient status feature, which keeps track of when the user and their friends are on the move, are nearby or have low battery. The app further offers quick replies, group chats, voice messaging, stickers, contact syncing, the ability to message songs, movies, maps, voice, video, and much more.
However, the company said the feature to communicate with businesses will not arrive until this summer. Path Talk is currently available for download from Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store for free.
Path also announced it has acquired TalkTo, a place messaging service that helps people communicate with local businesses via text messages, for an undisclosed amount. The private social network also said that it has entirely removed its existing characteristic limit on friends.
