Apple announced during the launch event that the new iOS 10 mobile operating system update would feature upgraded iMessages that will integrate a number of apps including bitcoin trading app Circle.
According to a report by South China Morning Post, Apple has added an app-like “store” to bring third-party apps into the programme. Apart from Circle, other third-party apps include Square Cash for payments, ride-hailing app Lyft and e-commerce site Spring.
“There’s a hurdle to have to install a smartphone app so that I can pay my buddy and all the inputting and set up. To do it all within the iMessages app is a lot easier,” Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle said.
Jeremy also stated that adding Circle payments to Apple iMessages reduces ‘the friction’ for consumers. The integration of Circle enables common users to adopt bitcoin and other digital currency trading into their daily life.
In order to use the new features in iMessage, a user needs to leave the programme to search in the big app store, which has more than 2 million apps.
The beta version of iOS 10 has been released and consists of available apps, photos, music and GIFs that can be added to iMessage texts. The company is planning to add more when iOS 10 is officially released, expected by mid-September.
