Apple Business Chat launches in Australia

A year after Apple's Business Chat was first mooted, the service is now available for Australian organisations that want to reach customers using iOS devices.

Business Chat integrates with the built-in Messages app on iPhones and iPads, and allows consumers to contact companies via the service.

Apple has added support for Business Chat in Maps and the Safari web browser as well as Search for iOS. Customers with enquiries can tap a Messages icon in the apps to start conversations with companies they are looking up.

Furthermore, Apple Pay is also built into Business Chat, allowing customers to make payments directly from the Messages app.

In Australia, Telstra is trying out Business Chat on a limited scale.

"We introduced Apple Business Chat to our customers this week. We are trialling this with a small number of customers to begin with, so we can evaluate customer engagement and feedback," a Telstra spokesperson said.

"While it’s early days, customer response has been positive."

Retailer Harvey Norman is also onboard, along with Apple itself, the Hilton and Four Seasons hotel chains, telcos Vodafone and T-Mobile and other global brands.