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Business Chat in iOS: How it works and which businesses support it

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
  • Business Chat: Now available in beta

    Business Chat: Now available in beta

    Apple has added major new tool to its Messages app: Business Chat. It essentially allows businesses to offer real-time customer support to iPhone and iPad users.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Newegg

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Access it from Safari, Maps, Spotlight, or Siri

    Business Chat: Access it from Safari, Maps, Spotlight, or Siri

    Using Safari, Maps, Spotlight, or even Siri, you can find any business that supports Business Chat. And, from those same services, you can initiate a text-based conversation with the business. The conversation will take place in Apple's Messages app.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Lowe's

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Look for the Messages icon

    Business Chat: Look for the Messages icon

    So, if you're looking up a business in Maps, just tap the Messages icon to start a conversation.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Marriot

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Also acessible from websites and apps

    Business Chat: Also acessible from websites and apps

    Many businesses even let you start a conversation directly from their app or site -- just look for this Chat with Messages icon.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: 1-800 Flowers

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Use it to offer or get real-time customer support

    Business Chat: Use it to offer or get real-time customer support

    While in a chat with a business, you can get answers to your questions, resolve any issues, schedule appointments, and file a dispute -- all from the same thread.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Home Depot

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Checkout with Apple Pay

    Business Chat: Checkout with Apple Pay

    You can even shop and complete transactions (through Apple Pay only).

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Apple

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Smart suggestions and predictive text

    Business Chat: Smart suggestions and predictive text

    For appointments, Business Chat will link to your own calendar and smartly suggest times that don't conflict with your schedule. Business Chat also offers predictive text, which means it'll auto-load an address or number if a business should ask for it.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Lowe's

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Most conversations are with live agents

    Business Chat: Most conversations are with live agents

    Most conversations will be with live agents, though you may get some automated responses for simple requests.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Lowe's

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Customers control their conversations

    Business Chat: Customers control their conversations

    Only you can start a conversation, and you'll see a different thread for each business in the Messages app. Once you delete a thread, the business can't contact you again until you start another conversation with it.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Newegg

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: Customers can keep their information private

    Business Chat: Customers can keep their information private

    A business can't see your personal information, like your name or phone number or payment details, unless you share it for appointments or other reasons.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: A handful of businesses support it at launch

    Business Chat: A handful of businesses support it at launch

    A bunch of businesses have already signed up, including Discover, Hilton, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Marriot, Newegg, Ameritrade, Wells Fargo, and 1-800 Flowers. Each business can integrate their own customer service platforms and develop custom features for certain tasks.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Apple

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • Business Chat: It's in beta and US-only for now

    Business Chat: It's in beta and US-only for now

    Business Chat is now available in the Messages app on iPhone and iPad. It's in beta and is US-only for now.

    Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

    Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

    Photo by: Newegg

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
ZDNet Editors

By ZDNet Editors | April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT) | Topic: Mobility

  • Business Chat: Now available in beta
  • Business Chat: Access it from Safari, Maps, Spotlight, or Siri
  • Business Chat: Look for the Messages icon
  • Business Chat: Also acessible from websites and apps
  • Business Chat: Use it to offer or get real-time customer support
  • Business Chat: Checkout with Apple Pay
  • Business Chat: Smart suggestions and predictive text
  • Business Chat: Most conversations are with live agents
  • Business Chat: Customers control their conversations
  • Business Chat: Customers can keep their information private
  • Business Chat: A handful of businesses support it at launch
  • Business Chat: It's in beta and US-only for now

If you're a business looking for new ways to offer customer support, or maybe you're an iPhone or iPad user who wants a way to easily contact a business, consider using Business Chat. Apple launched the new tool via its iOS 11.3 update. Here's how it works and which businesses support it at launch.

Read More Read Less

Business Chat: Now available in beta

Apple has added major new tool to its Messages app: Business Chat. It essentially allows businesses to offer real-time customer support to iPhone and iPad users.

Read also: Apple brings 'Business Chat' to Apple Messages | Apple releases iOS 11.3 with iPhone battery tool and Business Chat

Published: April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT)

Caption by: ZDNet Editors

1 of 12 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Mobility Apple Smartphones Mobile OS Security Hardware
ZDNet Editors

By ZDNet Editors | April 9, 2018 -- 18:30 GMT (11:30 PDT) | Topic: Mobility

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