I want to develop a simple instant messaging application like whatsapp. I discovered the GCM cloud push system from google. I used it to do simple stuffs and it worked. but I noticed that for it to work you have to add a google account of every device that is lower that android 4.0. My question is this supposing I have a production Instant Messaging app that is using GCM.
Does this mean that my users must add a google account before they can use my application?
All instant messaging application that I know of once you install you can use without adding google account on your android phones. how did they do theirs. Please I need advice cos I am new to instant messaging apps on android.