<p>In what could be the second app deal with a 10-digit price tag, Google (GOOG) is reportedly in talks to acquire cross-platform messaging app WhatsApp for close to $1 billion.</p><p>The report comes after Facebook (FB) shelled out $1 billion to acquire photo-sharing app Instagram last year ahead of its initial public offering.</p><p>According to tech blog Digital Trends, Google began talks with WhatsApp four or five weeks ago and the conversations have reached the point where the two sides are talking about a price.</p><p>WhatsApp is "playing hardball" and pushing for a higher acquisition price, which is currently "close to" $1 billion, the report said. The app is believed to generate somewhere around $100 million in annual revenue, Digital Trends said.</p><p><a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2013/04/08/report-google-could-grab-messaging-app-whatsapp-for-1b/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/news/2013/04/google_s_whatsapp_deal_why_the_big_g_needs_the_messaging_marvel/">Google&#039;s WhatsApp deal: why the Big G needs the messaging marvel</a> (uSwitch.com (Tech))</p><p><a href="http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_g/google/20130408_whatsapp.html">Google eyes popular cross platform messaging service WhatsApp</a> (domain-B)</p><p><a href="http://www.sci-tech-today.com/news/Is-WhatsApp-Worth-a-Billion-to-Google-/story.xhtml?story_id=0200028EK6Q4">Is the WhatsApp Messenger Worth a Billion to Google?</a> (Sci-Tech Today)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dV9C5pCTseOSy_MrWXUD-ZPnGMDxM&ned=us">91 additional articles.</a></p>