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Tag: whatsapp

You can now use Messenger without a Facebook account

Whether you use an iPhone or an Android phone, chances are you already have Facebook Messenger installed. The good news however is that you no longer need to have a Facebook account to access Messenger.

As a Messenger user who doesn’t have a FB account you will now be able to use Messenger to send messages to other Messenger users who’ve also signed up without joining Facebook (discoverable by phone number) and also with those friends that have a Facebook account.

This recent move makes Messenger quite similar to WhatsApp, the popular messaging tool that Facebook acquired last year for a whooping $19 billion. WhatsApp has approximately 800 million users with Messenger coming in close with 700 million users.

With Facebook building a Messenger platform that is more than easy to use and now opening it up to non-Facebook users, it is unclear what the company sees for the future of WhatsApp. At the very least, acquiring WhatsApp ensured the massive user base could no longer be swooped by a rival company.

June 29, 2015
WhatsApp now with Free Calling Service, new Sharing Extensions, and More…

The popular cross-platform chatting service WhatsApp recently released a major update to its iPhone app introducing some new ways to share content with family and friends.

The latest update to the iPhone app allows WhatsApp uses to call other connected users around the world for free. Similar to FaceTime Audio and Skype, WhatsApp calling service uses VoIP rather than the regular cellular service to make calls.

This feature has been expected for a while now since Facebook introduced the same service sometime last year. WhatsApp confirms that this new service will be rolling out to subscribers over the next few weeks.

This updated version will also include an iOS 8 sharing extension that makes it easy to send links, photos, and video to other WhatsApp users from other apps on the iPhone. You can also edit your contacts right from the app, access the camera, or send crop, rotate, and send multiple videos at once.

May 7, 2015
Hike Messaging App to Offer Free Voice Calling Provided by Zip Phone

Hike has spread its wings in the messaging app market. The Indian messaging app company has acquired Zip Phone, a US based VoIP service provider. This is a big deal for the company as the CEO explained that Hike users have been requesting the free calls service technology. Hike and Zip phone have not disclosed any financial details so far.

Hike’s CEO said that “Zip phone’s technology will allow us to bring free voice calling to the market much faster. Incidentally, this is one of the top requested features from our users as well.” Hike plans to incorporate this feature in its messaging app.

Even with the over 35 million users, Hike hopes that more smartphone users will start using the app. Zip is accessible to many people as its available for both iOS and Android platforms and it uses Wi-Fi network to enable phone call.

Anuj Jain, the CEO for Zip Phone commented on the deal saying, “As a start up enthusiasts, I had been keeping a close eye on hike and its developments and I am excited to now be part of one of the biggest and fastest growing startups in the Indian internet space and finally, building for India.”

With over 90% user base from India, Hike claims it handles over 10 billion messages every month. The company claims that that last year it raised $65 million through funding led by Tiger Global.

Though the company is doing well mostly in its place of origin, it needs to gain a worldwide user base so as to compete with other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Line, and WeChat. The acquisition of the new app could help it get more subscribers worldwide.

February 5, 2015
WhatsApp Will Soon Include Free VoIP Calls

Jan Koum, the CEO of WhatsApp, declared in February a WhatsApp update that will offer free VoIP calls for the Blackberry, Android, Windows phone, and iOS. The Voice over IP is still to be seen occurring as an upgrade even though its launch was speculated for the second half of this year. If the VoIP feature is enabled, it will certainly put WhatsApp at per with some of the most renowned calling and messaging applications like Skype and Viber.

Nonetheless, WhatsApp have a greater advantage when compared to their rivals in the sense that the application is much simpler to master and it also utilizes less bandwidth – this consequently eliminates lags and delays during voice calls.

A few depicted screenshots of the anticipated update have leaked showing arrangements that the call will be initiated from chat. However, the calling is anticipated not to impede with instant messaging. Only after the user grants the application permission to make the call will the VoIP call be initiated successfully.

The leaks also suggest a call button, mute, speakerphone, and the VoIP calls can be made by 3G connections as well as Wi-Fi.

The cost of making the VoIP calls has not yet been disclosed but they are expected to be a little lower compared to other VoIP providers.

Source: tech2

September 3, 2014
Nokia Asha 210, the first mobile with a WhatsApp button

Nokia is introducing Asha 210, a brand new social smartphone that is proud to be the first smartphone that has its own WhatsApp button. According to Nokia, it is described as the phone that allows you to "have your social life at your fingertips."

Nokia Asha 210 is considered a budget smartphone and it targets people that enjoy using social networks, but don't want to spend a fortune for a phone. Asha 210 has 2.4-inch display, a QWERTY keyboard, it supports Wi-Fi and 2G connections, while it also has a 2MP camera. It is available in yellow, cyan and magenta and it has been significantly advertised for its unique button for the famous WhatsApp application. WhatsApp is an app that allows you to chat with your friends easily and without any cost, either with calls, or messages. It is available for iOS, Android, Windows phone and Blackberry, which increases the possibilities of chatting with your friends for free. Nokia has already announced that WhatsApp will be free for its users, despite other platforms selling it at a minimum cost.

"The Nokia Asha 210 really stands out giving super-social consumers new ways to express their personalities through design, color and innovations like the world's first WhatsApp button," explains Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "It has been designed to allow people to easily update their social networks, stay in touch with friends and share user created content."

What is even more important is that the Asha 210 is going to have a starting price of $72, while it is expected during the second quarter of 2013. As it seems, Nokia is trying to focus at a young age audience, trying to persuade them with the social integration, the beautiful colors and the low price. Asha 210 has already been discussed a lot and this might be the start of a successful phone.

April 26, 2013