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WhatsApp is a mobile
software or application which can be loaded in smart phones and
used for instant messaging. It is similar to instant messengers
like Yahoo and Gtalk , but meant only for mobiles and not PC.
One important difference is that it does not need a separate
membership id or e-mail add for adding contacts and sending
messages. Mobile number of the user works as WhatsApp id and the
same is required for sending messages to each other. The service
is free of charge and was recently purchased by Facebook. The
user needs to have a data connection on the device as the
messages are routed through internet.
Growing popularity of
WhatsApp service is coming as a threat to traditional SMS or
short messagaing service. In case of SMS the subscriber pays on
a per SMS basis while in case of WhatsApp virtually unlimited
messages can be sent for only a fraction of data usage cost.
Moreover WhatsApp allows one to send multimedia messages with
pictures, audio and video. Groups can also be formed on WhatsApp
which allows a single message to be sent to all the people in
the group on one go.
Of late WhatsApp is being
offered on basic java based feature phones also. It is available
across the major mobile operating system platforms be it iOS,
Windows, Blackberry or Android. Simple interface and easy to use
options have made it the default choice of many users. Network
operators have seen a drastic fall in SMS volumes in recent
times due to migration of users to WhatsApp. Due to growing
popularity more than half a billion people use WhatsApp on a
daily basis.
WhatsApp initially had a
yearly subscription model but after being acquired by Facebook
is now completely free for end users. Mobile subscriber just
needs an active mobile number with data connection to install
and use this service free on their mobile devices. It works in
real-time and users from one mobile platform can send messages
to users on other platform. And best of all the service is Ad
free. |
