Instant messaging is a type of technology that offers real-time message and media transmission over the internet. It dates back to the early 90’s and some of the first platforms were AOL instant messenger and Yahoo’s Ytalk. But the launch of modern smartphones has completely revolutionised instant messaging and taken it to another level. WhatsApp and Facebook messenger are the prime examples of new era of Instant messaging. However, there are multiple other IM applications and software that have their own distinctive attributes and USP’s. Here is a list of 5 such applications that are available on both Android and iOS platforms.
1.) HikeHike messenger is a [...]
At Facebook’s F8 Conference, the company focussed a lot on data privacy and essentially showing how much it cares for every user’s data. While all of these features are essential for a safer space on the internet, the company also unveiled a few interesting features for Instagram and WhatsApp. One of those features was group voice and video calling. Now, the new feature is rolling out to WhatsApp Beta users.
First and foremost, only users who have signed up for WhatsApp Beta will be able to use this feature for now. It is worth noting that the WhatsApp Beta program on Play Store is already full. This means that WhatsApp is not signing up any new Beta testers. While [...]
Facebook has been embroiled in a huge debate about the internet as a whole. As social media has grown to become such an integral part of our lives, it is no secret that users have given more personal information than needed to various social media platforms over the years. Facebook has been under the cosh for allegedly, not using that information in an ethical manner. Now, it appears that the conversation of privacy has trickled down to Facebook-owned properties, mainly WhatsApp. Co-founder and CEO of WhatsApp, Jan Koum has announced that he will be leaving WhatsApp soon.
It's been almost a decade since Brian and I started WhatsApp, and it's been an [...]
Not a long time ago, we used to send wishes through postcards, which was later replaced by SMS. However, the rise of the internet has made SMS services redundant. Instant messengers have evolved into more than just text messaging mediums. Users can do things like international video calling to sending money, all in one single app. While these apps are free to use, the internet is the only prerequisite.
The instant messengers help for all kind of stuff. From making an international video call to sharing a presentation. However, usually, the only requirement of these apps is the internet. Almost all the instant messengers work fine in either cellular data or a Wi-Fi network. So, [...]
What many will take as a safety solution, a location sharing feature that will share your location live with anyone you enable this feature with, hits the worlds most popular messaging application, WhatApp. With this new capability users can share their live location via a message help their friends/loved ones track them live.
Since all communicating between two parties is encrypted, WhatsApp claims this private location sharing will remain secure and encrypted for the privacy protection of the users.
The feature will go live across platforms whether iOS or Android and users will be able to initiate it though the location shirring menu in their apps. Whats even more [...]
WhatsApp has added a new feature to its ranks, quite similar to Facebook’s colourful status update. Apparently, now you can change our WhatsApp status update to suit your mood. The Users will now be able to update their statuses with more than just images or videos, and use colourful meme-like text posts.
The new feature which is rolling out to Android and iOS devices, lets you write a snippet of text, choose a background color, and customize the font. This feature is specifically for WhatsApp’s Snapchat Stories clone. The Snapchat-like status update which disappears in 24 hours, was first introduced in February. Last month, Facebook announced that WhatsApp [...]
The most popular messaging application in the world just hit a mammoth milestone. WhatsApp announced that it has hit the daily 1 billion active users mark and the growth is incredible! Compared to the numbers from last year where WhatsApp had 1 billion active users every month, this jump is massive and quite astonishing. To add to that, WhatsApp’s rendition of Snapchat stories has hit the 250 million daily active users mark as well. Interestingly, this is much more than what Snapchat itself enjoys currently.
The Facebook-owned company shared this news in a blog post, stating that active users per month have reached 1.3 billion. Moreover, about 55 billion messages are [...]
WhatsApp has updated its Terms of Service now that the Facebook control is starting to seep through. WhatsApp says it will start sharing the phone numbers of its users with Facebook, its parent company.
You can Opt Out if you do not want this by going to Settings - Account. Click to TweetWhatsApp says they want a n easier way for people including businesses to find you. However, there will be no third-party banner ads on WhatsApp nor Spam.
The intention is to charge companies to allow user to make transactions, and get appointment information, things like delivery and shipping notifications, product and service updates, and marketing. Which would [...]
Come December 2016, WhatsApp will end all support for handsets running Symbian, Nokia S40 and all Blackberry operating systems. The Facebook-owned chat application will also remove support for those running on older versions of Windows mobile, Android and iOS.
The full list of operating systems :
BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10 Nokia S40 Nokia Symbian S60 Android 2.1 and Android 2.2 Windows Phone 7.1 iPhone 3GS/iOS 6The company did apologise for ending the services but, claims that if it is to offer newer services including encryption and voice calling, users will need to upgrade to newer gen handsets.
This was a tough decision for us to make, but [...]
A server side update on the popular messaging app, WhatsApp, has allowed the ability to replay to certain messages by selecting them and then pressing the reply text popup.
This then includes the message you are replying to , to make more sense in chaotic group chats. WhatsApp also previousl allowed you to include some basic formatting in your messages inlcuding Bold Text, Italics text and Strikethrough.
• Bold: Add an asterisk (*) before and after the specific words or phrases you want to embolden e.g. *hello*
• Italics: Add an underscore (_) before and after your chosen words or phrases e.g. _hello_
• Strikethrough: Add a tilde (~) before and [...]
WhatsApp is finally ready to take on the likes of Skype, FaceTime and even Facebook Messenger with their very own video calling feature.
The App has included a Video call button on the latest android beta app in attempts to test the features. out. However, the button is not working at the moment. German website Macerkopf was able to initiate the video call and has shown off the screenshots.
Macerkopf says that the feature is currently being tested internally for WhatsApp version 2.12.16.2 for iOS and the build is for developers and beta testers.
If WhatsApp does include this feature, it will take a huge blow at rivals which already train in the number of [...]
Blackberry is not doing so well, proof of that is the fact that WhatsApp and Facebook are officially killing App support for the platform. Previously known as RIM, Blackberry has not seen a good record in the past few years. With almost all their devices not doing well, either due to price or specifications.
The news which is about a month old has left Blackberry in disappointment. The apps are supposed to end their support end of 2016 leaving any Blackberry users fending for themselves, as no more updates will be available post that. However, devices like the company’s Priv, that work on Android will not be a part of this end of service, and will continue to enjoy [...]
