>>I was curious if you could tell me what value WhatsApp is actually providing? I used to think like this too. Then I went on an overseas trip with a group of

>>I was curious if you could tell me what value WhatsApp is actually providing? I used to think like this too. Then I went on an overseas trip with a group of thirty baby-boomers (parents' friends). What I saw blew my mind. Despite the fact that most people on the group could barely use a computer, they were very savvy and frequent WhatsApp users. They had created a group prior to the trip and everyone was a member, and throughout the trip the app was used to coordinate meeting times, share cool finds, joke around and exchange photos taken with the rest of the group. If a sub-group split up from the main group for a few hours, they quickly created their own group within the app, and then discarded it after joining with the main group. All within seconds. Even the several 70+ year olds in the group were using it and having a great time. Then I realized: WhatsApp is an easier-to-use, more reliable, more secure and free version of SMS. That's why it's a big deal.