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I think built-in to your phone is part of it. It’s also very simple and replaces SMS automagically. Otherwise you need to sign up and log in to some other serv
by andyferris 3y ago
I think built-in to your phone is part of it. It’s also very simple and replaces SMS automagically.
Otherwise you need to sign up and log in to some other service. Meaning everyone you talk to needs to do the same. With the SMS fallback this doesn’t “feel” like that.
- kwanbix 3y agoThanks, I see your point, but registering an account with WhatsApp is one of the easiest things to do, you just give your phone number, and you get an SMS that WhatsApp even reads itself (at least on android), and that's it. On the other side, with iMessage, there is a huge chance somebody does not have it, and worst, cannot have it because they don't have an iPhone. Again, 40% of the people in the USA owns an Android phone. Is a lot.
- jwestbury 3y agoSure - but I can use iMessage on my phone to text those people anyway. WhatsApp has basically zero market penetration in North America, unlike Europe, so there's no network effect to speak of.
- kwanbix 3y agoBut you can message me, but you cannot have a group with me, you cannot send me pictures or videos with good quality, etc. I lived in the US for 1.5 years between 2010 and 2009, and we all used WhatsApp. I never heard or used iMessage.