3 ms·

The nmbers are actually irrelevant. The key thing is that Whatsapp has the potential to become a rival to Facebook (or be acquired by some company that seeks to

The nmbers are actually irrelevant. The key thing is that Whatsapp has the potential to become a rival to Facebook (or be acquired by some company that seeks to compete with Facebook). Facebook needs to avoid that at all costs, so is prepared to pay whatever it takes to acquire potential rivals, thus removing the threat. See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7267516 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7267516

naterator 13y ago
You know, since I heard the news I kept hearing people make that argument and I thought, "But Whatsapp and Facebook are completely different products and markets." ... And then I realized that the only thing I use Facebook for is keeping in touch with people. And Whatsapp could easily fill in for 80% of what I do on Facebook. Indeed, they are trying to neutralize competition. Sadly, I remember the days of Microsoft's near-monopoly on desktop computing, and I'll be getting rid of whatsapp within the week. On to Telegram or whoever is willing to make an identical app that isn't owned by FB or Google or whoever. The question will be whether I can convince others to switch.
- m3mnoch 13y ago
  i'm not really sure they're the same. seems to me that whatsapp is more of an active "keeping in touch with friends" where facebook's forte is more of a passive "keeping in touch with friends". that would make them fairly harmonious in my book -- hence the autonomy.
- edwintorok 13y ago
  It surprises me that there people still using WhatsApp given its bad security, and having to pay for it after a year? What keeps people from switching to other alternatives? Doesn't Telegram/Textsecure etc. offer the same, while being completely free? But I guess Facebook acquiring them explains it: I don't use Facebook either, so now I'm even less inclined to use WhatsApp.
Grue3 13y ago
How is Whatsapp even remotely the same thing as Facebook? Were SMS ever considered to be a rival to Facebook?
- jackgavigan 13y ago
  It's not but it could be. All Whatsapp would have to do is expand the functionality of their app to include more social networking features.
  - ulfw 13y ago
    Yea and all Ford has to do is put rotisserie grills on their F150s and they could beat McDonalds. Odd argument.

naterator 13y ago

You know, since I heard the news I kept hearing people make that argument and I thought, "But Whatsapp and Facebook are completely different products and markets." ... And then I realized that the only thing I use Facebook for is keeping in touch with people. And Whatsapp could easily fill in for 80% of what I do on Facebook. Indeed, they are trying to neutralize competition. Sadly, I remember the days of Microsoft's near-monopoly on desktop computing, and I'll be getting rid of whatsapp within the week. On to Telegram or whoever is willing to make an identical app that isn't owned by FB or Google or whoever. The question will be whether I can convince others to switch.

m3mnoch 13y ago
i'm not really sure they're the same. seems to me that whatsapp is more of an active "keeping in touch with friends" where facebook's forte is more of a passive "keeping in touch with friends". that would make them fairly harmonious in my book -- hence the autonomy.
edwintorok 13y ago
It surprises me that there people still using WhatsApp given its bad security, and having to pay for it after a year? What keeps people from switching to other alternatives? Doesn't Telegram/Textsecure etc. offer the same, while being completely free? But I guess Facebook acquiring them explains it: I don't use Facebook either, so now I'm even less inclined to use WhatsApp.

Grue3 13y ago

How is Whatsapp even remotely the same thing as Facebook? Were SMS ever considered to be a rival to Facebook?

jackgavigan 13y ago
It's not but it could be. All Whatsapp would have to do is expand the functionality of their app to include more social networking features.
- ulfw 13y ago
  Yea and all Ford has to do is put rotisserie grills on their F150s and they could beat McDonalds. Odd argument.