WhatsApp – The winner of IMs

Preamble

Apparently, the globe has recently spent 10 interactively successful years on experiencing Whatsapp messaging, this excites me to talk more about it. Albeit instant messaging was prevailed in 1990s over internet yet it came into more power later as individuals begin using it on cellphones. This is the era of instant messaging was in its nascent stages over cellphone communication, couple of employment slackers Brian Acton and Jan Koum from Yahoo (one of the largest technologies driven organization then) coming up with an idea of messaging app. Whatsapp was the name they believed will precisely portray their idea. The word Whatsapp is gleaned from the word WHATS UP, a commonly used word amid individuals to ask each other how things going in their lives.

Evolution

There were times when instant messaging over the web was facing saturation as individuals’ interest had shifted over social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Consequently, IMs like Window Live Messenger merged into Skype and AIM has completely closed down its platform in 2017. The idea of messaging app was incorporated on 24th Feb 2009 under Whatsapp Inc. in California, since then it has been supplying updates with demands of individuals. Whatsapp has come across a long journey probably the most successful amid contemporaries. Let’s have a look at the decade long evolution-

2009 – WhatsApp launched with compatibility to both Android and iPhones cellphones on February 24, 2009. The initial features enabled was photo and video sharing along with text messaging.

2010 – After couple of years of its presence in Jun 2010 they have upgraded themselves with a brand-new feature of sharing location over app. Which was indeed an amazing and helpful ad in person to person communication.

2011 – As soon as WhatsApp was facing competition with apps like Wechat and Link globally, they have introduced the feature of group chat which made individual to stick upon the app itself. It is the same month they achieve the feat of crossing benchmark of 1 billion message a day.

2013 – These were days when cellphone users wanted something more than just messaging. Bang on to users need WhatsApp had revealed voice message feature in Aug month of the year which is still prevalent for sharing emotions via voice notes.

2014 – This was the year which changed the fate completely for WhatsApp as they had achieved the feat of 500 million users in April month, Social media giant Facebook acquired them sensing their potential in Oct month of the same year. Immediately after acquisition new Facebook owned WhatsApp has introduced read receipt the blue tick feature Nov, 2014. This feature allowed individuals to check whether the receiver has read the message or not.

2015 – WhatsApp became so pervasive that individuals want seamless linkup between cellphones and personal computers. Sensing the need, WhatsApp came up with WhatsApp web version which works exactly the same on any web browser as mobile app version in January, 2015.

2016 – By the time WhatsApp has grown a lot in its space and achieving the feat of 1 billion users every month in the month of Feb. Later in the month of April they have introduced end to end encryption to provide a secure messaging environment to users. Just a month later to make a hassle free experience for their desktop users they launched full featured WhatsApp desktop app. They have also extended their approach to the market of video apps like IMO and Skype by revealing its impeccable video calling feature later in November month.

2017 – Enjoying its market leader position WhatsApp didn’t take much time to reach 1 billion daily users in July month of this very year. Which was also leveraged by its Status feature introduced earlier in February month. This entertaining feature empowered users to put their thoughts via text, images and video in different windows.

2018 – The bigger it becomes the better it was, WhatsApp has witnessed 1.5 billion users per month WhatsApp business was unveiled in January month. Later in the month of July and October it enhanced the user experience with group calling and sticker features respectively.

2019 – Mulling about confidentiality of messages on 25th Feb 2019 WhatsApp has introduced touch ID and face ID features to help and prevent someone from reading your messages without your consent. Although this feature is only available on iPhone 5s or later version but not available for android users yet.

The conclusion

All things considered, what else now? Still there is anticipation of a lot of upgrades and features from this most lovable messaging app but how long will it survive in the meteoric market? The simplest answer is till the time people like or unless someone comes with innovating idea which can beat the popularity of WhatsApp.

On the other hand, data confidentiality is another question that will raise eyebrows? Despite having end to end encryption there is an area of ambiguity in an individual's mindset where people worry about data security. Recently, Facebook and Google encountered a lot of backlash about this mighty concern.

Apparently, this would be a ceaseless discussion and perhaps when ruminating on it I don’t figure out any technology company can firmly guarantee data security as at some point there is a server behind which stores all the data and can be accessible as well.

Written by: Ravi Sharma on 2 Mar 2019