Options
WhatsApp, Hangouts, Kakaotalk, Line, and the like.
Esot-eric
Posts: 1,293
Forum Member
✭✭✭
WhatsApp seems to be pretty popular among the 20s and older crowd, whereas the younger generation seem to either use Kik or BBM.
Just wondering what everyone here is using and why (other than all your contacts also using it) you chose that service over another?
I'm not using anything at the moment as my tariff has no data allowance, but i'm probably going to get a new contact and am currently leaning towards Hangouts because it's included by default on my Nexus 4 and is rumoured to eventually get SMS integration (ala iMessage).
Just wondering what everyone here is using and why (other than all your contacts also using it) you chose that service over another?
I'm not using anything at the moment as my tariff has no data allowance, but i'm probably going to get a new contact and am currently leaning towards Hangouts because it's included by default on my Nexus 4 and is rumoured to eventually get SMS integration (ala iMessage).
0
Comments
never heard of Kakaotalk or Line though.
hangouts is only useful if all your contacts also have a google account and use hangouts.
Several reasons:
1) The majority of my friends are on this service compared to others.
2) Much easier to send Images/Videos.
3) Ability to have group conversations
4) Free to contact family members abroad.
Wish they would get rid of date stamping though, causes too much grief.
I've used WhatsApp before and, while it seemed decent, a major downside for me was that there was no desktop client and it's tied to your mobile number (which is also a plus-side when it comes to contact discovery). I'm sat in front of a computer all day, so would like to be able to message/call from there rather than the phone.
The desktop aspect is one of the things that draws me towards Hangouts, along with the fact it's included by default on all Android phones, but i understand some people are wary of the creeping Googlisation of things.
Also tried out Viber before and found it a nice, simple client which included voice call features that WhatsApp didn't have (not sure if it does now). Viber also has Mac and Windows desktop clients, which is a plus.
LINE is mostly used in the far-east and, like Viber, has both mobile and desktop clients. It seems to have a lot more features than Viber though, and a lot of side apps (such as games and camera apps). I've been trying it out and quite like it.
I've also been trying out Kik. It's a nice, clean app and uses a username rather than linking to your phone number. I actually prefer this approach since you don't need to give out your phone number to chat to people. Kik also has a lot of nice features. Stickers and emoji are pretty standard in these sort of apps, but Kik also has sketching features and a built-in meme generator (which made me laugh). I can see why the kids like this one and, so far, it's also my favourite. No desktop client though
Not tried out BBM since i don't have access to the beta, but i've read a few first impressions of it and it seems to be a bit of a mess at the moment.
Anyway, i'll probably be forced to use WhatsApp because my contacts also use it, but it's a shame because Kik is much better.
I was asked to install facebook messenger last week, which I have done as it is a easier way to send messages, then I was asked to install WhatsApp by another person, i have refused to do that and another one sent me a invite for hangouts, linked to Google+, refused that as well.
Facebook messenger is enough, 99% of the people I contact is on faceboook, the others I can send a text to.
That or it'll be taken over by Microsoft :eek:
Its the 'last seen' bit that causes grief which is pointless really (the grief it causes I mean)
Have you read my message?
No
Well it says you were online you must have seen it.
Etc.