[BrianWescombe]

OK, this new app seems to be VERY popular, suddenly getting loads of people on Facebook putting their Kik IDs on. Many people are convinced it's a virus/hack but that's unlikely as it's available on Apple, Android and Windows phone devices.

The app is free and carries no adverts, so the question has to be: how is the company making money and operating the service at no cost to users? The only costs are those of 3G network data useage from the customers, which Kik won't get any of!

There HAS to be a catch somewhere!

[MGS4SnakeRulez]

I think a lot people have misunderstood what viral means and assume it means virus cos they sound similar but it doesn't mean that.

Why does there have to be a catch? Touch (formely pingchat) and Live Profile are both free and don't have any adverts either.

[wilt]

Ugh, another one. I am refusing to join this one.

[peteb23]

Most people seem to be signing up just so that they can grab a decent username in case it takes off. I don't actually see anyone using it yet.

The facebook thing is just because it asks you if you want to share your details straight after you sign up.

[Adcm]

I have 3 contacts on it. I'm so popular. It'll last just as long as Ping did.

[TheBigM]

It's not well known here but apparently, it's reasonably popular in the US.

I don't know how the whatsapp experience is on iOS/Android but it's very frustrating on Windows Phone.

It would be great if Skype became the de facto chat network - it's the only one I'm aware of that's available on every platform. - Possibly facebook chat is as well but that's a bit different.

[nessyfencer]

It's fine on the Android. The quality of people using it may be the real problem

[cavemanjames]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

It's not well known here but apparently, it's reasonably popular in the US.

I don't know how the whatsapp experience is on iOS/Android but it's very frustrating on Windows Phone.

It would be great if Skype became the de facto chat network - it's the only one I'm aware of that's available on every platform. - Possibly facebook chat is as well but that's a bit different.

Whatsapp on Android is pretty nice actually. It's better than the Windows Phone version. The people at Kik messenger seemed obsessed with bringing their own style over to Windows Phone, which is a bit of a shame really because Kik Messenger, imo, is probably better than Whatsapp. It looks so out of place on Windows Phone.

I believe Whatsapp, as well as Kik Messenger now, are both available on every mobile platform.

[MGS4SnakeRulez]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

It's not well known here but apparently, it's reasonably popular in the US.

I don't know how the whatsapp experience is on iOS/Android but it's very frustrating on Windows Phone.

It would be great if Skype became the de facto chat network - it's the only one I'm aware of that's available on every platform. - Possibly facebook chat is as well but that's a bit different.

Whatsapp is fine on Android. Had no problems.

[The Alpha Gamer]

Originally Posted by BrianWescombe

OK, this new app

It came out in 2010, I wouldn't call that new....

[artnada]

It's suddenly gone viral though. therefore a lot of people "think" it's new.

I've had 4 people mention it to me today alone, and have seen several people on FB go on as if it's the latest, greatest thing.

[BrianWescombe]

Originally Posted by artnada

It's suddenly gone viral though. therefore a lot of people "think" it's new.

I've had 4 people mention it to me today alone, and have seen several people on FB go on as if it's the latest, greatest thing.

The app itself is not a 'virus' as some people have claimed - it would not get onto the various App stores if it was. I'm just curious as to how it plans to make profit - I just got a sneaking feeling that it'll get millions of installs then something will change regarding payment for use or spamming users at some point.

[artnada]

Originally Posted by BrianWescombe

The app itself is not a 'virus' as some people have claimed - it would not get onto the various App stores if it was. I'm just curious as to how it plans to make profit - I just got a sneaking feeling that it'll get millions of installs then something will change regarding payment for use or spamming users at some point.

I know it's not a virus. I said "it's gone viral."

After a while of getting popular it will have an "update" in the app store for "bug fixes" then when you download and update it will have an ad banner.

That's how they will make their money.

[MGS4SnakeRulez]

Why are you so sure they will add an ad banner? Liveprofile, Touch Messenger (was Pingchat) etc are free, have been for years and don't have ad banners.

[grumpyoldbat]

If the app is free, it's not ad supported and it doesn't have an upgrade to premium option, how are they making money?

Developers don't make apps for the greater good, they make them to make a living. If they're not getting money from you, chances are they're getting it another way - it would be wise to question what that is before installing the app!

[TheBigM]

From what I understand of Whatsapp, it's free for the first year then after that you have to start paying.

[psionic]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

From what I understand of Whatsapp, it's free for the first year then after that you have to start paying.

WhatsApp seems to vary by platform. On the Blackberry they charge a small amount every year I think. On iOS I believe it's a one-off small cost to buy the app and use it indefinitely.

[c00kiemonster72]

I got the Kik messenger yesterday after reading of a few post from friends on Facebook who had started using it. Previously used whatsapp, and have found its the same really.

Will be using Kik though as more of my friends are using it