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48 billion fewer text messages as savvy Brits use WhatsApp and other free services


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Old 29-03-2016, 16:54
Tiger Rag
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Call me an old git but I've never used WhatsApp or know anyone who does.

The only messengering service I do use occasionally is Facebook Messenger which can be handy for arranging group events but texting is still the universal method which works for everyone.
I've never used WhatsApp either. Sometimes use Facebook Messenger; but mostly prefer texts and the odd call or email.
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Old 29-03-2016, 17:13
Randomguy1
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I didn't think I knew anybody else who used it too, until I installed it, and discovered
300 out of my 450 contacts were already using it
450! You'd be lucky if I have 40 contacts lol
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Old 29-03-2016, 17:46
howard h
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Call me an old git but I've never used WhatsApp or know anyone who does.

The only messengering service I do use occasionally is Facebook Messenger which can be handy for arranging group events but texting is still the universal method which works for everyone.
I AM an old git and these apps are way beyond me....not that I've many people to message anyway! Most are done via text, or facebook if they are on that. I do use Skype though - praise where praise is due ?!! I learned a very important lesson when I got my first PAYG web phone though. Put £10 or £20 in and it had gone within hours, if not minutes and I hadn't made a call. That's due to some roaming/data roaming or something which I quickly found how to turn off.

Happily engaged to another PAYG phone and use the web via free wifi wherever I can - so use skype on that to call/text. Not free, but not 10p/text either!!
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Old 29-03-2016, 17:46
33rd Governor
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I tried Whats app for a few hours, then deleted it.

It shows your photo to your contacts, and I did not know what else it was doing. I will stick with the simple text thanks.

Or iMessage which is encrypted.
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Old 29-03-2016, 18:23
packages
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I tried Whats app for a few hours, then deleted it.

It shows your photo to your contacts, and I did not know what else it was doing. I will stick with the simple text thanks.

Or iMessage which is encrypted.
WhatsApp is encrypted FYI
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Old 29-03-2016, 18:37
33rd Governor
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WhatsApp is encrypted FYI
I know, but it was of no use to me.
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Old 29-03-2016, 18:47
Mark C
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I tried Whats app for a few hours, then deleted it.

It shows your photo to your contacts, .
Well, where did it get your photo from ?
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Old 29-03-2016, 19:01
daveh75
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Or iMessage which is encrypted.
Encrypted it may be, but its held together with chewing gum

http://blog.cryptographyengineering....-imessage.html
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Old 29-03-2016, 19:04
Mark Smith
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I tried Whats app for a few hours, then deleted it.

It shows your photo to your contacts, and I did not know what else it was doing. I will stick with the simple text thanks.

Or iMessage which is encrypted.
WhatsApp will only show photo if you have it in your settings. I don't, but I only really use WhatsApp for sending pictures. For texting I use SMS or iMessage.
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Old 29-03-2016, 21:19
LostFool
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I didn't think I knew anybody else who used it too, until I installed it, and discovered
300 out of my 450 contacts were already using it
Well, I've just installed it out of curiosity and found that the majority of my contacts also use it. Funny, as I've never heard anyone mention it.

Still don't see why I would use it rather than a text message though. I have unlimited SMS on my contract (even though I probably send fewer than 10 a week) and never send picture messages.
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Old 29-03-2016, 21:57
PrinceGaz
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I've got WhatsApp, Telegram, and Skype installed, all of which can do IM type stuff, but I'll stick with a standard SMS most of the time as I know it is universal and the 2p they cost on Three's 321 tariff is negligible.

As for Facebook Messenger, no. Just no. I'm not installing that. Their standard app is already ridiculously bloated as it is and doesn't do what most people want it to do (sort posts in chronological order). I'm not installing another app from them for yet another IM service.

iMessage is a bit useless as it was Apple only the last time I checked, and I've got enough IM apps already. I'm sure Apple users will have something like Telegram or WhatsApp installed as well.
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Old 29-03-2016, 22:38
packages
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I think there is probably a generation divide between people using WhatsApp and those using normal SMS messaging. (with the younger generation using WA)

I use WhatsApp most of the time to speak to my mates as it's great for group chats (which iMessage is awful for) and really only use SMS/iMessage for family.
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Old 29-03-2016, 22:45
Blondie X
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Call me an old git but I've never used WhatsApp or know anyone who does.

The only messengering service I do use occasionally is Facebook Messenger which can be handy for arranging group events but texting is still the universal method which works for everyone.
I'd never used it either and then we had a system crash at work and I wasn't aware because all weekend updates were sent out via WA as if was presumed everyone uses it.
I was told by my director that I had to get on it so they could contact me in future so I got the app. 2 years down the line, I've never used it and been sent one message so it's just using up space on my phone doing nothing
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Old 30-03-2016, 13:00
Dan 8t1
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iMessage is a bit useless as it was Apple only the last time I checked, and I've got enough IM apps already.
Yes it is Apple only, but it's built into the standard SMS app on iOS devices, so it's not like you need an additional app installed or even need to think about it - if the person you are messaging is on an iOS device, the message will automatically go via iMessage rather than SMS. Plus you can see if the other user is typing, and whether your message has been delivered (at no cost).
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Old 30-03-2016, 13:15
Mark C
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Yes it is Apple only, but it's built into the standard SMS app on iOS devices, so it's not like you need an additional app installed or even need to think about it - if the person you are messaging is on an iOS device, the message will automatically go via iMessage rather than SMS. Plus you can see if the other user is typing, and whether your message has been delivered (at no cost).
Yes, exactly the same as basic WA functionality, except WA gives you that (and more cross platform (ios/Android/Windows))
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Old 30-03-2016, 13:31
Dan 8t1
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Yes, exactly the same as basic WA functionality, except WA gives you that (and more cross platform (ios/Android/Windows))
I know, I have WhatsApp installed and use it a lot more than iMessage. I was just making the point to PrinceGaz that iMessage is not useless as it provides additional features above standard SMS and is used automatically where available.
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:02
lovedoctor1978
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Wait, what? 3 charge for delivery reports? You could have fooled me! Im on Payg and only ever put the £10 or £15 a month i need for the bundle. I never have any spare credit and have had delivery reports for years!
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Old 05-04-2016, 08:44
SkipTracer
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Wait, what? 3 charge for delivery reports? You could have fooled me! Im on Payg and only ever put the £10 or £15 a month i need for the bundle. I never have any spare credit and have had delivery reports for years!
I don’t use bundles but thought Three’s bundles include unlimited texts and there for the report text would come out of the bundle even if they do or do not charge for the reports.
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Old 05-04-2016, 10:23
Mark C
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I don’t use bundles but thought Three’s bundles include unlimited texts and there for the report text would come out of the bundle even if they do or do not charge for the reports.
Not in my experience, delivery reports are 'out of bundle' charges
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Old 05-04-2016, 11:51
cooler
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Are there any phone apps that let you send text messages for free to a phone?

I've heard of such apps, but im wondering if the person who recieves the text message has to also have the app on their phone or can they just recieve the message as a regular text message.
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