Re:Germany's data chief tells ministries WhatsApp is a no-go
by p49k on Monday May 18, 2020 @06:39AM
(#23220702)
You’re missing the fact that WhatsApp was actually available for essentially all phones (even in 3rd world markets) and that nothing else is needed. AIM and MSN required an email address which means you need one, as well as an email client on your phone, not something that all people want or have. The signup process wasn’t even always available within the device, you might need access to a desktop to complete signup. They both require you to remember and accurately share an extra piece of info you have to memorize (email or username). They were both extremely slow, clunky and unreliable compared to WhatsApp.
Essentially, 95% of the reasons WhatsApp was successful were things you glossed over here.
Re:Germany's data chief tells ministries WhatsApp is a no-go
by nicoburns on Monday May 18, 2020 @07:44AM
(#23221129)
> You’re missing the fact that WhatsApp was actually available for essentially all phones
And it still is. Even cheap feature phones often have WhatsApp support.
Re:Germany's data chief tells ministries WhatsApp is a no-go
by read_if_gay_ on Monday May 18, 2020 @06:28AM
(#23220618)
I haven’t used the services you mentioned but maybe WhatsApp was easier to sign up for since you just needed a phone number?
The only thing SMS offered was that the other person didn't need to be running anything. WhatsApp didn't offer that, and also didn't improve on the other messengers of the day.