Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

News

Facebook to acquire instant messaging app WhatsApp

Mark

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

Facebook has agreed to acquire cross-platform instant messaging app WhatsApp for around $16 billion (£9.6 billion). The deal to buy the five-year-old company includes $4 billion in cash and around $12 billion in Facebook shares.

Image

Over 450 million people currently use WhatsApp on their mobile devices each month, with the number of registered users growing at more than 1 million people every day.

Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Facebook, said “WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable. I've known Jan [Jan Koum, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO] for a long time and I'm excited to partner with him and his team to make the world more open and connected.”

WhatsApp will remain as a separate app and a separate brand with its headquarters less than 10 miles away from Facebook in California. Its CEO will join Facebook’s Board of Directors.

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (0)
You don't have permission to post comments.

Opinion Articles

ExclusivePredictions for 2015: operators face churn, the SIM loses its grip, and cloud and VoLTE finally arrive

Mark Windle of OpenCloud writes:

In 2014, operators focussed on rolling out LTE, but some have lost sight of the bigger picture. 2015 will see traditional telecoms services delivered over multiple access technologies, of which LTE is just a part. As next year fast approaches, our predictions take a step back and look at how the industry will adapt to the changing landscape.

Why all the fuss about cross-network roaming for UK mobile coverage?

ExclusiveWhy all the fuss about cross-network roaming for UK mobile coverage?

Mark Bridge writes:

A suggestion that UK mobile phone networks might be forced to improve black-spot coverage by allowing interconnection with their rivals is back in the news. It made the headlines in June and has returned again this week, which is why I could be heard offering my opinion on BBC local radio yesterday morning.

Philips Voice Tracer DVT6000 review

ExclusivePhilips Voice Tracer DVT6000 review

Mark Bridge writes:

If I'm interviewing someone for a podcast, I'll generally use my Zoom H4N recorder and a separate microphone or two. But I don't need the same level of high-quality kit if I'm interviewing someone for a written interview. Why carry an expensive recording device when your mobile phone can do the same job?

iPhone 6 journal

ExclusiveiPhone 6 journal

Mark Bridge writes:

I open the iPhone 6 box and discover a phone that feels substantial. Well engineered. Practical. Despite being just 6.9mm deep, it doesn't seem unreasonably delicate.

RSS
135678910Last

Recent Podcasts

ExclusivePodcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

ExclusiveLooking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

ExclusiveA month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

RSS
135678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«June 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
25262728293031
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293012345

Archive