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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

WhatsApp promises voice calls are coming to its messaging app

Messaging service WhatsApp, which is due to become part of Facebook, says it’s working to add voice calls to its mobile application. The new service would be seen as a challenger to existing VoIP services such as Skype and Viber as well as a threat to network operator revenue.

This announcement was made by WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum at Mobile World Congress. He’s expecting voice functionality to be added to the company’s iPhone and Android apps in the second quarter of the year, with BlackBerry and Windows Phone due to follow.

This week is the fifth anniversary of WhatsApp’s launch.

James Briscoe, managing director of marketing agency Unique Digital, commented on the announcement by saying “It’s not surprising that WhatsApp is going to add voice calling to its range of functions: one of the many shortcomings of Facebook’s own limited messenger app is its inability to send voice messages outside of US and Canada. While it appeared a simple one at first glance, Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp was always going to be one that saw a shakeup of the services offered by both platforms (regardless of whether they are merged together or not). All roads lead to a future where social networks are true communications backbones, rather than a peripheral bit of fun.”

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Opinion Articles

Last week at The Fonecast: 11th February 2013

WiFi goes on the attack

Mark Bridge writes:

Mobile networks aren’t what they used to be. As last week’s interview with Vince Russell of The Cloud demonstrated, more and more customers are relying on WiFi to augment their mobile data service.

Truphone is now planning to do exactly the same with voice calls and text messages by linking its mobile network with WiFi for even wider coverage.

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Last week at The Fonecast: 4th February 2013

Goodbye RIM, hello BlackBerry

Mark Bridge writes:

Apple launches a new product and BlackBerry pushes it out of the headlines. Who’d have thought it, eh?

Yes, Apple’s new $799 128GB iPad didn’t get much of a mention in the mobile press last week - thanks to the new BlackBerry 10 platform and two new smartphones. Memories of Stephen Bates’s awkward BBC interviews were soon forgotten as the touchscreen Z10 appeared and quickly hit the shelves of UK retailers.

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HTC smartphones are too good

HTC smartphones are too good

Causing HTC a serious headache

James Rosewell writes:

During December 2012 in the United States the HTC Evo 4G contributed 20% of web traffic from HTC devices. What is remarkable about this figure is that the HTC Evo 4G was first released in June 2010 and is almost three years old.

The HTC One series of devices were released during 2012 and contributed less than 10% of HTC’s web traffic in the same month.

Are HTC devices released pre-2012 too good at browsing the web?

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Future smart devices will extend our senses

Faiza Elmasry of voanews.com writes:

Imagine shopping for clothes online and being able to run your hand across the screen on your computer or smartphone to feel the fabrics. That kind of simulation technology could be available within the next five years.

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Discover the secrets of mobile innovation at The Mobile Academy in London

Mark Bridge writes:

Developing a successful mobile product or service isn’t just a question of having a great idea. There are all sorts of challenges, from the technical aspects of application development to the wider issues of branding and funding.

That’s where The Mobile Academy steps in. It’s a London-based mobile masterclass designed to give you a helping hand with innovation, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, a developer or a designer.

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