The plan to beat WhatsApp

Viber’s new CEO aims to take on WhatsApp with a new version of the messaging app, set to launch in March.

Djamel Agaoua said the new version of Viber will function “more like a platform than a single-purpose app”, according to a report by Bloomberg.

New features coming to the app include e-commerce and banking.

“Users will be able to open a chat window with friends, look at restaurants, decide where to go, and make a reservation – all without exiting Viber,” stated the report.
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So... wechat, basically
 
but Viber has stickers.

and that other stupid thing where you can follow famous people or something.

Are you a social network or a messaging app, Viber?...cos' I don't do social networks.
 
Jirre, this could have been BBM's domain if only they didn't release it for other platforms at such a late stage.
 
Ockie said:
Seems like it. I have installed wechat to see what the discounts with snapscan is about, but dont think that is running still. Pitty we dont have wechat out here in SA. Strange considering that Naspers owns a piece of Tencent.
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We have WeChat
 
How do you guys choose between all of these Apps?

I got a new phone recently and am totally confused about which ones to use and which to discard/uninstall (that is IF you can get them to uninstall).

The "familie" use WhatsApp, so I installed it, but now what to do with the manufacturer specific and cell service provider specifics?
 
Geoff.D said:
How do you guys choose between all of these Apps?

I got a new phone recently and am totally confused about which ones to use and which to discard/uninstall (that is IF you can get them to uninstall).

The "familie" use WhatsApp, so I installed it, but now what to do with the manufacturer specific and cell service provider specifics?
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I basically keep apps I actually use.
Don't use it? Toss it.
 
Just like Facebook, WhatsApp has the established userbase. Now, that's not to say that they will remain at the top indefinitely, but you try getting your non tech savvy friends and family (and by extension, their F&F too) to use something else that does the same thing as WhatsApp does, except with an unfamiliar interface and cluttered with features they will most likely never use.

Now if these companies were smart, they would allow cross app interactions to happen. Possibly as a premium feature, to cover any "transit" costs, if applicable.
 
Geoff.D said:
I agree --- and I am trying to toss the "junk" -- proving to be a bit of a challenge, especially Google related -- apps.
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You have to root your phone (or flash the generic ROM for your device).
English translation: Bloatware is very difficult to remove by design.
 
Geoff.D said:
How do you guys choose between all of these Apps?

I got a new phone recently and am totally confused about which ones to use and which to discard/uninstall (that is IF you can get them to uninstall).

The "familie" use WhatsApp, so I installed it, but now what to do with the manufacturer specific and cell service provider specifics?
Click to expand...

Da duck ams dit.jpg
 
Viber has no chance. For messaging Whatsapp is far better. I have Viber installed on the phone and Skype gives better sound quality. Even a good SIP server gives better quality. I also have Viber installed on PC and it is resource hog and unstable, have to restart laptop every few days, otherwise laptop hangs. The same applies to Skype. It hangs silently at times, only discovering when getting message during reboot that Skype was not responding.

Other common problem with above apps on Windows is that they constantly auto update itself and there is no option to disable. It is why I said good bye to Viber.

For voice calling for the numbers in South Africa currently using SIP - DiscountVoIP UK (discountvoip.co.uk) with Zoiper app. Will be testing their branded app which has built-in G.729 codec and also shows a balance and billing figure for the currently selected phone number. Zoiper tends to negotiate G.711 codec (GSM codec is selected, but can't get it working). It costs flat 0.5UKp per minute (R0.084 = 8.4c) to the landline and mobile numbers, while the cheapest cellular tariff is 1c/s from MTN, 8-times more expensive. Quality of the voice is barely acceptable, my premium SIP provider gives very good quality, but is to expensive for calling numbers in SA.

As for messaging Telegram is the best all around. It has achieved carefully crafted balance between convenience on one side and privacy/security on the other. When additional security is needed secret chats can be opened. There is desktop app and Telegram will have voice calling soon.

If you have a family it is not difficult to convince all for using Telegram, highly recommended.
 
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