AppleInsider Staff
In a statement issued late Monday, popular messaging app WhatsApp denied claims that Google was in advanced talks to purchase the firm, the second time such a rumor has been debunked in recent memory.
WhatsApp's Neeraj Arora, the company's head of business development, told AllThingsD that sales talks are not being held with Google.
It was reported on Sunday that the data-based messaging giant was well into negotiations with Google, which was supposedly considering a buyout worth $1 billion. Digital Trends published the report citing an anonymous source.
The deemed false report played into other rumors that have Google working on its own cross-platform messaging initiative dubbed "Babble." That project will supposedly bring continuity across the search giant's various services on both Android and Apple's iOS mobile operating systems.
WhatsApp has become one of the most popular third party messaging apps in the world, boasting tens of millions of users on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone.
During an interview in March, CEO Jan Koum revealed the pay structure of the iOS version of WhatsApp will change from a one-time fee of $0.99, to a yearly subscription model. Currently, iOS device owners can purchase the app and use it indefinitely, while users on all other mobile platforms must pay a recurring fee of $1 per year. While future iOS pricing is unknown, Koum said the subscription model would only be applicable to new users once the change is in place, with existing users being grandfathered in.
Charles Martin
Wesley Hilliard
Marko Zivkovic
Malcolm Owen
Andrew Orr
Christine McKee
13 Comments
Phew, that was annoying me. I can't stand the app, but loads of my friends use it. I would have hated it getting into the hands of google.
LOL subscription… right! I paid for my Whatsapp because I have an iPhone, but users of other platforms paid nothing simply because Whatsapp does not enforce the subscription. Is it not great to know that iOS users pay for themselves, and all the users of other platform, too? And when they supposedly will begin to require subscription from users, those who already got a free right will continue to get a free ride because they will be grandfathered in. Just peachy.
LOL subscription… right! I paid for my Whatsapp because I have an iPhone, but users of other platforms paid nothing simply because Whatsapp does not enforce the subscription. Is it not great to know that iOS users pay for themselves, and all the users of other platform, too?
And when they supposedly will begin to require subscription from users, those who already got a free right will continue to get a free ride because they will be grandfathered in. Just peachy.
Oh no they charge 99 cents per year now. How much do you spend on starbucks a year yet a messaging service is not worth it.
LOL subscription… right! I paid for my Whatsapp because I have an iPhone, but users of other platforms paid nothing simply because Whatsapp does not enforce the subscription. Is it not great to know that iOS users pay for themselves, and all the users of other platform, too?
And when they supposedly will begin to require subscription from users, those who already got a free right will continue to get a free ride because they will be grandfathered in. Just peachy.
/s (?)
A buck a year, dude?
Seriously?
If you want to have a laugh, read the comments over at Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp&hl=en