WhatsApp delays launch of voice calling service to Q1 of 2015 - GSM-Forum

I_PHONE · 10-29-2014, 16:53

WhatsApp delays launch of voice calling service to Q1 of 2015

HALF MOON BAY, Calif.--WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum said the over-the-top messaging app intends to launch voice calling services in the first quarter of 2015. The company, which Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) recently finished acquiring, had initially planned to launch calling in the second quarter of 2014.

Koum

Koum, speaking here at Re/code's Code/Mobile conference, said launching calling services is difficult to do well. He noted that WhatsApp is working through several technical issues related to the launch, including the fact that the app does not have access to certain phone microphones, which makes noise cancellation more difficult. He also said that the firm is trying to work through how the service would operate in situations where data coverage is poor, noting that many WhatsApp users in emerging markets are still using 2G EDGE coverage.

Facebook completed its acquisition of WhatsApp earlier this month. The service currently has more than 600 million monthly active users. Koum said the company has historically been focused on growth and still aspires to run on every smartphone in the world. Most new users are coming from markets like Brazil and India, he said, but he acknowledged that there are still markets where WhatsApp isn't dominant.

However, Koum said WhatsApp still wants to cross 1 billion active users within the next several years. With Facebook's financial support and infrastructure, he said, the company is now able to focus squarely on growth.

10-29-2014, 16:53	#1 (permalink)
I_PHONE No Life Poster Join Date: May 2011 Location: *DUBAI* Age: 38 Posts: 841 Member: 1579234 Status: Offline Sonork: Not user Thanks Meter: 342	WhatsApp delays launch of voice calling service to Q1 of 2015 WhatsApp delays launch of voice calling service to Q1 of 2015 HALF MOON BAY, Calif.--WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum said the over-the-top messaging app intends to launch voice calling services in the first quarter of 2015. The company, which Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) recently finished acquiring, had initially planned to launch calling in the second quarter of 2014. Koum Koum, speaking here at Re/code's Code/Mobile conference, said launching calling services is difficult to do well. He noted that WhatsApp is working through several technical issues related to the launch, including the fact that the app does not have access to certain phone microphones, which makes noise cancellation more difficult. He also said that the firm is trying to work through how the service would operate in situations where data coverage is poor, noting that many WhatsApp users in emerging markets are still using 2G EDGE coverage. Facebook completed its acquisition of WhatsApp earlier this month. The service currently has more than 600 million monthly active users. Koum said the company has historically been focused on growth and still aspires to run on every smartphone in the world. Most new users are coming from markets like Brazil and India, he said, but he acknowledged that there are still markets where WhatsApp isn't dominant. However, Koum said WhatsApp still wants to cross 1 billion active users within the next several years. With Facebook's financial support and infrastructure, he said, the company is now able to focus squarely on growth.