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Connect instantly Instant message one-to-one or with a group, hop on a video call, or share your screen for fast-paced decision making. Customize your messages with rich text editing, tag people to call their attention, and use your favorite apps in chats. Social Messaging keenly expresses a platform that offers us two opportunities, which are: Social Media + Instant Messaging. In all, be it WhatsApp Messenger, IMO, Skype, WeChat, Facebook Messenger.
According to the figures released by Facebook, WhatsApp witnessed a 50 percent increase in audio and video calling on NYE 2020 as compared to the same day last year. Over 1.4 billion voice and video calls were made globally, the most ever calls in a single day on the instant messaging platform. Whatsapp, Messenger, and Telegram are by far the most used instant messaging clients in the world and while they are used by millions, Whatsapp and Messenger, both of which are owned by Facebook, do not have an official desktop client for the Linux desktop platform.
Messages on phones have come a long way since it's launch. It started as SMS, followed by MMS and now we have instant messaging service. Even if you don't use any instant messenger, your SIM card is always linked to SMS. You will get them automatically over a cellular network.
Different smartphones use different apps to send and receive SMS. The most popular being the Android Messages from Google. You can also install any other SMS client from the Play Store.
While there are many instant messengers out there, WhatsApp is the most popular one.
It's not necessary that the other person should also use Android Messages to receive the SMS sent to them. They could be using any SMS app. However, to receive WhatsApp messages, both the parties should have the WhatsApp app. Similarly, there are many other small and big differences in these two apps.
We will compare both these messaging services in depth in this article and help you decide which one to choose if you've been trying to make up your mind about these two services. Read on.
Availability
In the age of smartphones and multiple messaging apps, one wants all the services to be available across platforms. However, that's not the case with either of them.
Android Messages is limited to Android phones. You cannot view and send messages from any other device unless you download the third-party messaging apps such as Pulse, Textra, or use services like MightyText or Pushbullet.
However, news has been floating around that Android Messages might soon get a web platform. *fingers crossed*
Update: It's here. It's here. Google has officially rolled out a web platform for Android Messages.Coming to WhatsApp, although it is available for iPhone, Windows phone, and Android, you cannot use the same account on all of them simultaneously. Meaning, your messages will not be synced to other devices.
Thankfully, there is a Windows PC and a Mac app. You can use your existing WhatsApp account to chat from these apps. And if you don't want to install an app, the WhatsApp web version is also available.
Dependence on Data
Android Messages doesn't require the Internet to work. Even if you don't have the Internet on your device, you can still send messages through Android Messages over your cellular network. However, WhatsApp is fully dependent on an active data connection. You cannot send WhatsApp messages without a proper working Internet connection.
This might not be a big issue in advanced countries, but the developing world still doesn't have the best 3G or 4G everywhere. Picsart gold monthly.
Price
Android Messages comes pre-installed on most Android devices except Xiaomi and Samsung. You can, however, install it from the Play Store on these devices too. It is available for free. Similarly, WhatsApp is also available for free. You will have to download the app from the Play Store.
It's worth mentioning that you will be charged for every text sent from the Android Messages app. The cost varies from carrier to carrier. On the other hand, while you won't be charged for every single WhatsApp message, you will have to pay for the data usage. Macintosh keyboard and mouse.
Also on Guiding Tech Top 17 New WhatsApp Tips & Tricks on Android Read MoreRegistration and Username
To use Android Messages, you don't need to register or create an account. If Android Messages comes preinstalled on your device, you will automatically receive text messages for the SIM in use through this app. If you install it from the Play Store, you will have to set it as default SMS app to send and receive SMS via this app.
On the other hand, you have to create a WhatsApp account using your phone number. Basically, your WhatsApp account is linked to your phone number. None of the apps have a username system, so anyone with your number can message you on either app.
Privacy
Since both the apps use your phone number to identify you, anyone can text you. Unlike the apps that have a username system, where the other person needs your unique username to initiate a conversation, this is not the case here.
Although, on one hand, this system is easy as you don't need to know the username but then, we don't want everyone who has our number to text us .. right?
Multiple Accounts
WhatsApp doesn't support multiple accounts. You can only use one number at a time to send messages.
On the other hand, if you have a dual SIM phone, you can use two numbers to send and receive texts on the same phone. However, it's a given that both the SIM cards should be present in the same device.
Delivery Report
By default, delivery reports are turned off in Android Messages. However, if you want you can turn them on in the Settings. Once enabled, you will see a small Delivered label below the messages that have been delivered successfully.
Whatsapp Instant Messaging Apps
WhatsApp also supports delivery reports. When the message is delivered, you will see grey double ticks next to the messages. Once the message has been read, grey ticks will turn blue (if enabled). Thankfully, the read feature is currently not available in Android Messages.
Note: WhatsApp also shows when the other person is online. This feature not available in Android Messages. Also on Guiding Tech #whatsapp Click here to see our whatsapp articles pageSupported Message Types
While Android Messages supports emojis, images, stickers, and voice notes, in SMS you can only send simple texts and emojis. In case, you want to share an image or other stuff, these will be considered as MMS (Multimedia messaging service) and will be charged more.
WhatsApp supports a wide variety of messages. You can send simple text messages, emojis, GIFs, voice notes, images, videos, music, and even ZIP files. Basically, you can send any type of file through WhatsApp. Although there are no extra charges, the amount of data sent will be considered in your data usage.
Group Messaging
Both the apps support group messaging. However, there is a difference in how they work. While you can send messages to multiple people from the same thread in Android Messages, the replies will appear as individual conversations.
WhatsApp comes with a powerful group feature. All the sent and received messages will be grouped in one separate thread. The recipients will be able to see all the sent and received messages, which is not the case with Android Messages.
Ads
Since both the apps are available for free, one might think they must be loaded with ads. However, that's not the case with either of them. Of course, you do get spam messages from brands on Android Messages but that's not from the app itself.
Facebook bought WhatsApp in 2014 and since then everyone has been (sort of) waiting for ads to come to WhatsApp. Although Facebook at the time of acquisition said that WhatsApp won't show ads, we all know it's just a matter of time before you see one. And that time might have come.
Also on Guiding Tech Top 10 WhatsApp Group Tips and Tricks That All Users Should Know Read MoreWhat's Better?
Both the apps serve a different purpose. While Android Messages is based on SMS and uses the cellular network, WhatsApp is an instant messenger that can be accessed from mobile data and Wi-Fi both.
Unlike Facebook Messenger, that supports SMS in addition to its own messages, WhatsApp doesn't provide this feature. So if you are a regular SMS user, you will need Android Messages. But if you are more into instant messaging, WhatsApp is your buddy.
But at the end of the day, it depends on which service your friends use the most. That's what decides your communication method of choice, doesn't it?
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next6 Useful WhatsApp Forward Tricks You Must KnowAlso See#whatsapp #comparison
Did You Know
In December 2009, the Apple version of WhatsApp was updated to include photo sharing features.
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Facebook-owned apps -Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp- saw record surges in usage on New Year's Eve 2020 as compared to the previous year, the social media giant said.
'In 2020, people turned to technology to stay in touch and get things done in the face of social distancing and stay-at-home mandates, and video calling became arguably the most in-demand feature. At Facebook, we saw surges in video chatting all year across Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, and last night was no exception. New Year's Eve is a historically busy night for our services, but this year set new records,' Facebook wrote in a blog post.
According to the figures released by Facebook, WhatsApp witnessed a 50 percent increase in audio and video calling on NYE 2020 as compared to the same day last year. Over 1.4 billion voice and video calls were made globally, the most ever calls in a single day on the instant messaging platform.
NYE 2020 was the biggest day ever for Messenger group video calls (calls with three or more participants) in the US, with nearly 2X more group video calls on the day as compared to the average day. On Messenger, the top AR effect in the US was '2020 Fireworks.&
Further, more than 55 million live broadcasts took place across Facebook and Instagram globally on New Year's Eve 2020.
Whatsapp Instant Messaging App
Commenting on how the Facebook-owned services managed to maintain stability amidst spikes in usage, Caitlin Banford, technical program manager at Facebook, said, 'Behind the scenes, Facebook Engineering came together to drive unprecedented efficiency improvements and make our infrastructure more resilient. This work includes load testing, disaster recovery testing and shuffling capacity. This year, New Year's Eve looked a lot different, and we had engineering teams across Facebook's apps, ready to support any issue, so the world could ring in 2021.'
