WhatsApp now on PC also

Whatsapp , The most used IM app from android now comes to PC. Seriously this has made me real happy because
I dont like to get distracted by looking to mobile again and again just for Whatsapp also now the user base of
whatsapp has grown even bigger.

A  website is what we only need to visit: http://web.whatsapp.com and You will have to scan a qr code from your mobile then
you will be able to access all your chats from there.
It is a simple web integration of the app and your mobile must be connected to the net for the website to work.

Currently this feature is only available to android users.
With this upgrade currently, whatsapp have 700 million user sending 30billion messages per day!!!

This is really a big step in Instant Messaging and it is becoming more and more efficient and interesting.

Airtel will charge you extra for skype, viber, line etc. IM apps

Bharti Airtel customers will now have to pay extra if they are making calls on Skype, Viber or other apps using their mobile data packs as the operator has decided to charge standard data rates for making voice calls over Internet (VoIP).

The VoIP data will be charged separately and would not be part of the existing data packs.

“All internet/data packs or plans (through which customer can avail discounted rate) shall only be valid for internet browsing and will exclude VoIP (both incoming/ outgoing). VoIP over data connectivity would be charged at standard data rates of 4p/10 KB (3G service) and 10p/10 KB (2G service),” Airtel said on its website.

This is the first time in the country that any mobile operator is charging separately for VoIP data.

“We have made some revisions in the composition of our data packs, and will offer VoIP (Voice over internet protocol) connectivity through an independent pack that will be launched shortly. Our customers can continue enjoying voice calls over data connectivity by opting for this VoIP pack, or simply use VoIP services on pay-as-you-go basis,” Airtel said in a statement.

Mobile operators have long been demanding the over the top (OTT) players like WhatsApp, Line, Skype among others should be brought under regulation.

“The telecom operators plans of segregating VoIP calls data and charging exponentially higher rates on them smells of sheer greed in its concepts itself. This will be against basic concepts of net neutrality. The very essence of technology and low cost internet telephony needs to be cherished and protected,” India Infosec Consortium CEO Jiten Jain said.

India Infosec Consortium deals in cyber security and internet governance related issues.

Free Voice calls now supported by whatsapp

WhatsApp certainly brought finest revolution in the Instant Messaging Apps in all platforms of the mobile operating systems including, Apple iOS, Google Android, Microsoft Windows and even the Nokia Symbian indeed.  This app certainly helps the interested chatters to send and receive their messages, videos and photo files in real time manner. These entire moves don’t require any further registration than your existing 10 digit mobile number. You can instantly get in touch with your friends in North Pole by knowing their mobile number from the South Pole without any additional cost except the internet data charges categorically.

Now, they are planning to provide user a great and most welcoming feature nothing but, the option of making “voice call” directly from the app. The proposal as also states that, the voice call implementation is also going for free of cost as you are enjoying the other features of the WhatsApp indeed. From the official and reliable source of AndroidWorld.nl gives you the possibility of implementing the voice calling features in WhatsApp in near future. The given below image show you the future voice calling option implementation in the same.

Furthermore, the image suggests well that, the only device that is running under the Android’s latest operating system, Android L 5.0 Lollipop will support the same in best possible mode. Some of the interesting features that you can expect to enjoy with the future WhatsApp is that, there is an option of recording and playback. This is clearly evident from the above screen shot of the leaked image of the voice calling feature supported WhatsApp. This inscribed well that, there will be a separate screenshot that gives you the access to true caller identity undeniably. Also, the same is expected to be unveiled with the fully-fledged application comprises of contact person image, name, their number and other related recently conversed stuffs indeed.

You might have really known this following factors, such as; WhatsApp is among the top key factor for the downfall of the operator assisted SMS Services for sure. You also aware about the same existing feature by Skype and the only disadvantage possessed with them are offering this service only in their respective platform. Even though, WhatsApp comes forward to provide the same voice calling feature to the users across the globe, only by either offering the service for free or reduced rates of the operator, they could really succeed in connecting millions of users around the world.

Just imagine, what will be the future of the regular operator financial positions or business, if you are possessed with free voice call options through the same 10 digit mobile number using the internet. Even though they might definitely service high by offering higher rate data services, this also could really be the fatal to the end of traditional voice calling features offered directly by the mobile operator worldwide. Whoa! Really can’t imagine the excitement if the same comes true within any stipulated real time. Will this really happen! Let us wait and watch!!

Airtel to charge extra for free instant messaging apps like whatsapp

With the increasing popularity of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber and others,telcos had started making noises against the accelerated adoption of these services. Throughout the year, they’ve have been quite vocal about their dislike for over-the-top (OTT) services, who have been cannibalizing their main revenue streams – calls and SMSes.

Earlier this year, there was buzz around a fee being imposed on popular OTT services, but the matter fizzled out soon after TRAI rejected telcos’ proposal to do so. In a bid to make up for the losing revenue, Airtel has decided to play the evil Santa this Christmas and announced an extra charge on making VoIP calls. This means, you will have to pay an additional sum for any calls you make over the Interne using services like Skype, Viber and so on.

Airtel’s website now states, “All Internet/data packs or plans (through which customer can avail discounted rate) shall only be valid for Internet browsing and will exclude VoIP (both incoming/ outgoing). VoIP over data connectivity would be charged at standard data rates of Rs.0.04/10KB (3G service) and Rs. 0.10/10KB (2G service),” Airtel said on its website.Based on these standard rates, each GB of data for VoIP on 3G network will cost about Rs 4,000 and on 2G network it will cost about Rs 10,000.
Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that the government is looking into the plans  released by Airtel. Meanwhile, the Twitterati has gone all out condeming Airtel for the act.

On the other hand, the whole fuss is about telecom companies finding it hard to increase revenues, considering  SMS usage has dropped and so has calling, to some extent. With increasing number of data plans, most users don’t have to pay extra for SMSes or even calls, thanks to the free services OTT services. Telecom companies have begun to realise that it has come at a high cost.

However, mobile service providers do not offer the same services as the likes of WhatsApp. Earlier this year, OTT players had alleged that telecom companies want regulation when it suits them and previously when VAS was booming, these same telcos urged OTT players to not go to TRAI over regulation in this field. So in a way, the tables have now turned.

In a nutshell, telecom companies have been slow to react to a massive sea change in mobile usage, not being wise enough to see where the market was trending towards. It could be called vision paralysis, but that’s not a consideration for the average user. The whole debate was who would pay for the extra charges and as expected they are passed down to consumers. For users, the big question – will we have to pay to use Viber or Skype. Looks like, the answer could be ‘Yes’, unless the government decides to intervene and find a middle ground.

With Airtel already taking the first step by charging extra for VoIP, we wouldn’t be surprised if others soon follow suit. So, does this mean, it is time to bid goodbye to the free services like Viber, WhatsApp and the likes?

#boycottairtel 

+Airtel India +mobiles.co.uk +Times of India Technology +Newsday +TechCrunch +tech2 

15 POPULAR INSTANT MESSAGING APPLICATIONS

Here are 15 most used IM applications on android, each one is a much try app.

Each one provides unique interface and different features. So if you haven't tried them yet go for it now...

WhatsApp

Whatsapp is undoubtedly one of the most popular instant messaging applications for Android devices. The popularity of Whatsapp has raised many folds in a year and its credit goes to its ability to send unlimited number of chat messages to your friends and its support of automatic synchronization of contact book with the application.

Viber

Viber Chat – another popular instant messaging app available free for Android devices, lets you connect with friends using text messages or calls. Moreover, with Viber Chat you can even make free HD calls using your Android device. This IM app is also available for iPhone, Blackberry and Windows Phone devices too.

Skype

Skype is the most professional instant messenger application that allows you to send free IM messages and make free video calls with your Contacts anywhere in the world. Another advantage of using Skype other than its cost-effectiveness is that it can help communicate faster even with less Internet speed too. Also Skype powers free Skype-to-Skype messages, VoIP-based phone and video calls.

Talk.to

Talk.to is a free, simple instant messaging app for Android devices and its USP is its neat interface and ability to send free SMS to phone numbers around the world. But make a note that the free SMS limit is 200 messages and you get 5 free SMS every week if your SMS credit limit goes below 200 messages. The app also has support for Google Talk, Facebook Chat and Windows Live.

Line

Line is an instant messaging application for Android devices that allows you to send free messages and make calls all over the world. A latest report from the provider reveals that it has a customer base of 94 million LINE users in over 230+ countries across the world. Besides, allowing you to send unlimited number of text messages using its chatting system, it lets you make (free) voice and video calls too.

Nimbuzz

Use Nimbuzz instant messaging app to chat with your friends on Facebook, GTalk, or Yahoo Messenger anytime. It also allows you to make cheap international voice calls, send unlimited chat messages, and share files on any mobile device across popular messengers. This is also a cross-platform service available in Android devices along with iOS, Blackberry & Windows Phone.

WeChat

WeChat instant messenger application, available in 18 different languages comes with powerful chatting features, and allows you to make free HD video calls, voice calls, and text messaging with Ad Free environment. It is available in Free and Pro versions; but you can initiate by downloading the free version in your Android device that lets you do most of the things like voice call, video call and chat to name a few.

Kik Messanger

This new instant messaging application has taken the smartphone world by storm as it has registered a record 450,000 downloads in the first 10 days of launch. The best part about this app is that it is quicker and more social than SMS. Moreover, KIK Messenger is asynchronous, i.e. it allows you to access and see messages immediately – including even when the other person with who you are chatting is typing. Also, it lets you know when they have seen (read) your message actually.

SnapChat

This messaging application for Android devices is a cross-platform application that lets subscribers send photos to other subscribers. However, it creates a niche here with a special feature that allows users to set 1 second to 10 second expiration time for a photo. So if you want to share a rather personal or embarrassing photo with your closest buddy, you can do so without being wary that this will find a place for itself in the social networking sites.

ChatOn

Thismobile chat app from Samsung is not limited to just the Android platform; as Samsung has released versions of ChatOn that work with BlackBerrys, the iPhone and even Windows Phones as well. But the priority is that irrespective of any device, both the user should have ChatOn for exploring the messaging facility.

Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is the instant messaging application from Facebook for Android devices as well as other platforms like the iOS, Blackberry and Windows. It has recently been updated to include a unique new feature called Chat Heads.

Gtalk

There are 3 instant messaging applications from Google – Google Talk, Google+ Messenger, and Google Voice. While Google Talk or GTalk as it is commonly called is the instant messaging app available to Android devices, it shares its base functionality with Google+ Messenger, which is again a discrete chatting app that pegs into Android users’ Google+ accounts. On the other hand, Google Voice, which is intended more to be a calling service even though it functions as a messaging service as well; is entirely separate and is available to both Android and iOS devices.

Tango

Tango offers the best user experience of video chatting with your buddies for free. The best part about Tango is that it automatically finds its users from your contact list and connects it with you.

Kakao Talk

Kakao Talk is a popular instant messaging application for the Android device now used by over 72 Million people worldwide. Besides the basic features, it also supports several advanced and unique features besides free themes, group messaging, free HD calls, and 250+ emoticons amongst others.

ebuddy Messanger

Considered to be one of the most popular messaging applications online, ebuddy Messenger supports various chat services such as MSN, Facebook, GTalk, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, etc. to name a few. You just need to create an ebuddy ID or login with your social network credentials and enjoy the experience.

Which is

Which is  your most preferred instant messaging application from the aforementioned list?