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With Facebook acquiring WhatsApp for $19 Billion, reports such has “why Facebook bought WhatsApp?” or “Facebook rejected WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum a job in 2009” have started to flood the Internet. Now, Koum joins the Facebook board of directors. Through this acquisition, Facebook leverages WhatsApp's market value and also removes a potent competitor from its way ahead. But then, does this deal really matter to end-users? What will they gain from this mega “social” deal?
According to a press statement from Facebook, “ the acquisition supports Facebook and WhatsApp's shared mission to bring more connectivity and utility to the world by delivering core internet services efficiently and affordably.” Great!
A closer look into the two platforms, shows there is great potential to bring in synergies. The combined entity could lend the end users “more connectivity and utility.” CIO&Leader spoke to some of the top CIOs and CTOs to find out the potential gains for end users. Enterprise technology leaders believe the advantages could be:
1) Use WhatsApp from PCs (via Facebook):
WhatsApp is totally a mobile OS based application, available on Google's Android, BlackBerry OS, Apple iOS, selected Nokia Series 40, Symbian, selected Nokia Asha platform, Microsoft Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10. With Facebook acquiring WhatsApp, we might expect to use WhatsApp from our PCs. Just like we use Facebook chat from our browser, we might expect an option to either WhatsApp the person or use Facebook messenger. People might debate the purpose of using WhatsApp from your Facebook account, but then there's no harm in having an option to WhatsApp people from PCs.
2) Share Facebook photo albums on WhatsApp:
Like WeChat, Facebook might tweak the native WhatsApp application to allow users to share their photo albums on WhatsApp. Or, users might get the option to create photo albums on their WhatsApp account as well.
3) Shared Contacts:
There are many people on our Facebook friend list whose mobile numbers we may not have. Also, as expecting replies on Facebook chat from somebody whom you have never seen might be difficult, the option to WhatsApp people on your Facebook friend list might sound great. As of now, its impossible to WhatsApp people whose mobile number you do not have. Facebook might change that.
4) Auto status update:
Users might want to have a single status at a point of time and changing the “status” frequenty across every social media site may seem a bit too much to ask. Facebook might introduce a feature to auto update status on both Facebook and WhatsApp on its own.
5) Expect relevant ads/ info on WhatsApp:
Facebook just spent $19 billion in buying WhatsApp. It may want to make money by displaying ads on WhatsApp. However, Facebook has announced that it is not trying to sell ads on WhatsApp. But in future, Facebook might change its mind. If it does, end-users could expect relevant ads popping up or they could benefit from exclusive content based on subscriptions.
What do you want Facebook to do to better your WhatsApp experience? Share your views in the comment section below...
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