They supposedly can be disabled in settings- but we all know that won’t last. They’re going full Microsoft Skype mode and it’s only a matter of time.

    • Zak@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      Several messaging services that started on PCs already had mobile apps when Whatsapp got big so there must be a bit more to it than that. AIM, Skype, and several others were viable options with existing userbases.

      • Curly722@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        But all those you listed weren’t available internationally I believe. Atleast in the US, ask anyone who came to work how they keep in touch with people back home, and they’ll likely say whatsapp.

        • Zak@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          Skype certainly was. It would make an interesting case study - what drove adoption when there were established competitors with more resources?

          • kattenluik@feddit.nl
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            6 months ago

            Phone numbers, phone apps and the international market. Skype was in a lot of places only popular for business, Whatsapp was everyone’s very first doorway into a modern messenger app.