Social media giants Facebook have purchased smartphone messaging app WhatsApp in a deal worth $19bn.

According to official statistics, WhatsApp has around 450 million monthly users. The makers of the app claim that it registers 1 million new users every day.

For those not in the know, WhatsApp is an Internet-based messaging service that allows people to get around text message charges. It works in much the same way that SMS (or ‘text messaging’) works, but crucially, it is free. For a small fee of $1 a year, it is possible to upgrade the service.

This is by far Facebook’s largest acquisition to date and has been met with some scepticism, but Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t seem daunted by the huge price tag; he described WhatsApp as “incredibly valuable” in a statement announcing the deal.

Prior to this deal, Facebook’s biggest purchase had been photography app Instagram, for which they paid $1bn.

Richard Taylor, North America Technology Correspondent with the BBC, said, “Some are seeing the $19bn price tag as further evidence of swollen valuations of companies as the sector experiences what may yet prove to be another dotcom bubble. WhatsApp does give Mark Zuckerberg inroads into international markets and, as importantly, to a younger demographic. But what is less clear is whether the finances will add up in the long term”.

The acquisition includes $4bn in cash, about $12bn in Facebook shares and about $3bn in stock options for WhatsApp founders and employees (of which there are around 50).

WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum has also become a member of Facebook’s board of directors. "We're excited and honoured to partner with Mark and Facebook as we continue to bring our product to more people around the world," said Mr. Koum. Koum has also stated that he does not intend to allow advertising on the app.

Zuckerberg stated that he believed that WhatsApp was well on its way to having a Billion users.

In an interview with BBC News, senior research analyst with eMarketer Cathy Boyle said, “WhatsApp actually has greater penetration in a lot of international markets than Facebook,” It is possible that by linking the two services, Facebook will be able to increase its customer base. She then went on to say, "WhatsApp is trying to siphon the billions that the telecom industry would make from [traditional SMS text messaging]" if that is Facebook’s intention (and we have to consider it as one of them), then it actually makes good business sense.

SOURCES:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26266689

My Girlfriend and I recently started watching ‘The X-Files’ in the evenings.

It all started when my friend Kieran practically begged me to borrow his series 1 box set. He went on and on about it until I eventually acquiesced. When I was little, I was somewhat impressionable and easily upset by TV, so I only saw a handful of first-run X-Files episodes. I remember one where a guy had to eat people’s brains in order to survive, another that featured Golden Age Hollywood ghosts haunting an old film set and a bizarre black and white episode about a deformed character who was in love with Cher. 

Watching it as an adult, the series is a lot of fun, not to mention massively addictive. It is easy to see how it became such a worldwide phenomenon. What’s really cool is that I’ve always tended to view movieland’s myriad FBI, CIA and secret agent characters as untrustworthy ‘spooks’ and yet The X-Files portrays them as heroes, relatable, Human and sexy. I kinda like that.

This has made me a little more interested in the idea of getting a Kenwood Earpiece. Beforehand, I can’t say I’d ever really though about it, but after blazing through series 1 of the hit 90’s show (and grabbing series 2 from CEX over the weekend), I’m a lot more interested in getting a hold of one and bumbling about in the dark in search of unexplained phenomena.

The reason I specifically suggested a Kenwood Radio Earpiece, is actually pretty simple. The Kenwood Corporation, operating out of Tokyo, Japan, has been making quality amateur radio gear since 1946. If you’re going to get a radio, or any radio-related peripheral (try saying that one three times fast), then Kenwood is the obvious choice to go with.

Kenwood make earpieces to fit both multi-pin and 2-pin setups, so they’ve got pretty much all your bases covered. Plus, their reputation speaks for itself. If you happen to be involved in some ‘sensitive’ work, then a discreet radio earpiece is easier and less intrusive than lifting a chunky two-way up to your mouth and receiving a loud signal for all around you to hear.

Kenwood’s stuff is professional quality, but equally awesome if all you want to do is don a trench coat, grab a big-ass torch and disappear into the darkness in search of the unknown.

Perhaps you’ll get some messages from the spirit world, who knows? What is certain is that you’ll get a few funny looks, earpiece or no earpiece...