WhatsApp for iOS switching to subscription model | Bangkok Post: tech

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WhatsApp to charge iOS users

The highly popular instant messaging service WhatsApp will be changing its payment model for iOS users, bringing it into line with payment models for Android and Windows Phone users.

Currently iOS users of WhatsApp pay a flat-fee purchase of $0.99 and then have the app for life; however users of the instant messaging app on Android and Windows Phone download it for free, and use it for free for 12 months, after which users are charged an annual flat-rate of $1, or about 30 baht.

According to a report on Techcrunch, WhatsApp will be altering its payment model for iOS users to correspond with the policy for Android and Windows Phone users. This replacement of a one-off payment for an annual subscription fee for iOS is expected to come into effect later this year, though an exact date or further specifics are not known.

Instant messaging app WhatsApp will be altering its payment model for iOS users to correspond with the policy for Android and Windows Phone users.

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Writer: AFP

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Your comments

  • whatajoke

    ThailandPost : 1,876

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    Discussion 7 : 21 Mar 2013 at 12.507

    Speaking as a developer of apps, i can say most app users dont want to even pay a dollar for somethiing useful, they will just find another pne that does the same but for free. Ive been trying to sell travel guide apps for $2 - less than a cup of coffee, no one even thinks a good guide to Bangkok in their. Phone is worth payong for but will happily drop $4 on a Starbucks

  • Speechless

    ThailandPost : 3

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    Discussion 6 : 20 Mar 2013 at 23.006

    This is perfect.. BP loves making news out of nothing.. I think BP understood only half the article on techcrunch.. whatsapp CEO Jan Koum also said "Don’t worry if you’re already a WhatsApp user; the subscription model will only apply to new users" according to TechCrunch, who obtained a copy of Klopping’s interview in English. And new users are likely to get the first year free, as they do on other platforms.

  • mr.meldrew

    ThailandPost : 486

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    Discussion 5 : 20 Mar 2013 at 21.225

    Viber will charge soon. But their photo sharing and much more is way behind Whatsapp. You cannot expect these companies to not want to charge something. 30 Baht for a year? Not exactly going to break your bank. Is it?

  • mr.meldrew

    ThailandPost : 486

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    Discussion 4 : 20 Mar 2013 at 21.124

    Will be the best 30 Baht I will have spent. Great app, great service and it just gets better.

  • pkik

    ThailandPost : 4

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    Discussion 3 : 20 Mar 2013 at 20.473

    When other services like Viber are free who needs to pay anything? I dumped Whatsapp ages ago.

  • onlyasking

    ThailandPost : 483

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    Discussion 2 : 20 Mar 2013 at 19.052

    If you can't afford the $ 1 then you should have a mobile phone.

  • athenabkk

    ThailandPost : 31

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    Discussion 1 : 20 Mar 2013 at 18.261

    Not exactly charging a fortune at $1 a year, what is the fuss about?

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