Difference Between WhatsApp, Line and iMessage
iMessage is a built-in iOS 5 function that allows people to text and send image content through internet and apple ID instead of using cellular texting. Many users do complain that it is not useful at all since it is almost impossible to know everyone’s apple ID in their contact lists. Also, setting up the iMessage is harder than you expect, many users do not even know they have iMessage.
LINE struck the market of mobile messaging app after the launch of iOS, many of us,especially in Hong Kong, posted their LINE code on their facebook and this triggered a big wave of people adding each other. Some even changed their social networking sites profile pictures into their QR code. People found Line extremely interesting because they can even make use of the voice call to call people online. The User Interface of LINE also seem more modern than the one that Whatsapp has. More emoitcons, interactive and more ways of adding contact (shaking with each other, QR code… etc). WhatsApp is still very popular because people can send Text to each other disregarding carrier charge. They only consume your data and text won’t mean much to cellular data indeed. Even if you send photos to people, WhatsApp will compress the image file and send it to the recipients. In such way, we’ll see WhatsApp actually saves your money.
Yet, the Japanese App LINE has potentially wider user base. That is because they are not limited to mobile phone but LINE is now avaliable on iPad and iPod, so as other Android Devices. So iPod and iPad users don’t need a cell phone number to activate this app. LINE is also free and thats the reason why growing numbers of people are now swiching to LINE.
Compared to WhatsApp, LINE seems more “interesting” while they have the same functions. WhatsApp on iOS even turned free after the launch of LINE. Last Night, TVB Hong Kong News said that there are security loopholes (they said LINE will hack user data) and text message charges implied in the LINE App. Many of Hong Kong people were so afraid and deleted the LINE App immediately. The media undeniably has both responsibility and influence on people. Such accusation over messaging app especially LINE might not be fair. Firstly, TVB didn’t mention how carriers can charge people if they are using iPad WIfi and iPod touch. Secondly, security loopholes always exist since none these messaging apps have encryption; messages are prone to be exposed to someone else. Third, also regarding security, people can see you once they have your number, which is if I don’t have someone’s number but the counterparts do, they still can see me online or my status.
Rumors are rumors. Please don’t easily believe those things. And remember do not expose your personal information on these apps. Information such as password, credit card number, ID number, should not be circulated using apps. I still think this as a positive competition among the messaging apps, they are trying best to improve what they have and it seems everytime there comes a breakthrough. The greatest hope of me over them would be to be more transperent as to how they store and protect user information
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Update: NAVER LINE App is now back online! See our latest post
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