When was WhatsApp created, the release date - briefly?
WhatsApp was created by Brian Acton and Jan Koum in 2009. The official release date of the application is February 24, 2009.
When was WhatsApp created, the release date - in detail?
WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging platforms worldwide, was created in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum. The idea behind WhatsApp emerged when Koum, a former Yahoo engineer, decided to leave his job after being turned down for a position at Facebook. Shortly after leaving Yahoo, Koum purchased an iPhone and realized the potential of using it as a communication tool beyond traditional phone calls and text messages.
In February 2009, Acton and Koum officially incorporated WhatsApp Inc. in California. The initial release date of the app was August 24, 2009. On this day, the application was launched on the Apple App Store for iOS users. The founders chose to name their creation "WhatsApp" as a play on words, combining "what's up" with the idea that it would serve as a status update tool similar to the then-popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM).
The app quickly gained traction due to its simplicity and effectiveness in allowing users to send messages without incurring SMS fees. Within a few years, WhatsApp expanded its features to include multimedia messaging, group chats, and voice calls. In February 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the tech industry at that time.
Today, WhatsApp continues to be a dominant force in global communication, with over two billion users across more than 180 countries. The release date of August 24, 2009, marked the beginning of a revolution in digital messaging that has significantly impacted how people communicate worldwide.