Who created WhatsApp and Viber - briefly?
Jan Koum and Brian Acton are the founders of WhatsApp, launched in 2009. Djamolkhod Nogerov created Viber, which was released in 2010.
Who created WhatsApp and Viber - in detail?
WhatsApp, a ubiquitous messaging platform, was created by Jan Koum and Brian Acton. The story of its inception is rooted in their shared experience at Yahoo, where they both worked together for nearly a decade before leaving the company in September 2007. In January 2009, Koum purchased an iPhone and was struck by the potential of the Apple App Store. He began developing an application that would display statuses next to individual contact names. However, after a few months, Koum realized that the market for such an app was not promising.
Inspired by his experience with Apple's push notifications, Koum decided to transform his application into a messaging service. He recruited Acton, who provided financial support while Koum focused on building the product. They named their creation "WhatsApp" after the phrase "what's up." The app was officially launched in November 2009.
The initial version of WhatsApp allowed users to set a status that displayed next to their name, similar to how instant messaging clients had user statuses. However, Koum and Acton soon pivoted to a model focused on sending messages using the internet rather than traditional SMS, which was more expensive. This shift proved to be a game-changer, as WhatsApp quickly gained traction among users looking for a cost-effective way to communicate.
In February 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion. The acquisition marked a significant milestone in the history of both companies, with WhatsApp continuing to operate as an independent entity within Facebook's corporate structure.
Viber, another prominent messaging platform, was created by Talmon Marco and Igor Magazinnik. Marco, who served as the CEO of Viber, had previously worked at ICQ, a pioneering instant messaging service acquired by AOL in 1998. In 2006, while working on his startup OnTime, Marco met Magazinnik, an experienced software engineer. Together, they envisioned creating a new type of communication platform that would leverage the power of mobile devices and internet connectivity.
The development of Viber began in late 2010. The app was designed to provide users with free voice calls over the internet, a feature that set it apart from other messaging services at the time. Viber's launch in December 2010 coincided with the increasing popularity of smartphones and the growing demand for cost-effective communication solutions.
Viber quickly gained a significant user base, particularly in regions where traditional telecommunication costs were high. In February 2014, Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce company, acquired Viber for $900 million. The acquisition further solidified Viber's position as a leading player in the global messaging market.
Both WhatsApp and Viber have since evolved into comprehensive communication platforms, offering features such as video calls, group chats, and multimedia sharing. Their success can be attributed to the visionary founders who recognized the potential of mobile technology and internet connectivity in transforming how people communicate worldwide.