Tag: free apps

At the same time, the messaging service doesn’t appear to intend to replace the fees with ads.

WhatsApp, the popular Facebook owned mobile app messaging service has now announced that it won’t be charging an annual subscription fee to allow users to use the application and its features.

Instead, it will be testing various tools that would allow mobile applications user various communications.

Among them will be to let the mobile app users to take advantage of direct communication with organizations such as businesses through the use of the application. WhatsApp currently has an estimated 900 million users around the globe. It functions across many models of smartphone and several mobile operating systems. While many people might assume that the service would be changed to include third party advertising in order to replace the revenue that will be lost from dropping the subscription rate, this is apparently not going to be the case.

The fee is now going to be waived for the use of the mobile app and no third party ads will be replacing it.

At the moment, the fee being charged for an annual subscription of WhatsApp has been $0.99 USD or the equivalent for other countries worldwide. That fee is typically waived for the first year, already, and then begins once the second year gets started. That said, this fee is going to be removed completely over the next few weeks.

According to the official WhatsApp blog, it will be opening up a number of tools that allow for direct communication with businesses. It explained this by saying that “That could mean communicating with your bank about whether a recent transaction was fraudulent, or with an airline about a delayed flight.”

This mobile app was among the first ones that make it possible for people to skip over their network charges for texting, while still being able to send and receive text messages over smartphones. This has made the program increasingly popular among younger generations of device users. This service is currently facing rising competition from rivals such as those offered by Google. This may very well be a strategy to boost the competitive edge of the company.

Do you constantly find yourself not being able to make a decision because of too many choices?

This dilemma is actually preferable than having no choice at all. But this is still a clear example of paralysis by analysis. And this happens frequently to music lovers trying to find the best music streaming app—there are just too many choices out there.

Where to begin?

To answer the question of how to find the best media streaming app, you have to look at the range of choices. Of course, we know you’re the busy sort. So we’re doing it for you. Right down below, we will discuss, in some detail, some criteria in choosing which music streaming app works for you.

Consider These

• For Free or For a Fee

This all depends on the kind of budget you have (and whether you’re a spendthrift or cheap). There are apps that are free to download but need you to pay a subscription for you to start listening. There are also free apps that deliver free content. A good example is Pandora (http://www.pandoraapp.org/).

We’re not advocating one over the other. Both types of apps have their pros and cons. The subscription apps offer more features and no ads. It’s perfect for those who have complicated musical requirements and for those who are impatient. Otherwise, the free apps with ads (and other such annoyances) are par for course.

• Customization and Personalization Features

Music streaming apps vary in the degree in which the user can customize and personalize both the content and functionality. All the big players offer their users and subscribers with a degree of control to choose and customize what music they want played and when they want it played. As a result, users can create their own playlists and music stations.

Again, each app offers varying degrees of customization features. It’s up to the user to determine which works best for him. As an example, Grooveshark lets you pick and choose the music you want free. This lets you customize your playlist to your heart’s content. In other music streaming apps (like Spotify), this feature is for a fee.

• Sharing Capabilities

Not all apps allow users to share their playlist to other users. Before you decide on downloading an app, you can check whether they have sharing capabilities. The music streaming experience is made more dynamic when one can share playlists and can access other user’s playlists.

Through these sharing capabilities, the music streaming app takes on a social media component. People start connecting with each other through music when sharing is allowed in the app you chose.

• Content

An app’s breadth of choices is another criterion one looks for in finding the best music streaming app. A majority of the apps have most of the mainstream fare on offer. But there are a few out there who feature underground acts who have yet to hit mainstream recognition. If you’re the type to listen to the offbeat and obscure, then look for apps like SoundCloud.

Some apps go the extra mile and offer World Music choices to appeal to a broader audience. And some make it even easier for users by categorizing music into genre, artist, record label, etc.·

• Geographic Availability

Be sure to check whether the streaming service is available in your area or country. Some apps, like MOG, are only available in the US. Most apps offer their streaming service to Europe, South America, Oceania and some parts of Asia (aside from the US).

If you’re living outside the US, it’s important to consider the availability of the app’s services in the area where you live. But with the way technology progresses, these apps will no doubt serve all parts of the globe in the near future.

You don’t have to experience paralysis by analysis if you know how to go about making the right choice. Sure, there are probably hundreds of music streaming apps by now. But you can easily weed out the mediocre ones from the truly good ones. Again, to each his own. There’s no “best” app because one’s preferences should always be considered.

Author Bio:

Jimmy R. loves listening to music so much that he can’t help write about it. He is an advocate of music streaming apps, especially the free ones.