Trying to understand whatsapp

I used What's App on my last trip. It's great for communicating oversea's. It is widely used by European's in General. Almost everyone I meet at Oktoberfest and in Italy last year all use it and I communicate with them weekly on it.

Your regular phone would use a network like Verizon and if you call a Foreign number you are charged for the call if you plan doesn't include international minutes. Also if you are texting someone in Europe you maybe charged and they maybe charged on their end to read it.

What's App works over Wifi and Data. So I can call anyone in Italy from What's App over my wifi network or against my unlimited Data plan and not pay a cent. You can text via it also using data not your mobile network. This is great abroad just jump on a cafe wifi and place a call or text using What's App.

Whatsapp is a messaging app, that also allows to make calls, but using your data, not your phone plan, that means that it does not matter if your number is from another country, that would imply long distance calling, with whatsapp you can call any number (that has whatsapp installed) with just your data plan.

It's widely used in Europe. It's a messaging system that will cost you nothing. I used it a lot to text my family members. Unlike text messages, it's free, even when I text overseas across the Ocean. I haven't used it for telephone calls.

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the help. It looks like I should have family at home download the app as well.

You'll give the App permission to access your contacts and microphone. When you select a contact there's a phone icon up at the top right of the screen, hit that and voila. My daughter has called a few times from the middle of nowhere and it works just great. It is something lots of people outside of the U.S. like to use. Have a friend use it too and use it a bit before you travel.

So am I correct in presuming that the person you are messaging/calling has to have the app downloaded as well?

^ ^ ^ Yes, that's right.

Thanks, Dave.

When I downloaded the app for our recent trip it told me which of my current contacts already have WhatsApp downloaded, I was surprised to see how many of my friends were already using it. I had all my kids download it and we communicated regularly with it.

It allows you to text in real time with no costs when you have access to free wifi. What could be better when travelling?

OK so here's the burning question, how do they make money? Ads? Harvesting and selling your personal info?

Phred - probably all of them. Since everyone here uses it (except me and 3 other dinosaurs), I googled your question.

Here are a couple of answers
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/040915/how-whatsapp-makes-money.asp

http://neurogadget.com/2015/10/31/how-does-whatsapp-make-money/18875

International and local phone calls are very easy with it, and good quality.

Another free and easy to use app, is facebook messenger. I used it in Europe, and to check in at home. Seems like most people around the world use facebook.

Hi all, Very interested in whatsapp as we had friends from Portugal use it while visiting us. Are there any users from Canada that could comment on how it works for them? Thanks,
Sherry

Chani, I would be one of those 3 dinosaurs you wrote about. Thank you for posting the links- Interesting information! I didn't realize Facebook had recently purchased the app; even more interesting. I had considered getting this on my phone but after reading these two articles, I think I will stick to using my T-Mobile account when I'm traveling and remain among the dinosaurs!

I have it here in Canada, and use it to "talk " to my friend in the UK.
You don't actually speak, but use texts.
I have the same request to call my agent on Whatsapp for the apt. I am renting in Paris, when I arrive.
As I will have my phone with me from here, if I connect to Wifi there, will this be a huge charge on my plan for a short text to say I've arrived?
I usually go and get a Sim Card for my phone in whatever country I'm in in Europe; but in this case want to go to the apartment first, so will have my Canadian Simcard still in the phone.
Anyone got any idea?

Here's a thread you may be interested in.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/google-hangouts-hangouts-dialer-and-google-voice

S Jackson,

You didn't say which cell network you're with, but you might find that it's reasonably cost effective to just get a roaming plan with your home cell carrier. They've been offering much better deals in the last year or so, so you may find that's a reasonably cost effective option. A plan that provides voice and texts shouldn't be too expensive. Sent texts are often only about 75¢ each and received texts often free.

If you're using a smart phone, you'll have to contend with data roaming also, which will increase the costs. If you leave the cellular data switched "Off" and just use Wi-Fi, you can avoid data roaming costs.

I can't offer any tips on Whatsapp as I use Viber. When used on Wi-Fi, texts sent with Viber are free. It also allows voice calls, which are free to other Viber users but there's a small cost if non-Viber numbers are called. I haven't used the voice feature yet, so can't comment on the audio quality.

I am trying not to be such a dinosaur. Friends recently introduced me to Facetime, for free video calling using Apple devices and a wifi connection. It's built-in to the devices, you just have to turn it on. I figure Apple already knows more about me than I do, anyway . . . Still resisting anything FB, however.