Asian rivals hot on heels of WhatsApp

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.digitalone.com.sg/news/article/26378

These days, Asian mobile messaging applications are creating more buzz and closing in on WhatsApp, the market leader from Silicon Valley.

The one to watch in particular is China's WeChat, which is said to be planning an initial public offering in Singapore. Its parent company Tencent has registered a company in Singapore earlier this month, business registry records show.

Known as Weixin in Chinese, WeChat has acquired around 400 million registered users since its launch in 2011 and is gaining popularity in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and also Singapore.

Other up and coming Asian messaging apps include Line from Japan with 200 million users, India's Nimbuzz with 150 million and South Korea's KakaoTalk with 100 million.

In the chat race

WeChat

Based in China, founded in January 2011

Registered users: Around 400 million

Features: Voice messages, video chats and locating nearby users

Line

Japan, June 2011

Registered users: 200 million

Features: Stickers, free calls, games and emoticons

Nimbuzz

India; started in 2006 in the Netherlands

Registered users: 150 million

Features: Virtual coins to buy items like avatars and gifts

KakaoTalk

South Korea, March 2010

Registered users: 100 million

Features: Games and celebrity accounts

WhatsApp

United States, July 2009

Users: 300 million monthly active users

Features: Photo sharing and voice messages