14 What’s up WhatsApp? LIFESTYLES
What’s your favorite messaging application?
March 11, 2014
Messaging applications become popular among socially active students BY SACHA CAMERON AND PHUONG NGUYEN
“KakaoTalk. It has cute emotions and a lot of my friends use it.”
—Casey Nguyen sophomore
“KiK becuase you don’t have to use your number. It’s fast and you can do a lot of group chats and stay connected with others.”
PHUONG NGUYEN
Staff Writer and Lifestyles Editor What’s up! These are the first two words that nearly start every conversation. WhatsApp, a messaging application, was recently bought by Facebook for $19 billion. WhatsApp provides a fun, easy way to keep in touch with friends. Users can send texts, pictures and even engage in group messages when using Wi-Fi or a data plan. WhatsApp is known especially for its ability to connect users internationally. Senior Jasmine Hitalani is a frequent user of WhatsApp. The app allows her to communicate with loved ones in her home country. “I usually talk to relatives and friends back home in Syria,” Hitalani said. I like that you can talk to people for free without paying.” As people are always looking for a cheaper, easier way to do things, texting apps such as WhatsApp are becoming more popular. For a mere $1 a year,
Sophomore Loui Al-Ayoub uses WhatsApp to chat with a friend on vacation in Thailand.
users can message their friends without any limits, instead of paying higher rates for generic texting. “I like WhatsApp because it allows me to interact with people near and far, for practically nothing,” sophomore Loui Al- Ayoubi said.
Other students like that fact that messaging apps offer a customized and more private experience in contrast to ordinary texting. Compared to the amount it costs to get a texting plan from phone carriers, using an app may seem to be a good deal to many. It is no wonder more and more people are making the switch. The question now is whether the huge investment will be a success or loss for Facebook, considering the company bought Instagram for only $1 billion in 2012. Many students are skeptical whether WhatsApp will be as enjoyable under Facebook’s management. “No, I think that it’s a bad idea that Facebook bought WhatsApp,” Hitalani said. “[Now], it’s going to be filled with ads.” “I think it’s a bad idea because no one uses Facebook [and its services] anymore,”sophomore Jocelyn Giron said. They’re all using Twitter and Tumblr. It’s just a way [for them] to make money. It’s not going to work because no one knows about WhatsApp, unlike others such as KiK and Snapchat.” WhatsApp recently announced that it would be adding a voice feature to the App. The new feature will help cater to the new users always looking to socialize in
different platforms. With almost half a billion users subscribed to WhatsApp, there could be a change coming for cell phone plans as people begin to switch over to using messaging apps to text. There are many different options to pick from if you want to use a messaging App. As a result of Facebook’s marketing and technological influence on WhatsApp, a sudden surge of similar and competing apps will start to emerge. Sophomore Vanessa Nikolic is a regular user of KiK, a similar competing app with many of the same features as WhatsApp. “You can communicate easier because you can set up a profile picture and you don’t have to use your real phone number,” Nikolic said. “You can delete your username if somebody’s being a creep.” Other popular messaging apps that are already popular with students include Viber, Line, KakaoTalk and Snapchat have large followings among students. The trend of using messaging apps is growing rapidly. Although people will still have to pay for a data plan to use them everywhere, using these apps could save many people a lot of money.
TOMIC BACKPACK
— Angel Adu sophomore
Students always carry certain items that they can’t come to school without. From ear buds to mascara, here are items that students describe as essential for a comfortable day at school.
“I have lotion on me at all times that way I can keep my skin smooth.”
— Bridgett Rivera senior
“It’s a very cute app and you can use it to talk to people all over the world. I use it 3-4 days a week. It’s free and you can [use it] to call and chat.”
— Jessica Alba junior
“I have money in my bag because I go to 7-11 everyday after school to buy food.”
— Chris Phan freshman “I always have a pack of gum [in my backpack] just in case I or a friend might need some. ”
“Its helpful to have mascara in your bag that way you can touch up your makeup at any time.”
— Hammad Lodhi sophomore
—Rayvn Hankinson junior “[I like Snapchat because] you get to see someone’s face. As you use it more and more, it gives you a score.”
— Susan Lin senior
“I keep a charger in my backpack because sometimes my phone dies during the [school] day. ”
— Nelson Bersal junior
“I’m injury prone so I leave bandaids in my bag for emergencies.”
“I use my earbuds a lot during school so I always have them in my bag.”
— Karen Lara freshman
— Nick Torrico senior
“So my lips don’t get chapped I keep chapstick in my bag.”
— Julie Swenton sophomore
–Compiled By Phuong Nguyen
–Compiled By Phuong Nguyen and Diana Quezada
On your smart phone, scan this code using the application “QR code” to read and see a slideshow about the best and dressed celebrities at the Oscars.
Spring forward fashion ideas New spring fashion trends to consider as the warm weather quickly approaches
As alternative to the sometimes unflattering and uncomfortable high waisted jean shorts, try “flowy” high waisted shorts. The loose fit makes an outfit casual and comfortable. Available at Franchesca’s in Tysons Corner Center.
Pair a halter crop top with a shirt or high waisted skirts for a sleek and fun look. They are a good choice for warm weather ahead. Wear a cardigan over halter tops for an appropriate look in school. Available at Garage. A layered skort (shorts/ skirt) is the perfect spring item. It has the comfort and security of shorts but the look of a sleek skirt. Available at Zara.
To add flare to any outfit, add a pair of ankle boots to create a polished and classy look. Available at Urban Outfitters.
Don’t know what to wear? Add a graphic tee or crop top to any bottoms for a relaxed and chic look. Available at Forever 21.
– Pictures compiled by Diana Quezada