It’s no secret that the world’s app developers have been insistent on creating an alternative to WhatsApp. And while a few of those exist already, it’s hard to beat Facebook’s massive marketing budget and existing reach. Now, two former WhatsApp employees are releasing their creation into the world — HelloApp, which’s aimed at providing a private chat environment for its users. And it’s launching in two major app stores next week.
HelloApp, spot the difference
HelloApp reportedly sports features similar to the famous WhatsApp: one-on-one and group messaging options. The only way to add people is by knowing their mobile number, unlike Telegram, for example, where you can easily access other users via nicknames and location.
You’ll also get access to end-to-end encryption, as well as the promise of no ads. WhatsApp functions in a similar way, but we’ve heard rumours of the potential for ads on the platform in future, as well as data tracking across its services — something some users aren’t particularly keen on.
What makes this app more intriguing than the ones that came before it, is its founders. Both Neeraj Arora (former chief business officer) and Michael Donohue (former engineering director) worked at WhatsApp before and after Facebook took hold of it.
While details are kind of scarce, partly due to the founders declining to be interviewed so early on in the app’s life, according to The Verge, we know that its public version will be available come Monday 26 July. Users can download it from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store from then onward.