10 Best Messaging Apps

WhatsApp (Android, iOS, WP8) (Free download, $0.99/year)

Remarkably easy setup, automatic syncing with your phone's contacts and a feature-rich, ad-free experience all combine to make WhatsApp (Android, iOS, WP8) a wildly popular mobile messaging app. Users can send text, photos, voice and short video messages to their WhatsApp contacts. The app does require phone functionality, so it won't work on all devices. WhatsApp is free to use for the first year, with a cost of $0.99 per year. The basic ease of use, wealth of features and ballooning user base of more than 450 million people explains why Facebook was willing to pay $19 billion to acquire it.

Viber (Android, iOS, WP8) (Free)

Viber (Android, iOS, WP8) is another messaging app that's easy to set up while still offering a variety of options. There's no need to mess around with PINs, as Viber uses your phone number as your login, and the app syncs with your phone in order to help you find Viber-using contacts. You can use this app to send text, stickers and emoticons, photos, voice and video messages for free to other Viber users, while the new Viber Out feature lets you call non-Viber numbers and landline phones worldwide (for a fee). The fee is considered an in-app purchase, and the amount depends on where you're calling. You will need a SIM card and phone functionality to set up Viber.

Send (iOS; Android & Windows coming soon) (Free)

Microsoft's Send is an interesting new messaging app that aims to combine the ubiquity of email with the simplicity of instant messaging apps. Doing away with email-isms like subject lines, salutations and signatures, Send is instead designed to send out quick, snappy messages to any of your email contacts, without any additional logins or signups required with creating or signing up to a new messaging app. People you send messages to can receive them in their normal email app, and can respond through email normally. Users only see email conversations begun in Send, rather than their entire Inbox, but they can also organize and review Send messages in their normal email app.

Telegram (Android, iOS) (Free)

A mobile messaging app for the post-Snowden age, Telegram (Android, iOS) is aimed squarely at the security conscious user. Telegram features fast, encrypted chat messaging, with client-server encryption for standard chats, while a Secure Chat mode provides end-to-end encryption so that only you and your intended recipient can read it. You can even set messages to self-destruct, so that it's only readable for a short time before disappearing from both phones. You can share videos, documents and participate in group chats of up to 200 users.

TextSecure (Android) (Free

TextSecure is an open source secure messaging app by Open Whisper Systems, the same team behind encrypted calling app RedPhone. TextSecure aims to provide users with fast, easy to use and secure end-to-end encrypted instant messaging that's accessible even to the everyday user. TextSecure allows users to send encrypted instant messages, group messages, photos and other attachments to other TextSecure users, while also functioning as a plain SMS and MMS app to your other phone contacts that don't use TextSecure. TextSecure's combination of ease of use (just like your normal SMS messaging app) and strong encryption makes it popular among security conscious users.

Blackberry Messenger (Android, iOS) (Free)

While BlackBerry long tried to keep its famed BlackBerry Messenger proprietary within their app ecosystem, it finally released BBM into Android and iOS in 2013. BBM is a particularly robust instant messaging app that allows you to send free text and voice calls, photo, file and location sharing, as well as including delivery and receipt tags for your messages. A PIN system allows you to share your BBM contacts without having to share phone or email details, while 2-way opt-in for communications allows you to control who can send you messages.

Facebook Messenger (Android, iOS) (Free)

Facebook's own foray into the mobile messaging field is Facebook Messenger (Android, iOS), a dedicated messaging app that builds on Facebook's existing chat network and adds more mobile messaging features. Users sign in with their Facebook accounts and can send other users the usual chat messages, as well as voice messages and voice calls to other Messenger users. On Android, Messenger has a neat "Chat Heads" feature that pops up in the screen to allow you to chat even when other apps are on-screen

Line (Android, iOS, WP8) (Free)

Line (Android, iOS, WP8) now boasts a worldwide reach with more than 300 million users. This messaging app features a combination of text and social network features, creating an interesting blend within a single app. Users can send free text and voice messages, shoot and share short movies, as well as make voice and video calls. A Facebook-like Timeline feature allows users to post text, stickers, photos and location info to other users, providing a running lifelog for your Line contacts.

Skype (Android, iOS, WP8) (Free)

While Microsoft's Skype (Android, iOS, WP8) is most known for its video and voice call functionality, the app also boasts a reasonably robust instant messaging system. Skype's instant messaging features allow you to send text, photos and even short video messages to other Skype users even when they're not online. Additionally, Skype users can use Skype Credits to make calls to mobile phones and landlines. While Skype's instant messaging isn't functionally ground-breaking, it covers the right bases and has well-established reach.]

WeChat (Android, iOS) (Free)

TenCent's WeChat (Android, iOS) might be the biggest messaging app you've never heard of. With 438 million users (more than 70 million outside of China), WeChat is dominating presence in the Chinese mobile Web and beyond. WeChat provides users with free mobile instant messaging, video and voice calls, group chat, and multimedia messaging (images, video, audio, stickers, etc). The app also includes quirky features such as "Friend Radar," "People Nearby" and "Shake" to quickly find new people to chat with nearby. Android Wear and Apple Watch apps are also available.

The World's 21 Most Important Social Media Sites and Apps in 2015

The concepts behind “social networking” aren’t anything new – ever since there have been humans, we have been looking for ways to connect, network, and promote with one another – but they’ve taken on an entirely new meaning (and momentum) in the digital age. Where we used to have handshakes, word-of-mouth referrals, and stamped letters, today’s relationships are often begun and developed on LinkedIn, Google +, and Facebook.

That means savvy business owners have to know and use a variety of social platforms to stay relevant, not to mention take advantage of emerging opportunities. Below, you’ll find what I consider to be the 21 most important channels and tools you need to be aware of.

1. Twitter. Perhaps the simplest of all social media platforms, Twitter also just happens to be one of the most fun and interesting. Messages are limited to 140 characters or less, but that’s more than enough to post a link, share an image, or even trade thoughts with your favorite celebrity or influencer. Twitter’s interface is easy to learn and use, and setting up a new profile only takes minutes.

2. Facebook. Considered to be synonymous with “social media” by some, Facebook is the one site where you’re likely to find friends, colleagues, and relatives all floating around. Although Facebook is mainly centered around sharing photos, links, and quick thoughts of a personal nature, individuals can also show their support to brands or organizations by becoming fans.

3. LinkedIn. One of the only mainstream social media sites that’s actually geared towards business, LinkedIn is to cyberspace what networking groups once were to local business communities. It’s great for meeting customers, getting in touch with vendors, recruiting new employees, and keeping up with the latest in business or industry news. If it matters to your company or career, you can probably do it on LinkedIn.

4. Xing. Another professional networking and recruitment site, Xing has the global presence and focus that LinkedIn lacks. Although it can be mistaken for a job search portal, the site actually has a number of features and communities that make it easy to develop relationships with suppliers, colleagues and even thought leaders within industry.

5. Renren. Literally translating into “everyone’s website,” Renren is China’s largest social platform. Hugely popular with the younger crowd, it works in a way similar to Facebook, allowing users to share quick thoughts, update their moods, connect with others, and add posts or ideas to a blog-like stream.

6. Google+. Social media’s big up-and-comer has really arrived over the past few years. By combining the best of Facebook and Twitter into one site – and backing it by the power of the world’s largest search engine, Google has given users a social site that has a little something for everyone. You can add new content, highlight topics with hashtags, and even separate contacts into circles. And, a G+ profile only takes a few minutes to get set up.

7. Disqus. Disqus isn’t actually a social media platform so much as a social engagement platform, but it can definitely help you improve your social engagement. As a tool for commenting, managing feedback on your own website (or other Disqus-enabled websites), and managing spam/troll type messages, it’s invaluable. Advanced features allow for social monitoring and upvoting. 

8. LinkedIn Pulse. Even though Pulse is technically a part of LinkedIn, it’s big and important enough to deserve its own entry. Serving as something between a blog and “best of” outlet, it’s the perfect medium sharing new ideas and keeping up on the thought leaders in your industry. 

9. Snapchat. This surprisingly-addictive app gives you the ability to take a picture, add art and text if you’d like, and then send it to recipients for a set amount of time (after which the photo will delete itself and be removed from the company’s servers). Lots of fun, and potentially a good way to stay in touch with friends. 

10. Tumblr. This platform is different form many others in that it essentially hosts microblogs for its users. Individuals and companies, in turn, can fill their blogs with multimedia (like images and short video clips). The fast-paced nature of Tumblr makes it ideal for memes, GIF’s, and other forms of fun or viral content. 

11. Pinterest. Serving as a giant virtual idea and inspiration board, Pinterest has made a huge impact on social media in the last few years. Especially popular with women and the do-it-yourself crowd, it lets you share pictures, creative thoughts, or (especially) before-and-after pictures of projects that others can pin, save, or duplicate.

12. Twoo. This Belgian social network site is geared for the 25 and under crowd all over the world. Alongside normal social features like posts, updates, and photo sharing, it also boasts online games and chat features that make it popular with younger users who want to stay entertained while connecting with each other.

13. MyMFB. Created as a Muslim alternative to Facebook (it was previously called MillatFacebook), this site aims to connect the faith’s 1.5+ billion followers into a single social platform. While that might sound ambitious, it’s growing quickly and offers many of the same post, update, and sharing features as the original Facebook, and is already immensely popular in some parts of the world.

14. YouTube. As a video sharing service, YouTube has become so popular that its catalog of billions and billions of videos has become known as “the world’s second-largest search engine” in some circles. The site has everything from first-person product reviews to promotional clips and “how-two” instruction on virtually any topic or discipline. Users have the ability to share, rate, and comment on what they see.

15. Instagram. If you’re looking for a quick, convenient connection between the camera feature on your smart phone and all your social profiles, then Instagram is the answer. Not only will allow you to share via Twitter, Facebook, and the Instagram website, you can choose from a variety of photo filters and invite friends to comment on your photos or ideas.

16. Vine. This site (also available as an app) offers users the chance to share and view brief video clips. While that theoretically offers a virtually endless range of uses, most of Vine’s content is entertainment-focused, with a heavy preference towards “viral” and “meme” clips that are easy to share.

17. WhatsApp. The WhatsApp concept is simple: send text-style messages to anyone else using the platform, but without paying data charges. That straightforward idea has already gathered more than 700 million fans, making the app the world’s most popular messaging platform.

18. vk.com. Promoting itself as Europe’s largest social media site, vk.com is essentially the Russian version of Facebook, with the same kinds of profiles, messaging, and games you would expect. Like Facebook, vk.com allows users to enter both personal and professional information about themselves, and to follow or show support for organizations and businesses.

19. Meetup. Meetup is a perfectly-named platform, because it’s perfect for organizing local groups around specific interests. There are meetups centered on just about everything, from music to hobbies, and get-togethers are almost always open to newcomers. That makes it perfect for exploring an interest and making new friends at the same time.

20. Secret. This might be the best social media app most people haven’t tried. The premise is simple: join into a group of friends (or create your own), and then share an anonymous message. It’s great for fun interactions, idea starters, or just finally getting something off your chest. (Editor's note, 5/13/2015: Secret has folded. Co-founder David Byttow writes: "After a lot of thought and consultation with our board, I’ve decided to shut down Secret. Over time, I plan to publish postmortems so that others can learn from the unique mistakes and challenges we faced and the wisdom gained from such an incredible 16 months.")

21. Medium. If you’ve ever wished that social engagement could come with an ongoing, up-to-date “how to” manual written by the experts, Medium might be just what you’re looking for. With lots of helpful advice, tips, and articles, it can give you everything you need to start connecting like a pro.

Whatsapp Tricks

How to see Last Seen on WhatsApp even if Hidden

In order to see Last seen of a contact which has hidden its Last Seen information and also get an alert when the same contact goes Online in Android follow the steps given below :

• Download WhatsDog App from Play Store and install it on your device in which you are running WhatsApp.
• After installing WhatsDog App, tap on the App icon to open it.
• Select Start on the main screen. 
• In the next screen you need to enter the contact number whose Last Seen you wish to monitor.
• Tap on BY CONTACT to directly set the contact from Contact list instead of entering the number manually.
• Tap on Continue once you have set the Contact whose Last Seen you want to see.

Select Contact whose Last seen even if Hidden is to be viewed and Continue

• You are done! Now in the Second Tab of the WhatsDog App all the Online/Offline time information will be written even if the contact has hidden Last Seen from Privacy Settings as shown in the image below.

View Online and Offline time stamps even if Last Seen is Hidden for the contact selected

• Moreover, you will get a notification as soon as the contact goes Online on WhatsApp as shown below.

Notification if the contact goes Online on WhatsApp

This way you can also get to know if someone is Online on WhatsApp. WhatsDog App is free. The limitation of the app is that you can monitor ( i.e. see Last Seen information) only one contact at a time.

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.secondlemon.whatsdogpremium&hl=en