14 DAY TRIAL // The iOS implementation of WhatsApp is about to undergo some changes this year, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Jan Koum. The app will become a free download for all newcomers and it will go into an annual subscription service.
The confirmation was made in an interview with Dutch journalist Alexander Klopping, according to Tech Crunch. The recording was then made available to others, which revealed that the new subscription model will apply to new users.
In other words, if you download the $0.99 / €0.89 WhatsApp messenger for iPhone right now, you’ll be set for life with no annual subscriptions or anything like that.
The model will likely follow the same pricing scheme as the WhatsApp versions for Android, BlackBerry, Nokia, and Windows Phone – $1/year.
“We’re relaxed on dates, but definitely this year. It’s on the road map,” said Jan Koum, WhatsApp’s CEO. “We want to keep things simple,” he explained.
The news certainly shouldn’t come as a surprise, as there are numerous other instant-messaging services out there that are fighting for a slice of the pie, including Apple’s own iMessages app.
And while some of these services are completely free, WhastApp prides itself on an ad-free experience and reliable servers.
Asked whether WhatsApp was planning a foray into the desktop environment, Koum said this isn’t exactly a top priority for his company.
“We get that question asked a lot,” Koum said.
“We feel strongly that the world is moving to mobile and [so] we want to be mobile-only. Your phone is with you all the time, and desktop is to many becoming a secondary experience. [So] our answer is no, not anytime soon.”
Last updated in December 2012, WhatsApp 2.8.7 for iPhone supports shared locations via the native Maps app. The app requires iOS 4.3 and only works with iPhones (not iPod touches and iPads).