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Reading Task

1. Read the following article. Highlight any words you don't know.

Why a Freeware Messaging App Became So Popular

An enormously popular messaging and Voice over IP service owned by the social network created by Mark Zuckerberg allows users to send text messages, voice calls, recorded voice messages, video calls,images, documents, and user location. More than 1 billion people in over 180 countries use this unique freeware messaging app to stay in touch.

What made it so popular, and why is it still popular? Most people think of this as the first IM app to install on their new smartphone.

The Platform that Killed SMS

When the app launched, people were complaining about the price of SMS texts.SMS was costly and limited. This app solved the problem by allowing messages to be sent to any other user without counting words, without being deprived of multimedia content, and without being restricted to the number of contacts, al for free. Meanwhile,in some parts of the world, one SMS message could cost as much as a dollar.

You Are Your Number

The app, known internationally by the icon of a white telephone inside a green text bubble,went one step further than video-conference call apps in one particular direction, that of identifying users on the network. It identifies people through their phone numbers. No need to ask for a username. If you have someone's phone number in your contacts, it means they are already in your app contacts,if they use the app. This makes it easier for texting than video-conference call apps. On this app, anyone who has your number has you on the network, and you cannot choose to be offline. You also cannot hide behind a fake identity.

No Ads, for Now

Everyone knows how annoying ads can be.This popular app doesn't impose ads on its users. At least, it didn't. It turns out that the social network whose icon is a rounded f plans to start showing ads in the platform Status tab beginning in 2019.

Text adapted from: www.lifewire.com/reasons-why-whatsapp-is-popular-3426372

2.Write another advantage of this freeware messaging app in the box below.

3. Read the text again and infer the meaning of the following concepts.

a.launched b.complaining c. fake identity

UNIT

Lesson 1·The World of Apps

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