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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2538488/SMS-takes-seat-IM-number-texts-sent-Britain-falls-time.html

Number of text messages being sent falls for the first time ever as more people turn to Whatsapp and iMessage. 

The number of texts sent in Britain peaked at 39.7billion in 2011, having sparked the new language of text speak, from OMG (Oh My God) to LOL (Laugh Out Loud) and XOXO, meaning hugs and kisses. However, this year the number is predicted to fall to 21billion, less than half the 50billion ‘instant messages’ that will be sent.

The number of texts that are being sent has fallen due to the fact that there are other ways of contacting people, for example, whatsapp and iMessage and other apps. There are so many new apps that allow people to contact each other that texts are becoming irrelevant. People are no longer paying for texts, they are paying for more internet so that they can use the apps. I agree with this story, as I don't use texts any more and I hardly know anyone who use texts to contact someone. There are other ways such as calling, through Whatsapp and other apps. 

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/21/whatsapp-facebook-messaging-apps-viber-kik

What's next after WhatsApp: a guide to the future of messaging apps

Facebook’s $19bn deal points to the internet’s future, but from Viber’s domination to upstart Kik, WhatsApp is hardly unique

Messaging is enticing for a few reasons. For one, it’s a medium used by people all over the world. For another, it’s quieter; messages deliver a stream of photos, video or simple text direct fromloved ones, without the added noise of everyone else on the internet. Messages provide for thefastest way for people to connect or find each other in a crowd. And messages allow people to buy stuff – lots and lots of stuff – in an almost criminally seamless manner.

Consider the following a 101 guide to some of the messaging apps you may not have heard about, including a brief refresher on WhatsApp. These apps provide services that WhatsApp/Facebook may hope to emulate in the race to make money and literally monopolize the world’s attention. (And if that sounds creepy, that’s because it sort of is. The Guardian’s Dan Gilmor takes a look at a world where Zuckerberg, not phone service providers, dominate communication.)

Short attention span version: Born and bred in Silicon Valley by two ex-Yahoo employees, this app registers one million new users per day, and 450m users per month use the service to send text, photo and video. And now it’s worth a lot of money.

Where it’s popular: Europe – up to 80% market penetration in countries including Brazil, Germany, Portugal and Spain – and Latin America, India

Numbers: $19bm is the only number anyone’s paying attention to at the moment

Why it’s worth watching: See above. Also, WhatsApp’s revenue strategy ($1 after a year of free use) looks especially sluggish compared to other apps offering similar services.

More reading: Dominic Rushe’s breaking story on the acquisition also has great background onfounders’ visions for the tool – and more numbers, if you need them.

Whatsapp has been brought by Facebook, whatsapp is a popular way people talk to each other and catch up with each other, it is popular in Europe - up to 80% market penetration in countries including Brazil, Germany, Portugal and Spain - and Latin Amercia and India. This shows is a something that is used around the world and it is really popular.