This week, Google Talk (also known as GChat), the long-dormant instant messaging service, will be permanently shut down.
According to The Verge, while Google Talk users "migrated" to Google Hangouts in 2017, third-party XMPP clients such as Pidgin and Gajim could still access it. However, Google will shut off these remaining lifelines on June 16 as the tech giant says it's "winding down Google Talk" and won't support third-party apps.
How Did Google Talk Users Migrate To Hangouts?
In 2005, Google Talk was launched as a way for Gmail users to interact with one another via instant messaging, competing with services like Skype and MSN. While it remained popular for several years, Google eventually pushed most Google Talk users to transition to Hangouts in 2012. In 2017, Google phased out the service in favor of Hangouts, as per 9to5Google.
However, Google has previously set up Google Talk integrations with XMPP/Jabber clients like Pidgin and Gajim, which have continued to work in recent years. But as previously mentioned, these third party apps will no longer access Google Talk on June 16.
What Are the Most Popular Messaging Apps Today?
According to a survey conducted by Similarweb's market research intelligence, WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app in 60 of the 90 countries surveyed. Meanwhile, Facebook Messenger has reclaimed second place on the ranking, dropping Telegram down to third.
Below is the top three most popular messaging apps according to the survey:
WhatsApp: 31% of the world
Facebook Messenger: 7% of the world
Telegram: 4% of the world
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Other Messaging Apps Worth Mentioning
Other messaging apps below, however less popular than our top three, are also trending around the world (via Digitaltrends and Similarweb):
Viber is very popular in Europe, with the top three countries being Bulgaria, Greece, and Ukraine.
Line is still popular in Asia, with Japan and Taiwan showing the highest performance.
Snapchat is the fifth most popular messaging app in the U.S., making it a key worldwide player whose performance will be closely monitored in the coming year. In 77 countries, the app is now ranked in the top 10 most popular communication apps.
Signal, from Open Whisper Systems, is a popular alternative to WhatsApp if you're concerned about privacy. For all of your chat and audio calls, this app uses military-grade encryption. Texts, voice calls, group messages, and media attachments are all supported.
Another popular app that allows you to text and phone people all around the world is Skype. For quick access, you can use the app on both your phone and your computer. The software allows you to share screens, participate in free video chats, record discussions, and exchange files, making it ideal for both personal and professional use.
Kakao Talk, South Korea's most popular text messaging software, has been the go-to for many because of its speedy and dependable messaging regardless of whatever network you're connected to. The app's e-commerce integration is a notable feature. Users can share exclusive coupons and bargains from popular brands with their friends and family on KakaoTalk.
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