Samsung updates ChatON to gain users
2013-02-15 14:17
Cape Town - Samsung on Thursday announced an update to its ChatON instant messaging service that expands the service to multiple devices and web browsers.
Samsung said that the service, which is built in to its products, was being expanded to multiple devices.
"ChatON 2.0 now takes this one step further, enabling users to access the service from multiple devices for a true multi-screen user experience," said Craige Fleischer, director of Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics SA.
The service allows users access via all smartphone platforms, including BlackBerry devices which dominate the South African mobile landscape.
It is also available on older feature phones which still make up a large percentage of cellphones in SA.
"It is even possible to use ChatON from a PC web browser by logging onto chaton.com with the same Samsung Account ID. Users can now also invite friends to ChatON conversations from a wider variety of platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Weibo," Samsung said.
Users
Despite Samsung's push of the service globally, there are relatively few ChatON users and reviews on Google's Play Store are an illustration of the lack of user conversion to the platform.
"Its good but the only problem is that not much people use ChatOn. Out of all my contact there is only 2 who use ChatOn -update move to sd please my phone has limited device memory," (sic) wrote a user who gave the application a one star rating.
"It really works great .. but only one of my contact use it .. seems useless to me since there is only one person i can ChatOn to... but i Hope not ... i think soon .. everyone will appreciate this app ... specially if u make it movable to sd card .. thank u .. keep up the good work! :-)" (sic) wrote a user called Angelo Vargas.
Samsung is determined to drive adoption of the software and has included new features that might attract new users.
The Special Buddy feature allows users to create mini social profiles and feeds from third party vendors.
South Africans have more choice with the launch of several instant messaging applications available, but a social media expert Samantha Fleming told News24 that success will depend on where a person's social network is located.
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