SMS is dying, long live personality
Snapchat is leading the way to kill SMS.
Ever since the days of full keyboards on phones, texting has become a popular medium of communication. We’ve stopped making phone calls in favor of the quicker and more efficient texting alternative. And who wouldn’t?
The decline of SMS
As The Guardian reports, text messaging is actually in decline in the UK, with another report says that text messaging started to decline in the US as early as 2012.
With thousands of smartphones being sold every day, it may be surprising to hear that we’re now sending less text messages than just a couple of years ago. However, it is actually because we’re selling more and more smartphones that SMS (texting) is in decline.
SMS is over 20 years old. The technology hasn’t been upgraded for years, it’s just about the same as it was 5 years ago. Would you buy an app that hasn’t been updated in 2 years? Not likely. As more and more consumers obtain better phones with faster internet connections, their mediums of communication are improving as well.
The Snapchat Update
Recently, Snapchat issued an update that added some features that will change the trajectory of the app drastically. Snapchat essentially added a way to video chat that isn’t cumbersome and a better way to text someone within their app. The Verge has a more in depth look at the update.
From some limited experience within the app, I love the new messaging feature that Snapchat has included in the update. Snapchat’s UI is incredibly fitting for the target audience. It’s simple, fun, and makes sense. I love the little nuances of Snapchat, like when you tap on a message to save it, the font changes from a sans-serif to a serif font. I really like it. Maybe that’s just because I’m that type of guy.
The real question here is whether or not teens will replace texting with Snapchat’s new messaging feature.
The main difference between Snapchatting and texting is that when you send a Snapchat message, it will soon be gone. Poof. While some could see this as a drawback, odds are that if you’re using Snapchat to send temporary photos, you’re probably fine with sending temporary messages, too.
After all, who looks at their backlog of text messages? Rarely will I have to look back at previous conversations, if I do it’s to double check an address or the time I’m supposed to show up somewhere. Not that I’ll show up on time anyway.
The way I see it, Snapchat made a brilliant move by adding messaging to their platform. While I’ve heard poor reviews (many people are still getting used to the update), I’ve also heard that teens are going crazy over the update. People will adapt. Life finds a way.
Facebook spent $19 billion on Whatsapp, there’s an incredible amount of value there for Facebook with all of its users. Whatsapp and other IMing services have become popular because they act as a way to circumvent texting and even save some money on your cell phone bill.
These apps are also regularly updated and include some features that SMS has yet to include: stickers, improved file sharing, better group chatting, etc. It’s no wonder that Facebook spent so much on an IM app.
And Whatsapp isn’t alone, either. There is a slew of similar apps available on a variety of platforms that offer similar features for users. Everyone can be connected instantly, even quicker than SMS.
iMessages
As an Apple guy, I love iMessages. Apple implemented it very well into the native messages app. Sending an iMessage and a text are done in the same exact way, so millions of iPhone users are now using the service daily.
And because of iMessages, I’ve sent about 6 texts per day so far this billing cycle. Six. iMessages simply work better for the average Apple user; I have access to all my contacts on my iPhone and iMac. I can essentially send a text message from my iMac now. Can’t do that without iMessages.
Getting more personal
So, yes, SMS is dying. It’s going to stay around for a long time, but it has already hit its peak.
But I’ve noticed yet another trend: messaging apps are getting more personal.
Let’s go back to the Snapchat update. Snapchat is already a great app for keeping up with your best buds. Most people aren’t sharing to a wide group of friends with Snapchat, snaps are sent to your close circle of friends (which is why it makes sense to have a “best friends” section).
Snapchat’s updates are adding more features to allow you to connect with your best friends even better. I personally think that Snapchat did an excellent job with the video chat feature; it’s so casual and easy to use that I can see people using it over Skype. You may not want to video chat with every single person on your Facebook friends list, but you’re probably pretty cool with video chatting with your best friend on Snapchat.
Other messaging apps are getting more personal too, adding stickers, emoticons, and other doo-dads to make messaging a bit more fun. Black text on a green and white background just gets a little cold sometimes. Messaging should be fun, and that’s where we’re headed.
You can follow Justin on Twitter, @SomewhatJustin.
