LONDON: Singtel launched a WhatsApp-cum-Skype hybrid hoping to compete with the numerous mobile apps offering free calls.
But experts here say Singtel’s efforts may be a case of too little, too late.
The new app called Wavee lets users create chat groups and share photos and videos, like WhatsApp; make video calls to one another, like Skype; plus send stickers and emoticons, like Viber and Line.
As with all of these other mobile messaging apps, Wavee to Wavee calls are free if users have Wi-Fi, and people need only pay the cost of mobile data usage if they are connecting via their 3G/4G cellular service. Singtel has also waived the data charge for its customers until July 9.
An upcoming update will also let Wavee users make calls to mobile and landline phone numbers, in a service similar to the SkypeOut and ViberOut features in Skype and Viber.
Users can also choose to let Wavee handle its SMS messaging service, combining both SMS and Wavee chat messages into a common message log.
Singtel is trying to combine the best features of the various apps into the “all-in-one” Wavee, though it is missing out on some features, including Skype’s ability to launch a multi- party video call.
