communication platforms Archives

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

From Maps to Meet, here’s how readers rank their favorite Google apps

A recent poll with nearly 1,900 votes revealed that Google Maps is the favorite Google app, receiving 36.2% of the votes. Google Wallet followed with 18.2%, and Google Photos received 17.8%. Gmail garnered 10.3% of the votes, while Google Calendar received 8.3%. Google Meet received the least support, with only 2% of the votes.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Russian messaging app launched in Tanzania in Africa expansion drive

A Russian-developed messaging application called Max has been launched in Tanzania, offering integrated communication services such as text messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and online conferencing. The application has over 110 million registered users globally, with more than 80 million using it daily. Max is designed for a wide audience, including businesses and individuals, and features tools like group calls, news channels, and screen sharing. It is accessible in various regions, allowing users to register with local mobile numbers. The app utilizes NoLACE technology to improve communication quality in areas with poor connectivity.

BetaBeacon

May 28, 2026

‘When we started our studio, we were building the wrong games.’ Millions of Meta Quest owners are playing games like Ug VR every month, and they’re redefining VR as we once knew it

- Facebook bought Oculus in 2014 and rebranded to Meta in 2021 to become a metaverse leader. - VR gaming is evolving towards social and communication platforms. - The success of VR games is driven by community feedback and player involvement. - Social VR games are becoming more popular, with a focus on creating and sharing content on social media platforms. - Games like Scary Baboon blend familiar mechanics with horror elements and emphasize cooperative gameplay rather than competition.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Facebook Messenger Statistics By Country And Demographics (2026)

In the first quarter of 2026, Meta's Family of Apps, including Facebook Messenger, reported a revenue of USD 55.9 billion. Messenger's in-chat payment services facilitated nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions across 47 countries during the same quarter. The platform had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of Q1 2026, with the largest demographic segment being individuals aged 25-34. By October 2025, the Philippines and Vietnam achieved the highest global user reach for Messenger, at 83.3% and 78.1%, respectively. Southeast Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. Users typically spend nearly 13 minutes per session on the app, with 42.6% accessing it daily. Messenger messages have an 80% open rate within the first hour of delivery. Over 60 million businesses utilize Messenger for various purposes, and the platform supports more than 500,000 active chatbots, with 41% of these employing generative AI. Meta matched 100% of the electricity used across Facebook Messenger with clean, renewable energy in 2026. In Q1 2026, Meta’s Family of Apps generated USD 55.9 billion in revenue. Messenger's business messaging tools contributed USD 3.2 billion to non-advertising revenue in the first half of 2026. In-chat payment services processed nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions in 2026. Messenger had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users, equating to about 12% of the global population. As of October 2025, Messenger had nearly 942 million users globally. Users aged 25-34 comprised nearly 32% of Messenger's user base in 2026. By October 2025, 55.8% of Messenger users were men, while 43.5% were women. The highest user reach for Messenger was in the Philippines at 83.3% and in Vietnam at 78.1% as of October 2025. Southeast Asia had 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, making up 22.4% of the global total. Users spend about 198-201 minutes per month on the app and open it approximately 183.9 times each month. Each session lasts about 1 minute and 6 seconds. About 42.6% of users open the app daily. Messenger ads reached nearly 947 million users worldwide in 2026.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

European civil servants are being forced off WhatsApp

Apps like Signal and WhatsApp are recognized for their end-to-end encryption but are increasingly seen as inadequate for organizational communication due to their consumer-grade design. Benjamin Schilz, CEO of Wire, points out the risks of using such apps for professional purposes. Recent cybersecurity threats, including a Russian espionage campaign targeting these applications, highlight the importance of advanced features like access controls and metadata management, especially for large organizations. Belgium's De Waele advocates for controlled communication environments that include only government employees to mitigate risks. Transparency advocates have raised concerns about the privacy features of consumer apps obscuring important decision-making processes, as exemplified by a situation involving Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a vaccine deal. The re-election of former U.S. President Donald Trump has prompted a shift in priorities towards secure communication channels within European governments.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Samsung To Shut Down Messaging App July, Announces Alternative

Samsung is discontinuing its native messaging app, "Samsung Messages," on July 6, 2026, and is encouraging users to switch to Google Messages. This change aims to enhance user experience by providing access to advanced features such as Rich Communication Services (RCS) and AI-powered tools. Google Messages is already the default messaging app on many newer Galaxy smartphones. Local network providers will verify users' device information and phone numbers to enable Google services. Users can download Google Messages from the Google Play Store and set it as their default messaging app by following the provided prompts.

Winsage

April 4, 2026

WhatsApp Malware Campaign Uses VBS to Hijack Windows

Microsoft has identified a cyberattack campaign that uses WhatsApp messages to distribute malicious Visual Basic Script (VBS) files targeting Windows systems. First detected in late February 2026, the campaign employs social engineering to trick users into executing the VBS files, which then create hidden directories and disguise themselves as legitimate Windows utilities. The malware downloads additional payloads from cloud platforms like AWS, Tencent Cloud, and Backblaze B2 to establish persistence and escalate privileges. It can bypass User Account Control (UAC), alter registry settings, and install malicious MSI packages, including remote access tools like AnyDesk, to maintain continuous access for attackers.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

VK’s Max app passes 100 mln users

VK's messaging application, Max, has surpassed 100 million users. It has an average of 70 million daily active users who send over 1 billion messages and make around 28 million calls each day.

AppWizard

February 10, 2026

Telegram messaging app faces fines in Russia, state media report

Telegram faces potential fines of up to 64 million roubles (approximately [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In a significant development for the Telegram messaging platform, the company is poised to face potential fines totaling up to 64 million roubles (approximately [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: MOSCOW, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The Telegram messaging app faces fines of up ‌to 64 million roubles ($0.82 million) ‌in eight upcoming Russian court hearings, state news agency RIA reported on Tuesday, ⁠citing ‌court documents.It said the hearings were in ‍connection with alleged failures by Telegram to remove information required by Russian law.Telegram, founded ‌by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov, is a hugely important channel for private and public communications in and ⁠about Russia. Newsmakers of all kinds, including the Kremlin and the exiled opposition, ‍all ⁠use it constantly to distribute information instantly to ⁠a large audience.($1 = 77.3000 roubles)(Reporting ‌by Reuters; editing by ‌Mark Trevelyan)" temperature="0.3"].82 million) across eight forthcoming court hearings in Russia. This information was reported by the state news agency RIA, which referenced official court documents outlining the situation. Legal Challenges Ahead The upcoming hearings are centered around allegations that Telegram has not complied with Russian legal requirements to remove specific content. This situation underscores the ongoing tension between digital communication platforms and regulatory frameworks in Russia. Founded by Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur, Telegram has emerged as a vital tool for both private and public discourse within the country. Its role in facilitating communication is particularly pronounced among various stakeholders, including government entities and opposition groups. The platform serves as a crucial medium for disseminating information rapidly to a broad audience, making it an essential player in the landscape of Russian media. As the hearings approach, the implications for Telegram could be significant, not only in terms of financial penalties but also regarding its operational dynamics within Russia's complex regulatory environment. " max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.7" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].82 million) in eight upcoming court hearings in Russia due to alleged failures to remove content as required by Russian law. The hearings are based on information reported by the state news agency RIA, citing official court documents. Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov, is a key platform for private and public communications in Russia, used by various stakeholders including the Kremlin and opposition groups.

AppWizard

December 5, 2025

Banned and blocked. Russia says good-bye to messaging apps

Russia's censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, has banned several popular communication platforms, including Snapchat, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, citing their use in organizing terrorist acts, recruiting criminals, and committing fraud. The ban on WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app in Russia, is expected to have significant implications. This decision follows a pattern of increasing digital restrictions, with other services such as Facebook, Instagram, Signal, Viber, and Google Meet also being blocked. Russian authorities are promoting a national messaging app called Max, which is set to become mandatory in public sectors by January 1, 2026. Max will require full access to users' devices and will collect telemetry and metadata, raising privacy concerns due to its integration with government systems.