Facebook bets big on mobile with Sh1.6 trillion WhatsApp deal

Facebook is betting huge on mobile with an eye-popping cash-and-stock deal worth up to Sh1.6 trillion ($19 billion) for Internet Age smartphone messaging service WhatsApp.

The surprise mega-deal announced Wednesday bolsters the world's biggest social network -- which has more than 1.2 billion members -- with the 450-million-strong WhatsApp, which will be operated independently with its own board.

It fits with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's focus on being at the centre of lifestyles in which billions of people around the world share whatever they wish over the Internet using smartphones or tablets.

"Facebook works harder than any other social site to keep people coming back," said Forrester analyst Nate Elliott.

"In the past year, they've focused much of that effort on mobile -- introducing Home and Paper, and upgrading both their Facebook and Messenger apps -- and this is another step towards keeping people engaged no matter where they are."

Facebook promised that WhatsApp would remain independent and said it served a real-time communication need, while Messenger was used more in the style of email between members of the social network.

WhatsApp is ideally suited to young people who increasingly prefer rapid-fire smartphone messaging to making calls or churning out email. Facebook has been eager to keep the devotion of young users who set trends and carry tech habits into the future.

It is Facebook's biggest acquisition and comes less than two years after the California-based Internet star raised Sh1.37 trillion ($16 billion) in the richest tech sector public stock offering.

Zuckerberg said that WhatsApp -- a cross-platform mobile app that allows users to exchange messages without having to pay telecom charges -- was worth the steep price because its blistering growth around the globe has it on a clear path to hit a billion users and beyond.

"Services with a billion people using them are all incredibly valuable," Zuckerberg said while discussing the purchase price during a conference call with analysts.

The deal came from a chat Zuckerberg had with WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, whom he described as a "valuable thought partner" and friend of many years.

"Last Sunday evening, about 11 days ago, I proposed if we joined together that would help us really connect the rest of the world," Zuckerberg said.

"He thought about it over the course of the week, came back and said he was interested."

Silicon Valley-based WhatsApp started the year with 50 employees, most of them engineers, and the startup said that all of its stakeholders have approved the take-over.

The purchase includes $12 billion in Facebook shares and $4 billion in cash. It calls for an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp founders and employees that will vest over four years.

- 'Powerful capabilities' -

Koum, who joins Facebook's board under the deal, said: "WhatsApp's extremely high user engagement and rapid growth are driven by the simple, powerful and instantaneous messaging capabilities we provide."

The tie-up gives WhatsApp "the flexibility to grow and expand," he added.

Zuckerberg and Koum, who both took part in the conference call, did not discuss details about WhatsApp revenue, saying the focus for the foreseeable future would be on growth, not making money.

WhatsApp software is available for free, but after a year, users are asked to pay annual subscriptions of 99 cents each.

- Bubble fears -

The acquisition represents likely the biggest-ever price for a tech startup, trumping the Sh731 billion ($8.5 billion) paid for Skype -- which allows users to make voice and video calls over the Internet -- by Microsoft in 2011.

"The size of this deal is really massive and it will get people talking about a bubble," Greg Sterling at Opus Research told AFP.

Sterling said the deal is a risk for Facebook because "in social media, you have a flavour of the month, and next year we might have another app with extremely rapid growth."

"I think (the high price tag) comes from the frustration of not being able to buy Snapchat, and then there is the youth factor," Sterling added.

It remained unclear how Facebook planned to eventually make money from WhatsApp.

Roger Kay at Endpoint Technologies said WhatsApp has become one of the most popular mobile applications worldwide "because it allows you to message anybody anywhere for free."

"It's not obvious how they can get $12 billion out of this but it's been clear for a while that WhatsApp is very interesting. It reminds me a little bit of Skype," Kay said

8 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Date a Journalist

Someone very sexy once told me, "Journalism is a sexy profession."
Indeed, it is.
We interview good looking people, we drink expensive champagne, we get to stay "two nights and three days" in luxurious island resorts and we get it all for free. Sexy (and smug) on all grounds, damn straight!
While it's bursting off its seams with sexiness, there's also a very dangerous side to journalism that very few are aware of. Well, apart from all the sleepless nights from unforgiving deadlines that make them crazy delirious, there's another alarming factor.
There are many reasons why journalists make the best partner one can ever have; but there are also reasons why they can be your absolute nightmare. Taking optimism by its balls, I'm here to talk you through -- and warn you -- of the latter.

1. They will make money off your life: Not the gold digger way, absolutely not. Sure they earn peanuts for 70-hour working weeks, but they'll never date you for the money. If you do end up with someone who doesn't write about finance or sports all day, aspects of your life will appear in a newspaper, magazine or website. Your height, profession or skin color might be altered, otherwise it's you. And on most occasions, you won't be asked for permission, because they will counteract your argument by calling their article a piece of 'fictional' writing that's 'inspired by real events'. What, you think Bridget Jones was all pulled out of a donkey's arse? Don't stress though, this just means you are interesting enough to have left an impact in their life -- congratulations!
2. Deadlines > Sex: One pays and the other doesn't (unless you're Belle de Jour), need I say more? Pulling an all-nighter for a hot date with MS Word and an avalanche of scribbled paperwork is much more lucrative than a sweaty session on your black satin sheets. Because someone needs to pay for those sheets, and that free bottle of Moët from a press event, sitting on the kitchen cabinet will definitely not do that. Sorry, but not sorry.
3. They are ridiculously observant: They know when you're lying, when you're speaking from your heart and when you're goddam bored. They're trained to sense the tone of an interviewee through the phone -- they're like guard dogs at an airport -- so never think you've said or done something that's gone under the table. Chances are, it'll come back to haunt you about four months and 18 days later, with a proper reference to the original scenario. Plus, some journos even come with photographic memory -- that's a whole new level of freak show!
4. They will remember your words: Whether you say it in writing or over the phone, journos don't forget words. They will remember whatever you say -- in lust or disgust -- and remind you of it. They are programmed to remember events and interviews, so to do follow-up stories, and they are fast-learners (hence amazing at their job), so be careful with what comes out of your mouth around these fellas. And while you're at it, know that they can manipulate the thesaurus a little too well; they will say words that mean one thing on face value and a crazy level of WTF when really read into.
5. They will correct your grammar and spellings, all the time: A snobby trait that is really difficult to let go of -- journalists are trained writers and English language is part of their DNA. Ensure your punctuations and spellings are under a vigil eye when you text or email them, because they will pick it within seconds, and won't be afraid to correct you. On the flip side, they will be the first ones to notice if your vocabulary is better than theirs, and just quietly, that's a big turn-on!
6. They are social media addicts: Just like your spreadsheet dramas at midnight, being constantly on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest is part of their job. Being a "social media expert" does not equal "liking" Mean Girls memes on Facebook (don't ever say that to them, for the sake of your pretty nose). This job is rather tedious and stressful. If you don't understand terms like SEO, boost post, organic reach and retweets -- it's best you stay shut, or walk away.
7. They will be picky with the bar or restaurant you choose: Journos are a little bit smug when it comes to where you take them out, especially if you end up with a lifestyle or travel journalist. If you take them for a kebab at that corner shop or Starbucks for a coffee date (eeeek!), forget about date #2. You don't have to go all Michelin star on them, but show that you made an effort in researching the venue; a quick search on Time Out is all they ask.
8. They need their me-time: Due to all the small-talk with colleagues and clients at work events, journalists are suckers for moments of isolation. That much-needed time to clear their headspace and filter the army of thoughts doing the dance of agony. When they come back to the "real" world, they want to be left alone, preferably by the beach or a lake, sans any technological device. This is their time to recharge and come back with more story ideas and intellectually stimulating conversations. No amount of cuddles or spooning can replace this.

If you can handle all this, in addition to the stained cups of tea, half-eaten pieces of toast, a big pile of books and magazines on their bedside table and more bad-hair days than good, then... call me!
Ha ha. Totally kidding.
Go find yourself a journalist; it's a sexy profession aka they are sexy. A jackpot is staring at you in the face.

Mara ‘best Valentine getaway’

A leading travel website has recommended the Maasai Mara Game Reserve as one of the world’s top Valentine getaway destinations.

JoGuru, the travel website describes it as “the first step any one should take before taking a vacation”. It says that the Maasai Mara provides a “wild getaway” where all one needs is to “charge a camera and grab a hat this Valentine to treat oneself”.

It states: “Check in at the Maasai Mara National Reserve Park, spot the Big Five and have an African experience to call your own”.

Czech republic’s Prague, Croatia’s Dubrovnik, Canada’s Montreal, New York City, Bali (Indonesia), Jamaica, Victor Harbour in Australia, Agra in India and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) also featured among the most preferred getaway spots where one is assured of an experience of a life time.

Without mentioning any specific establishment, the Indian based travel website said Kenya was endowed with multiple world class exclusive resorts where one can enjoy a peaceful ‘‘wild’’ weekend in the most serene environment in the world.

And on Prague, the capital of the Czech republic, the website said: “Nothing says ‘I love you’ better than a romantic weekend in a European capital — Prague with its many romantic hotels and then set out into the city with your beloved. A walk across the Gothic bridge, a ride in the boat and some local booze, will make you fall in love all over again — with your Valentine and the city.”

IDEAL GETAWAY

Croatia which has produced some of the world’s best lawn tennis players is said to be an ideal getaway for anyone looking for some “quality couple time”.

Its highlights are listed as; its clean beaches, locally squeezed wines and its ageless Old Town that provides a beautiful city “which has romance spilling out from every nook and cranny, making a Valentine weekend all the more special”.

The site also ranked Canada’s Montreal city as arguably the most under-rated romantic city on Earth.

“Montreal is a treasure-chest for couples looking to maintain or rekindle their romance. Kick-start the occasion with a French-Canadian candlelight dinner and a carriage ride through the old city. Plan a sunset cruise or go ice skating,” it said.

Though a great and famous city, the report mourns that the romantic appeal of New York City is overshadowed by the hustle-bustle that dictates the city’s life. It said the city has panoramic views from ‘Top of the Rock’ or the Empire State Building that re-create some iconic scenes from many ‘a-romcoms’ (romantic soap operas).

“Round off your day on a musical note by strolling down to the Ambassador Theatre for a Broadway show and remember there is just so much to see in NYC that one weekend getaway will not do it justice but on this occasion (Valentine) it is not the place but the person that matters,” its authors said.

Despite the unfortunate incident in which over 200 tourists died in a disco hall, Bali city in Indonesia is featured at Number 5. It is described as a star-struck city where movies are made.

Reggae-music mad Kingston city in Jamaica comes at number six for its secluded resorts inside forests where one can while away the day watching birds.

“Going on a historic tour will grow on one like a second skin,” the site said.

Victor Harbour in Australia is famous for Penguin spotting while India’s Agra city is the home of the world famous Taj Mahal Hotel, a symbol of eternal love.

Rio de Janeiro closes in the best top 10 destinations where a tour on Valentine Day is described as ‘sensual’ with its streets alive with the rhythm of samba drums.

JoGuru website helps travellers plan itineraries and search for interesting places to visit.

It also helps tourists to find and book the best hotels and travel experiences worldwide.