When Facebook bought WhatsApp for $19 billion last month, the news was met with scratched heads and raised eyebrows from many corners of the tech industry. All due respect, though. Back in February 2009, not even its founders would have dared imagine a fifth birthday celebration of such magnitude. So props to WhatsApp. But $19 billion? Really?
If Facebook is to dominate these markets in the manner to which it's grown accustomed, WhatsApp might just hold the key. Exactly where this startup-turned-upstart will be by the time it turns six is anyone's guess, but one thing's for sure: if you hadn't heard of WhatsApp before last week, you have now.