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WhatsApp blending group messaging into social networking

Bottom line: Teens and young adults are increasingly using WhatsApp not only for traditional messaging, but also for the more general and long-term "staying in touch," including sharing status updates and pictures, that has traditionally been the heart and soul of social networking on Facebook.

WhatsApp's success appears to signal a shift in social networking, from networking with big and open social networks to networking with closed groups. These groups are different from traditional message groups -- the groups last longer, they have names, and people enter and leave more dynamically....

Read the full article on the SeekingAlpha site here:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1719552-whatsapps-quiet-move-into-social-networking-and-why-facebook-should-worry 

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