NEW YORK and DELTA, British Columbia, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Investorideas.com, a global news source and leading investor resource covering tech stocks releases a sector snapshot looking at messaging app stocks.
According to Business Insider ‘THE MESSAGING APPS REPORT: How brands, businesses, and publishers can capitalize on the rising tide of messaging platforms’, “The combined total monthly active user (MAU) count of the top 4 messaging apps has grown to 4.1 billion in 2018, with the top three messaging apps touting user bases of 1 billion or more.”
It also goes on to say, “Not only are these consumer products drawing in more users, but they're effectively increasing the time consumers are spending within messaging apps. The average daily time US consumers spent in a messaging app in 2017 was 10 minutes, up 15.2% from 8 minutes in 2016, according to eMarketer. That 10 minutes is expected to grow to 11 this year, and 12 in 2019."
“This large and engaged consumer base is a prime market for businesses and publishers to target, particularly as social media networks like Facebook become more difficult to leverage. In order to capitalize on this opportunity, messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WeChat have developed a range of tools, from chatbots to payments methods, that businesses and publishers can use to reach and monetize consumers.”
The market has some clear leaders with Tencent Holdings Limited (TCHY) and its WeChat app, the WhatsApp messaging app that Facebook bought for $19 billion in 2014 and Snapchat. Apple has iMessage and just recently, Yahoo announced the launch of a new messaging App, Yahoo Together; and now Samsung and Google are collaborating to create a new messaging app for Android.
So, with such big players in the market how does a smaller company like Upco International Inc. (CSE: UPCO.CN) (OTCQB: UCCPF) (FSE: U06) compete? With great technology and a specific target market to penetrate, they say in recent press releases.
According to news from the company, “Our product supports sending and receiving the complete package of media (text, photos, videos, documents), as well as location and voice calls. Our messages and calls are secured with end-to-end encryption. Additionally, our users' data is not interfered with in any way, or collected for subsequent use of personal identification information, other than for regulatory purposes and account management.”
Also from the news, CEO Andrea Pagani stated, "We want to do one thing, which is communicate, and do that very well. WhatsApp has a stronger presence in the Western market. WeChat dominates in China. Our goal is to dominate the European market with a plan for global expansion."
How much does WeChat dominate in China? A recent article in Jing Daily says, “Since 2015! It has continued to grow and by 2017, the number of WeChat MAU reached 980 million, 30 percent higher than the 751 million China’s internet users.”
In terms of shopping and transactions the article reports, “In Q2 2018, the transaction volume on WeChat shop keeps growing at a 134 percent quarterly increase rate.”
Snapchat wants your transactions as well and is now in the shopping game. They announced September 24th, “Beginning this week, we're testing a new way to search for products on Amazon right from the Snapchat camera. We'll be rolling it out slowly, but we wanted to announce it to everyone at the same time.”
They go on to say, “It's super easy to use. Simply point your Snapchat camera at a physical product or barcode, and press and hold on the camera screen to get started. When the item or barcode is recognized, an Amazon card will appear on-screen, surfacing a link for that product or similar ones available on Amazon. Tap your selection to visit the Amazon App (if you have it installed on your phone) or Amazon.com, where you can complete your purchase or keep browsing.”
“Snapchat has always been the fastest way to communicate, and now it's the fastest way to shop!”
Upco International Inc. (CSE: UPCO.CN) (OTCQB: UCCPF) (FSE: U06) also sees the future of their app in money. They recently announced the Upco App is available for download on Apple App Store for iOS and Google play store for Android and report some of its features include; “Cashless technology (eWallet): We are working to enhance the security and unlock the barrier of money transfer improving the economy among others in developing countries.”
They also say, “The Upco users will be able to transfer funds to other Upco users without additional costs. Also they will be able to transfer cash funds to regulated banks and cash pick up outlets. The receiver can collect the funds in local currencies.”
Building on their payment technology capabilities, Upco announced on October 2nd, “It has commenced development of the interface between Emoney and the Upco application, regarding user authentication and transaction / account management. This is an important early step in deployment of a full-featured mobile payment and transfer application, encompassing both Fiat and Cryptocurrencies, within our E-wallet. Details regarding this innovative offering, which is in the advanced design stage, will be addressed in future news releases.”
About Upco International Inc. (CSE: UPCO) (OTCQB: UCCPF) (FSE: U06)
Upco International Inc. is a cloud-based mobile service company which provides high-quality voice termination to a market driven by the growing activity in online communications and commerce. Upco is a licensed Global Telecom Carrier within the international VoIP (voice over IP) wholesale business. Upco has designed a software application for Apple iOS and Android, similar to SKYPE and WhatsApp. With the forthcoming addition of the Upco E-Wallet using Blockchain Payment Services, users will be able to: send invoices, approve payments, transfer international funds, convert international currencies, and track transfers and payments. www.upcointernational.com
Read more at https://www.stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2018/10/09/a-look-at-messaging-app-stocks-upco-international-inc-cse-upco-cn-otcqb-uccpf#gWcr9HK9yGyuqUxZ.99