UPDATED 07:51 EDT / DECEMBER 05 2012

WhatsApp Off The Market. Who Else Could Facebook Buy?

Rumors surfaced that Facebook is looking to buy messaging platform WhatsApp, but that story was quickly denied by the SMS-alternative company, stating that there is no truth to the reports.

“The reported story is a rumor and not factually accurate. We have no further information to share at the moment,” WhatsApp said in a statement.

Though the rumors were denied, it doesn’t mean that Facebook is not actually buying an SMS alternative company.  In the midst of WhatsApp rumor talk, Facebook quietly rolled out an update to its Messenger app, opening it to non-users.  The move indicates Facebook is still interested in developing an SMS alternative of its own, and the acquisition of a WhatsApp rival may expedite Facebook’s efforts.

If WhatsApp is out of the market, who else can Facebook acquire to fortify their mobile initiatives?

InstaMessage

This messaging app lets Instagram users talk to other Instagram users privately.  The great thing is that you don’t need to sign up for anything, as you only need to use your Instagram account to start chatting with people and celebrities, discover other InstaMessage users nearby, browse profiles as well as block other InstaMessage users from seeing your profile.

Since Instagram is already owned by Facebook, what better way than to acquire something that already works well with one of their services?

Kik Messenger

This free messaging app is available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Ovi and BlackBerry smartphones.  Kik now boasts of 30 million users, and claims that they are adding as much as 100,000 users per day.  A large user base has attracted Facebook for other recent acquisitions, so Kik’s high numbers and broad platform integration could put it on Facebook’s list.

Viber

This free messaging app allows users to send texts, call, send photos as well as share user’s location to their contacts via WiFi or 3G.  Users do not need to register, as a user’s phone number serves as his Viber ID.  Also, contacts need not be exported since it uses your existing contacts sheet on your mobile device.  It is available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Ovi, BlackBerry and Bada.

Voxer

This is a cool app that turns your device into a Walkie Talkie as well as allow users to send messages, photos as well as make a call using the app, and group chat.  It’s already integrated with Facebook so if the social giant does acquire Voxer, it would be a relatively seamless transition.  It is available for iOS and Android.


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