A Throwback to the Messaging Platforms We Grew Up With

If you didn’t use Yahoo Messenger, oh my, I think I’m old, but if you do, well, do you still remember your favorite features in YM, and is your back already aching like mine? Anyway, we will talk about previous messaging apps that we loved. Some are already gone, and some are still running. Let’s find out which is which. 

Yahoo Messenger: The First Messaging App I Ever Used

From Wikipedia

Let me share a little bit about my personal experience with these messaging apps that I practically grew up with. I was in elementary when I learned about Yahoo Messenger, one of my classmates taught me to navigate it and use it. Clearly, she taught me how to use it so we can gossip after class at home. 

Launched in 1998, it’s still clear in my mind my first ever video call with that classmate, using a Winnie the Pooh designed webcam, a big headphone with a mic in it in my box type computer with a big CPU, keyboard, and a mouse in our living room. 

Those were the days! The YM emojis are one of my favorite features, file sharing, photo sharing, stickers, and you can know the status of the person you are messaging with its “Busy”, “Invisible”,  and “Be Right Back” status. Yahoo Messenger shut down in July 2018.

Then I Learned Skype

Eventually,  I upgraded to a Macbook (2009) model that has a built-in camera, though the resolution is not similar to the Macbook we have today. I was already using Skype by then. Skype launched in 2003, and it felt more kinda grown-up using it because mostly its use for businesses. I still used a headset but it had evolved into wired earphones with a mic in already. Skype became a go-to  messaging app for many people because it's easy to use and you can make video calls with your classmates because it has a conference feature. Sadly, last May in our current year Skype already stopped their operations. 

Friendster to Facebook 

Did you have a friendster or do you know friendster? This is the OG social media platform for many of us before Facebook. 

Launched in 2002, Friendster is one of the first social media networking sites in the world. Just like Facebook, you can create a profile, upload photos, post testimonials,(like sharing a public message for your friends), and rank your top connections.

Although it doesn’t have any built-in messaging, voice and video call feature you can actually send private messages and communicate through comments. Friendster shut down as a social media site in 2011, and in the same year Facebook  Messenger was launched as a stand-alone app for communication. 

The Current Messaging App We Have Today

Today, it's not just emojis or stickers anymore. We now have apps that have a capability to do video calls, voice calls, voice message, group chats, stickers, reactions and more are all built in. Aside from Facebook Messenger, other apps like Viber, Telegram, Whatsapp, and Discord became the go-to applications for communication–whether it's your family, friends, gaming team, or your co-workers. 

And to keep up for today’s face-paced digital life you’ll need a reliable smart phone. Thankfully, we have affordable but powerful phones here at the Next Upgrade Shop like the Samsung 6.7'' Galaxy A26 5G, priced at ₱17,699. This smart phone can easily run messaging apps like Messenger or Viber, it has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage with a 6.7” display. Ideal for chatting, video calling, streaming, or gaming. 

Courtesy Next Upgrade Shop

Even though the messaging platforms we once loved are already gone, it surely gave us something unforgettable–memories we once shared with our family and friends. So, what messaging platforms are you missing?