OT: My guess is there's a lot, but they key isn't just getting non-overlapping users - it's getting users of one to use it within the same interface. I use FB and WhatsApp, but they're unrelated. Just because I have a friend on FB doesn't mean I can reach them on WhatsApp, and even when they too use both, they're separate interfaces. FB can now say, "we've acquired more users, but we've also integrated into one application" (when and if they move to do this). It helps keep that critical mass of your friends in one place that is hard to replicate. Some others have posted (correctly) that it's easy to jump to other platforms if FB/WhatsApp becomes unappealing, however, it's not easy to jump to another platform with as many users. That's the real benefit to them.
That said, I still can't see how it's worth what they paid. I think FB is moving towards a paid-subscription (free + upgrade version) model because of their failure to boost revenue per user substantially, so this combo would be in line with that, but there's no way it's going to generate even half what they paid. I suspect investors will punish FB stock as this is recognized.
Speaking of stock... pretty hard fall for AAPL this week, and looks like it is accelerating. Wondering if it will close below 520 today on its way to 500 again. They really need to release one of these new rumored devices yesterday! |
