PHOTOS: Facebook buys mobile messaging service WhatsApp for $19 Billion
February 24, 2014
The two logos of Facebook (L) and Whatsapp pictured on the screen of a smartphone in Sieversdorf, Germany, 19 February 2014. Facebook announced on 19 February that it acquired the globally popular messaging system WhatsApp for 19 billion US dollar. Facebook paid 12 billion US dollar in shares and four billion US dollar in cash. The deal includes an additional three billion US dollar in Facebook stock for WhatsApp founders and employees. The deal should close later in 2014 and is still subject to regulatory approval, according to Facebook founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg, who said in the conference call that he did not expect any issues. Additionally, WhatsApp co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jan Koum will join the Facebook Board of Directors. EPA/PATRICK PLEUL ( GERMANY FACEBOOK WHATSAPP )
Facebook, 29-year-old billionaire founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg (R) speaks on the opening day of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, on February 24, 2014. Fresh from a $19-billion (14-billion-euro) takeover by Facebook, mobile messaging service WhatsApp said today it will launch free voice calls by mid-year. Zuckerberg was the star speaker today of the industry fair, had announced a stock and cash purchase of WhatsApp last Wednesday of $19 billion (14-billion-euro). JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527456424 )
WhatsApp message app's co-founder, Jan Koum, displays his personal mobile phone as he takes part in a debate held in the sidelines of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, northeastern Spain, 24 February 2014. Koum announced WhatsApp will introduce voice calls in the year's second quarter. Mobile World Congress, the world's most important exhibition in the mobile industry, will gather from 24 to 27 February around 1,700 exhibitors from 205 countries from around the world. EPA/ALBERTO ESTEVEZ ( SPAIN TELECOMMUNCATIONS MOBILE WORLD )
Several people attend a speech by WhatsApp message app's co-founder, Jan Koum (unseen), during a debate held in the sidelines of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, northeastern Spain, 24 February 2014. Koum announced WhatsApp will introduce voice calls in the year's second quarter. Mobile World Congress, the world's most important exhibition in the mobile industry, will gather from 24 to 27 February around 1,700 exhibitors from 205 countries from around the world. EPA/ALBERTO ESTEVEZ ( SPAIN TELECOMMUNCATIONS MOBILE WORLD )
Visitors follow on a huge display Facebook's 29-year-old billionaire creator Mark Zuckerberg speaking on the opening day of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, on February 24, 2014. Fresh from a $19-billion (14-billion-euro) takeover by Facebook, mobile messaging service WhatsApp said today it will launch free voice calls by mid-year. Zuckerberg was the star speaker today of the industry fair, had announced a stock and cash purchase of WhatsApp last Wednesday of $19 billion (14-billion-euro). QUIQUE GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images ( 527457661 )
A news ticker announces shares of Facebook are declining after the company announced it's acquisition for WhatsApp, on Times Square in New York, February 20, 2014. Facebook announced its largest acquisition ever, saying it would pay at least USD16 billion for WhatsApp, a text messaging application with 450 million users around the world who pay little or no money for it. The ultimate cost of the deal could rise to USD19 billion, with WhatsApp employees and founders receiving an additional USD 3 billion in restricted stock units. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images ( 527304860 )
This May 17, 2012 file photo shows a Facebook logo seen through the windows of the NASDAQ stock exchange as people walk by on Times Square in New York. Facebook said February 19, 2014 it was buying the fast-growing mobile messaging service WhatsApp in a deal worth an eye-popping $19 billion, expanding the global footprint of the social networking giant. The mega-deal bolsters the world's biggest social network -- which has more than 1.2 billion members -- with the 450-million-strong WhatsApp, which will be operated independently with its own board. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images ( 527273073 )
Co-founder and CEO of Whatsapp Jan Koum speaks during a press conference during the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 24, 2014 The Mobile World Congress runs from the 24 to 27 February where participants and visitors alike can attend conferences, network, discover cutting-edge products and technologies at among the 1,700 exhibitors as well as seek industry opportunities and make deals. LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images ( 527449885 )
Visitors attend a Whatsapp CEO Jan Koum Keynote conference as part of the first day of the Mobile World Congress 2013 at the Fira Gran Via complex on February 24, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. The annual Mobile World Congress hosts some of the world's largest communication companies, with many unveiling their latest phones and gadgets. The show runs from February 24 - February 27. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) ( 474626603 )
Co-founder and CEO of Whatsapp Jan Koum speaks during a conference at the Mobile World Congress, the world's largest mobile phone trade show in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. Expected highlights include major product launches from Samsung and other phone makers, along with a keynote address by Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) ( Spain Wireless Show )
A file picture dated 28 November 2013 shows a man using the social networking site Facebook on his phone in a cafe in Hanoi, Vietnam. Facebook announced on 19 February 2014 that it will buy messaging service WhatsApp for 19 billion dollars. EPA/LUONG THAI LINH ( FILES VIETNAM FACEBOOK WHATS APP )
Logo of WhatsApp, the popular messaging service bought by Facebook for USD $19 billion, seen on a smartphone February 20, 2014 in New York. Facebook's deal for the red-hot mobile messaging service WhatsApp is a savvy strategic move for the world's biggest social network, even if the price tag is staggeringly high, analysts say. STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images ( 527303811 )
The Facebook and WhatsApp app icons are displayed on an iPhone in New York, New York 20 February 2014. Facebook announced that it acquired the globally popular messaging system WhatsApp for 19 billion dollars. Facebook paid 12 billion dollars in shares and 4 billion dollars in cash, it was explained in a conference call. The deal includes an additional 3 billion dollars in Facebook stock for WhatsApp founders and employees. The deal should close later in 2014 and is still subject to regulatory approval, according to Facebook founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg, who said in the conference call that he did not expect any issues. Additionally, WhatsApp co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jan Koum will join the Facebook Board of Directors. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT ( USA ECONOMY WHATSAPP FACEBOOK )
This May 10, 2012 file photo shows a view of Facebook's logo in Washington, DC. Facebook said February 19, 2014 it was buying the fast-growing mobile messaging service WhatsApp in a deal worth an eye-popping $19 billion, expanding the global footprint of the social networking giant. The mega-deal bolsters the world's biggest social network -- which has more than 1.2 billion members -- with the 450-million-strong WhatsApp, which will be operated independently with its own board. AFP PHOTO / Brendan SMIALOWSKI ( 527273089 )
A file picture dated 20 January 2014 shows Jan Koum, founder of messaging service WhatsApp, speaking during the Digital Life Design conference in Munich, Germany, 20 January 2014. Facebook announced on 19 February 2014 that it will buy messaging service WhatsApp for 19 billion dollars. EPA/MARC MUELLER ( FILES GERMANY FACEBOOK WHATS APP )
Whatsapp CEo Jan Koum during a Keynote conference as part of the first day of the Mobile World Congress 2013 at the Fira Gran Via complex on February 24, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. The annual Mobile World Congress hosts some of the world's largest communication companies, with many unveiling their latest phones and gadgets. The show runs from February 24 - February 27. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) ( 474606865 )
Whatsapp CEO Jan Koum arrives for a Keynote conference as part of the first day of the Mobile World Congress 2014 at the Fira Gran Via complex on February 24, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. The annual Mobile World Congress hosts some of the world's largest communication companies, with many unveiling their latest phones and gadgets. The show runs from February 24 - February 27. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) ( 474608193 )
Categories: News, Science and Technology, Syndicated
Tags: photo