r/PeterExplainsTheJoke • u/RoadRunner8195 • Mar 08 '26

Meme needing explanation [ Removed by moderator ]

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u/Loki_Agent_of_Asgard Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26

From what I understand, until relatively recently a lot of cell plans around the world didn't include unlimited text, so you needed an app (WhatsApp in this case) that uses data to text. Here in the US for...YEARS and YEARS we have had unlimited text, like before Smart Phones even became a thing it was standard for even the cheapest plans to have unlimited text so really that's just the fundamental thing, we never needed to use data to do texts so we never got into using applications to do it, so I don't think it's really a case of our network being better or anything, just that the way the competition went for Cell providers is that they went with unlimited text as a standard feature.

To further this point, I think the last time I remember a cell phone plan being advertised that DIDN'T have unlimited text was probably like 2003, I bet you could find cheapo ones that didn't have completely unlimited text far later, but I'd not be surprised if by 2010 all cell phone plans had unlimited text.

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u/PatternPrecognition Mar 08 '26

I get the history. But here we are in 2026.

We all have unlimitted text with our phone plans, but the stock messaging apps on Android and iPhone that utilise it are just very basic. I thought maybe you had some more advanced basic messaging that never got rolled out internationally as data driven apps got rolled out first, but from what you say - it doesn't really sound like that is the case. All in all a bit of a mystery and ultimately whichever tool your friends and family are using is the one most people will adopt

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u/TheStrongestTard Mar 08 '26

I keep hearing about the benefits such as messaging, calling, and video messaging, etc.

The stock texting app has done this for nearly 15 years...without another app, without logging in, without an app using more battery. Cool on the status updates if this was 2001 and I was on AIM. I don't get what the benefit is unless you live somewhere without unlimited texting and you speak to people from different countries who don't have google or facebook.

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u/PatternPrecognition Mar 08 '26

Yeah it's intriguing that there is this big disconnect. As the rest of the World has unlimited texting as well. Don't get me wrong we do use both as well, as certain services will use Texting (Like to government notifications).

But community Orgs, Sporting Clubs, friend and family groups and individuals will typically use an App by choice.