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Messaging app Tango steps into social network status with new photo filters and 100M users

tango
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tango, a mobile social networking app, announced today that it hit its 100 million user milestone, and to celebrate the occasion the company has announced a set of new features across platforms.

Tango, which started out as a video app, isn’t ready to settle as a video messaging platform. Text messaging was added back in July and the app has a tab dedicated to extra features like games, animations, and even eCards. If you take a look at apps like Kakao Talk, Nimbuzz, and LINE you can spot the obvious similarities.

With talk about messaging apps as the next big tech sensation, and Facebook trying desperately to win the affection of its users to adopt its messaging platform, Tango has comparatively been flying under the radar. 100 million users isn’t a small achievement either. LINE and Nimbuzz are sitting strong with over 100 million users. WeChat has 200 million users, and Kakao Talk lags behind with 70 million users, at last count. 

Like its competition, Tango is trying to pivot itself as an “all in one” social networking – one that just happens to focus on messaging.

Starting today, the app will add the classic game Reversi to its existing library of six games. Unlike its competitors that require you to download additional apps and can only be played outside of the main app, Tango is unique since these games can be played during video calls. With in-calling activities being one of Tango’s bragging rights, the app starting today will also offer the option to show your friends some in-call animations.

A social network wouldn’t be complete without photos and photo editing. To hop on the trend, Tango has partnered with Aviary so that iPhone users can spruce up photos with some help from filters.

As for design updates, the iPad version of the app is now optimized to fit the native resolution of the tablet. The in-app video call screens will also get a size bump. Finally, Tango adds that the “design will also surface all of the content available on Tango that can be used during calls and texts that make any communication more fun and memorable.”

“I’m proud that Tango’s vision of blending communication with engaging content for the mobile space has surpassed this great milestone,” says Uri Raz, CEO of Tango. “By including great features like games, music, animations, avatars, eCards, and photo editing, Tango has truly transformed into a true social networking app and content platform, changing the way people all over the world interact.”

Francis Bea
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Francis got his first taste of the tech industry in a failed attempt at a startup during his time as a student at the…
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