The major telecommunications operators continue to work on the commercial dissemination of Joyn, the instant messaging platform promoted by telephone companies to rival the world's leading messaging app, WhatsAppJoyn is really an app that offers little to nothing to talk about, and with so many messaging apps on Google Play, the truth is there's little operators can do to make us stick to their offerings. Well, in their efforts to gain users and overthrow the dreaded WhatsApp, Movistar launches Joyn, Vodafone and Orange will include the application Joyn as standard on all your mobiles from April.
With Joyn, we can communicate with the contacts in our address book in many different ways. You can talk, chat and share videos, photos, or files. Plus, it integrates very well with Google Contacts, which will help it gain users very quickly. Does this sound familiar? Indeed, it does, and it works exactly the same as other more popular apps like WhatsApp, LINE o ViberI think the big app is late to the market, and no matter how hard they try, it will be difficult for it to become the new WhatsApp for smartphone users.
According to the big phone companies, they play with the point in favor that Joyn provides greater security, given the support it has from operators, although the truth is that the application was initially available on Google Play for quite some time for customers of the main operators, a failure from my point of view, since the fact that the user cannot use it to communicate with customers of other companies is a point against opting for installing the app. And it is not only the owners of iPhone, BlackBerry or phones with Windows Phone, but also They left out millions of customers that belong to Yoigo or other virtual operators.
We now know that, starting in April, smartphones that are marketed by Movistar, Vodafone and Orange will carry Joyn pre-installed as standard in an attempt to expand its use and popularity, but the reality is that it will continue to have the aforementioned barriers and that they become definitive when choosing a messaging application as the default in daily use.
What is joyn (RCS) and what does it promise?
Joyn is the trademark of the standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) driven by GSMAThe idea is to offer rich communications integrated into the mobile line: chat, messaging and calls with image or video exchange in a private and secure way, regardless of the network or device of the interlocutor, as long as both use Joyn/RCS.
The joyn brand works as certification: Devices and clients must pass interoperability tests and a process of homologation that guarantees quality, privacy, security and a consistent experience. This approach, supported by the GSMA and operators, seeks to give users the confidence. that they associate with their operator's service.
Key Features and Network Support
Joyn allows customers participate in chats, Send posts and carry out rich calls with simultaneous sharing of images or videos. The platform is ready to expand with VoIP y IP video calls as natural evolutions of the standard.
A relevant point is that it can be used both in the mobile networks of operators as in Wi‑Fi networks, with no changes for the user. The system "knows and displays" in real time what enhanced options are available for each contact, simplifying use without the need to configure external services.
Compatibility, availability and integrated phones
Initially, Joyn volunteered to Android, having a iPhone version planned progressively. In addition to being downloadable from the app store, the operators agreed to distribute devices with the integrated app, provided they pass the interoperability tests set by the GSMA. Spain was ranked as pioneer market in offering a fully interoperable Joyn service between Movistar, Vodafone and Orange, with progressive availability in more countries and networks.
This deployment with native integration aims to ensure a frictionless start: When you turn on your phone, you can chat, message, and send images or videos with compatible contacts without having to rely on third parties or additional registrations.
Limitations, criticisms and actual adoption
The operator-driven approach has its ups and downs. Among the advantages, the to maximise security and your enjoyment., privacy and Guaranteed quality by certification and by network control. Among the brakes, the incomplete interoperability in the early stages and the perception of some users that the pre-installed app is 'crapware' that cannot be uninstalled, something that was reflected in app store reviews.
The network effect It's critical in messaging: if some of your contacts aren't on Joyn or use unsupported carriers, the perceived value drops. There were carriers that showed reluctance to join immediately, considering that it did not offer any differences compared to already established apps. In parallel, the initial exclusion of platforms such as iOS, BlackBerry o Windows Phone and clients of OMV lost traction in the early stages.
Despite everything, the joyn/RCS project lays the foundation for advanced communications are part of the mobile service with guarantees, without depending on a single third-party application. The key to gaining ground against WhatsApp and similar applications is to maintain the full interoperability, extend features, and avoid any friction in the experience, including forced installations.
The concerted movement of Movistar, Vodafone and Orange to pre-install Joyn aims to facilitate its adoption and emphasize the differentials of to maximise security and your enjoyment., quality y network controlIf they manage to extend support to all carriers and platforms without restrictions, Joyn could become a real alternative for those who value a messaging ecosystem integrated into their line and managed by their carrier.