Social Media Tool: KakaoTalk

Introduction

KakaoTalk is a free downloadable software application for mobile devices that provide free text messaging and call services.  This social media is South Korea's biggest smart phone application success story.

Background

KakaoTalk (Korean: 카카오톡), or sometimes KaTalk is a social network OS instant free messaging system which was released on March 18, 2010 by Beom-Soo Kim.  Kakao Corporation is the company behind KakaoTalk (its platform and flagship app).  Kakao is also the world's third top publisher by monthly revenue in Google Play.  Kako Corporation is the first publisher for iOS and Google Play in South Korea, and KakaoTalk is the first app for iOS and Google Play revenue in South.  People can use this social network right after they smply downloaded application from app store on their phones, and set up Kakao Talk ID (user name).

Functions

KakaoTalk provides free call, add friends, group chatting, multimedia sharing, and sending chatting contents to email account.  It also can share location and voice messages.  The other features are walkies-talkies, no banner ads, stickers and animated emotions, and others.


Application of Tools

Instant Messaging (IM) is a type of online chat which offers real-time text transmission over the Internet.  The IM app supports certain functions of social networks.
 
SWOT Analysis

Strenght	This application can be downloaded and being used in Personal Computer (PC) and Web Version.
Opportunity	To increase their profits, they selling stickers and smileys.
Witnesses	The domain of this apps are blocked in China and Pornography being post on Kakao Group.  Pornography posted in Kakao Group are unethical behavior that will bring bad behavior for kids and teenagers.
Treat	It became treat when people compare with WhatsApp.  WhatApp also provide almost the same features like KakaoTalk.  So, people make a lot of comparison which apps are better for them to use.

Benefit to NET CITIZEN

There are no limits number of friends in a group chat.  Besides, users ca search friends by KakaoTalk ID without know each other's phone number.  "Plus Friend" and "Gifting" are added in these apps.  Through the "Plus Friend", users can follow brands, media and celebrities to receive exclusive messages, coupons and other realtime information using KakaoTalk chat rooms.  Users also can purchase real-life goods through the messenger's "Gifting" platform, such as Starbucks and other gifts.

Conclusion

KakaoTalk has focused on expanding to countries in Southeast Asia including Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia


Below are my presentation slides: