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KakaoTalk (Korean: 카카오톡) is a free mobile Instant messaging application for smartphones with free text and free call features. It was launched on March 18, 2010 and is currently available on iOS, Android, Bada OS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Nokia Asha and Personal Computer. KakaoTalk currently has 140 million users and is available in 15 languages. The app is also used by 93% of smartphone owners in South Korea. In addition to free calls and messages, KakaoTalk users can share diverse content and information including photos, videos, voice messages, location, URL links as well as contact information. Both one-on-one and group chats are available over Wifi, 3G or LTE and there are no limits to the number of friends who can join in on a group chat. KakaoTalk automatically synchronizes the user’s contact list on their smartphones with the contact list on KakaoTalk to find friends who are on the service. Users can also search friends by KakaoTalk ID without having to know each other's phone number. The KakaoTalk service also allows its users to export their messages and save them for future reference.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=KakaoTalk TruTower )〕 KakaoTalk began as a messenger service, but has transformed itself into a platform for the distribution of various third party content and apps, including hundreds of games, which users can download and play their friends through the messaging platform.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Korean messaging app Kakao Talk’s games platform grossed $311 million in H1 2013 )〕 Through the "Plus Friend" feature on KakaoTalk, users can follow brands, media and celebrities to receive exclusive messages, coupons and other real-time information through KakaoTalk chatrooms. Users can also purchase real-life goods through the messenger's "Gifting" platform, such as Starbucks coffee or jewelry.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=South Korea's Kakao Pushes Boundaries of Social Media )〕 == History and company == Kakao Corp is the company behind KakaoTalk (its platform and flagship app), and was founded in 2010 by Kim Bum-soo, the former CEO of NHN Corporation (founder of Hangame, which merged with Naver.com to create NHN). Kakao Corp. is based in Seoul, South Korea, and Jae-Beom (JB) Lee and Sirgoo Lee are the current Co-CEOs. In 2013, Kakao Corp. generated revenue of approximately $200M (USD) through gaming, digital content, mobile commerce and its marketing channels for brands and celebrities. Kakao Corp. was named a "Top Developer" on Google's Android Market. and KakaoTalk was chosen as the No.1 Free SMS App by Cnet. According to a December 2013 AppAnnie report, Kakao is also the world’s third top publisher by monthly revenue in Google Play. Kakao Corp. is the #1 publisher for iOS and Google Play in South Korea, and KakaoTalk is the #1 app for iOS and Google Play revenue in South Korea. KakaoTalk was nominated for the Most Innovative Mobile App Award at the Global Mobile Awards 2014. Kakao Corp. agreed to buy Daum Communications Corp, to cut costs and save time to jump-start growth and gain a listing in Seoul, South Korea. Kakao Corp’s full suite of apps include: KakaoTalk, KakaoStory, KakaoMusic, KakaoGroup, KakaoHome, KakaoPlace, KakaoAlbum, KakaoPage, KakaoStyle, KakaoAgit.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Kakao Corp Home )〕 In May 26, 2014, Kakao Corp. announced that it has decided to merge with Daum Communications through a stock swap. Once the two firms are combined, a new tech giant is expected to debut, with about 3 trillion won ($2.9 billion) market capitalization, posing an apparent threat to Naver, the nation's biggest portal company. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「KakaoTalk」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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