The latest app to join the frenzy of instant messaging apps lining up the market is the Line app. As the name suggests, it is an app which provides a line or a link of communication between two devices which have this app installed and is used to send and receive instant messages, transfer multimedia files and make free voice and video calls. Line is being used by smartphone users world over and till date it has about 350 million users. This number has put Line right on top of the most downloaded apps in the Google PlayStore, that too not just in US but many other countries as well.
The Line app is extremely user friendly and the interface is easy to understand even for people who are not very tech savvy. The home page resembles the Facebook profile page to a great extent with an option for changing profile picture as well as cover photo and an “add friends” option through which one can send friend requests to other fellow Line users in order to chat with them through this app. It also has separate sections for chat, timeline and friends. However, Line is not meant for only sending text messages. The developers have added a fun element to the normal texting services by introducing stickers which can be used to convey emotions in a moreexpressive way than normal emoticons.
Several games are also available for those users who would care to try them. Just like in WhatsApp, Line also comes with a click and send photo option by which users can click a photo directly from the app interface and send it to their contact without bothering to save it in their image gallery.
The most interesting feature about the Line app is the “friends” section. This feature automatically syncs your phone contact list with the Line account so that you can immediately start chatting with other users who already have Line installed on their phones. It also has a “pop up” option for sending chat messages or placing calls. The phone also features a “barcode scanning” option which can prove to be quite helpful at times. The “timeline” tab is the one you will have to access if you want to see posts by other users. As told earlier, Line is very similar to Facebook and therefore those who have been using Facebook for quite some time will find Line very easy to use too.
Although Line is promoted basically as a messaging and calling app, it is also very frequently used for social networking. The “shake” and “look around” options in the app enable the users to search for Line users in nearby locations. These features would automatically link your phone with that of another Line user who is within geographical distance but who might be a complete stranger! Of course, then it is up to you to pair your device with that of the stranger and start making new friends!