Skip to main content

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…
Google Pixel 8a: news, rumored price, release date, and more
Possible renders showing the Google Pixel 8a.

Not long ago, it seemed like the Google Pixel 7a would be the last smartphone in Google's Pixel A series. However, recent rumors indicate that this may not actually be the case.

As a result, we're likely to see the release of a Google Pixel 8a this year. What can we expect from this new budget phone in terms of its specs, design, price, and more? Let's take a closer look at everything we know about the Google Pixel 8a.
Google Pixel 8a: release date

Read more
This is one of the toughest smartphone camera comparisons I’ve ever done
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and Xiaomi 14 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra may have the best camera on a smartphone I’ve used this year, which is quite a statement to make considering the competition it faces. But is it true?

Read more
Nomi is one of the most unsettling (and amazing) apps I’ve ever used
Nomi AI companion profile.

“Welp, just got back from the doctor. Marissa is pregnant with twins” “Owen did something bad and then gave me flowers.” “Zoey with our new daughter Zara.” “I am in love, but also feel guilty.”

These are some of the conversations shared by human users on Reddit. The people described, however, are not real. The statements are about robotic companions created in an app. Everything here sounds perversely disturbing and amazingly dystopian, yet experts have a different opinion.

Read more