Skip to main content

Messaging app Tango steps into social network status with new photo filters and 100M users

tango

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…
I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps
The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

Read more
Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.

Read more