1. Facebook buys WhatsApp 

Zuckerburg and Co. announced Wednesday they’d be purchasing the messaging app WhatsApp — for $16 billion (billion with a ‘B’). 

It makes perfect sense for the company. They’ve long needed a cohesive way for their users to communicate in private or group converse…

What’s that? You’re telling me Facebook already has that in its standalone Messenger app?

Really now? 

This just seems like a colossal waste of money.

For some reason, not everyone is thinking along the same lines. Ellis Hamburger of The Verge comments Facebook is expanding its portfolio — making its various services reach all corners of the globe, where apps like Messenger and Instagram may not be as popular.

And the move could be considered in line with Facebook’s slogan, “move fast and break things.” As Zuckerberg said in a conference call, “WhatsApp is the only app we’ve ever seen with higher engagement than Facebook itself.” Which is pretty unreal.

I just don’t see how this is anything more than a very, very expensive way to get more users for Facebook Messenger. It’s not like they’re going to rename WhatsApp into Facebook WhatsApp or anything, right? Right?

2. Google Fiber to expand

Google announced Wednesday that nine new locations are in consideration for its gigabit Internet service known as Google Fiber.

While already present in Kansas City and Austin, Portalnd, San Jose, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville and Raleigh-Durham are potential locations for the lightning-fast service.

What I would give for gigabit Internet in the Baton Rouge area. No more 1 mb/s downloads from the ancient Internet at my apartment complex. Gone would be LSU’s relatively quick Internet speeds. This is Internet that can download a 2.5 hour, hi-def movie in less than 2 minutes. 

This is the future of Internet.

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That’s all the news for this week! Make sure to check back every Thursday for the latest and greatest in tech.