Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Facebook
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
In the era of smartphones, some mobile applications have become so dominant that they appear on almost every user's device. This question tests general knowledge about which technology company owns the four most downloaded apps globally for social networking and communication, namely Facebook, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Instagram. Understanding this ownership structure helps candidates link brand names, corporate groups and digital products in the modern internet economy.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To answer this question, one must recall which company developed or acquired each of these apps. Facebook began as a social networking platform, then expanded by developing Messenger and acquiring other popular apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram. Amazon, Myntra and Flipkart are large companies in the retail and e commerce space, but they are not primarily owners of these four globally dominant social media applications. By matching each app to its parent company, we can identify the correct choice.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the category of the apps mentioned. Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram are all social networking or messaging apps.
Step 2: Recall which company launched Facebook. It was launched by Mark Zuckerberg and his team under the company that later became known as Facebook Inc and then Meta Platforms.
Step 3: Remember that Messenger started as Facebook Chat and was later separated into a standalone messaging app, but it is still owned by the same parent company.
Step 4: WhatsApp was an independent company that was acquired by Facebook in a multibillion dollar deal, so it also belongs to the Facebook corporate group.
Step 5: Instagram was another independent photo sharing app that was purchased by Facebook, bringing it into the same ecosystem of apps.
Step 6: Compare this with Amazon, Myntra and Flipkart, which are focused mainly on e commerce and do not own this group of social apps.
Step 7: Conclude that Facebook is the only company in the list that owns all four of the mentioned applications.
Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative way to verify is to think about the login and integration features between these apps. Instagram allows linking to Facebook accounts for easy sharing. WhatsApp Web and business tools often mention Facebook as the parent. Messenger is clearly branded as a Facebook product. Together, these cross integrations confirm that all these apps belong to the same corporate family. News articles about mergers and acquisitions also repeatedly mention that Facebook acquired both WhatsApp and Instagram, which reinforces this conclusion.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Amazon: Amazon is best known for its online marketplace, cloud computing services and devices like Kindle and Echo. It does not own Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger or Instagram.
Flipkart: Flipkart is an Indian e commerce company primarily dealing with online retail and logistics, and is not the owner of these social apps.
Myntra: Myntra is an Indian fashion e commerce platform, focused on clothing and lifestyle products, and it does not control any of the four apps mentioned.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners assume that different app names imply different owners, so they may think that each app is independent or tied to the company that first created it. Another mistake is confusing popularity in a local market with global ownership. Some candidates may also mix up Facebook as a platform with Facebook as a company, but for the purposes of this question, selecting Facebook as the corporate owner is correct. It is important to distinguish between an app brand and the parent company that holds it.
Final Answer:
The company that owns the top four most downloaded apps Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram is Facebook.
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