Stickers as a Service
{{Short description|Category of software services}}
Stickers as a service (SaaS) {{cite web |url = http://www.techinasia.com/stickersasaservice-change-communicate-work/
|title = How stickers-as-a-service can change the way we communicate at work |work = techinasia.com |publisher = Tech in Asia
|date = 15 April 2014 |accessdate = 16 April 2014 |first = Daniel |last = Tay}} is a category of cloud computing services that provides digital stickers to messaging apps and photo editing software.
In this model, the stickers are sold through stores integrated in messaging apps, chat and photo editing software. They can be used as a method to generate revenue{{cite web
|url = https://thenextweb.com/asia/2013/08/21/japanese-messaging-company-line-makes-over-10-million-per-month-from-selling-stickers/
|title = Line is Doing $10 Million in Sticker Sales Per Month
|work = thenextweb.com
|publisher = The Next Web
|date = 21 August 2013
|accessdate = 16 April 2014
|first = Jon
|last = Russell
}} besides through in-app advertising as they are non-intrusive.
SaaS offerings may include handling micropayments,{{cite web |url = https://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/05/22/stickers-as-a-service-startup-picocandy-helps-apps-make-money-and-boost-user-engagement/ |title = Stickers-as-a-service startup PicoCandy helps apps make money and boost user engagement |work = thenextweb.com |publisher = The Next Web |date = 23 May 2014 |accessdate = 26 May 2014 |first = Jon |last = Russell}} sticker shop integration and content management systems with developing apps,{{cite web
|url = http://e27.co/geraldine-yong-founder-picocandy-messaging-innovation-starts-in-asia/
|title = [Updated] Asians love their stickers! No wonder the region is seeing innovation
|work = e27.co
|publisher = e27
|date = 5 May 2014
|accessdate = 26 May 2014
|first = Elaine
|last = Huang
}} and is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
Stickers as a service enables developers to build a full sticker stores into their apps with just a few lines of code.{{cite web
|url = http://thumbsup.in.th/2014/05/revolutionising-communication-with-picocandys-stickers-as-a-service/
|title = Revolutionising Communication with PicoCandy's "Stickers as a Service"
|work = thumbsup.in.th
|publisher = thumbsup
|date = 5 May 2014
|accessdate = 26 May 2014
|first = Thumbsup
|last = Team
}}
Stickers
Digital stickers, commonly sold as virtual goods, tend to depict either original or well-known characters. They are used during chat sessions between users and act as large sized emoji to express emotions or as decoration in photographs.
Stickers vary from original characters to popular manga, anime and gaming characters or movie tie-ins. They can be purchased or downloaded for free in apps with sticker stores installed. Limited edition stickers may also be gained via special occasions or achievements.
It is used as an alternative to emoji or emoticons as they are a more expressive form of communication{{cite web
|url = https://thenextweb.com/mobile/2013/10/03/why-is-every-messaging-app-under-the-sun-trying-to-sell-stickers-to-you/
|title = Why are Messaging Apps Selling Stickers?
|work = thenextweb.com
|publisher = The Next Web
|date = 3 October 2014
|accessdate = 26 May 2014
|first = Jon
|last = Russell
}} and have a variety of designs and art styles.
Apps that use Stickers
- LINE
- Kakaotalk
- Facebook Messenger
- Instagram (Messages and Stories)
- Snapchat (Messages and Stories)
- Viber
- BlackBerry
- PhotoStamped