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PageBites, Inc., operating as imo.im, is a communications platform headquartered in Palo Alto, California, that provides free, secure international video calls and instant messaging. The company was founded in 2005 by brothers Georges and Ralph Harik. Georges Harik, an early Google engineer from 1999 to 2005, was instrumental in developing products like AdSense, Gmail, and Google Talk. His experience at Google, particularly with Android applications, inspired the creation of imo. Ralph Harik, who serves as the CEO, previously worked at Oracle and managed the initial coding for the application, leveraging his technical background from MIT.

Initially launched as a web-based application in 2005, imo allowed users to access multiple third-party chat platforms like Facebook Messenger, Google Talk, and Skype from a single interface. This multi-network approach was a key feature, making the service accessible to users on various operating systems without needing multiple clients. However, in March 2014, the company pivoted, ending support for third-party networks to focus on developing its own native communication services. This shift allowed imo to concentrate on enhancing its core offerings, such as voice and video calling, which it had introduced using WebRTC technology to avoid the need for browser plugins.

The imo application is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS, serving over 200 million users in more than 170 countries. Its primary services include high-definition video and voice calls, group chats for up to 20 participants, and instant messaging. The platform supports sharing various file types, including photos, videos, and documents, with end-to-end encryption for privacy. User content like chat history and files can be synced to the imo Cloud to free up device storage. To monetize its free services, imo has diversified its revenue streams. The company generates income through advertising, including rewarded ads that allow users to trial premium features. In 2022, imo launched 'Messenger for Business,' enabling brands to create official accounts and send promotional messages to targeted customer groups. The business model also includes in-app purchases for premium services.

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