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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Adam Gabbatt

Join us on WhatsApp for real-time chat during the Republican debate

Donald Trump Republican presidential debate
Donald Trump, right, checks the time with Jeb Bush during the CNBC Republican presidential debate in October. Photograph: Mark J Terrill/AP

It’s that time again: the final Republican debate of 2015is taking place right now in Las Vegas. Since the last debate, more than a month ago, Bobby Jindal has withdrawn from the race and Donald Trump has gone from court jester to xenophobic king of the world.

WhatsApp
WhatsApp has about 900 million monthly users. Photograph: Alex Milan Tracy/Demotix/Corbis

To mark the occasion, I’m trying something new, adding to our usual all-out live politics coverage by taking the conversation to WhatsApp, posting updates, chatting about all the big moments, and posting a few pictures and emoji.

It’ll be just like chatting with a friend, except we aren’t friends. Yet.

(Update: we’re at capacity for the night. Sorry! For those in the group, get ready to have some fun. For everyone else, let’s chat again some time. Here’s our live blog for you to follow along on your phone anyway.)

To sign up:

  1. Download WhatsApp on your phone. (Available for free on iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone)
  2. Save this number, +1 (917) 484-1518, in your phone’s contacts.
  3. Open WhatsApp and text “JOIN” to that number

Details to note:

  • We’re limiting the group to the first 256 who join in, just to keep this experiment manageable.
  • You won’t receive a confirmation message after texting “JOIN”. You may not see your first message until just before the debate.
  • You can opt out at any time by using WhatsApp to text “STOP” to the same number.
  • Because this is an experiment, we don’t yet have plans to do it again, but don’t be surprised if you hear from us at some future date about similar projects.
  • We will ask for your feedback at the end of the night and the day after, and we would love for you to share your honest opinion with us, if you choose.

More about me: I cover American politics and culture for the Guardian US. Recently I’ve written about Ben Carson, #popebars and alternatives to Time’s person of the year. If you’re not yet sure you want an unfamiliar reporter chatting at you all night – I wouldn’t be either – then just have a look at my Twitter feed.

If WhatsApp isn’t your thing, the Guardian US staff will be liveblogging the debate as usual, on theguardian.com.

•••

This is an experiment by the Mobile Innovation Lab for the Guardian US, and we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Please email us at innovationlab@theguardian.com

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