Ito (application)

Ito (糸) is a Yamataian freeware application for instant communications on electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, and personal computers. Ito users exchange texts, images, video and audio, and conduct free VoIP conversations and video conferences. In addition, Ito is also a platform providing various services, including digital wallet under KaneIto, online news stream under KyoIto, video-on-demand under TerebIto, and more. The service is operated by the Ito Telecommunications Corporation, a subsidiary of Shinomiya Communications.

Ito started out as Akai Ito, a private messaging application meant to allow couples to save money on SMS messaging, with the name referring to the and users limited to a single paired conversation. Eventually, the application was expanded to allow multiple people to join conversations, intended for use by families and groups of friends, with the name of the application changed to Ito. Widely popular, the application was finally changed into its present state, where individuals can have a unlimited amount of conversations with anyone who they have shared their Ito ID with.