Eight years ago, the first lines of code in what would eventually become WhatsApp were being written. Originally, all the app let you do was post a status-a way to tell your friends that you were at work or traveling during the day and would be unreachable.

If you just unwrapped a new smartphone or are thinking of using that envelope of holiday cash to run out and buy one and you’re eager to fill it up with new ways to distract yourself, then read on. Amid all the other year-end retrospectives, future predictions, and service-y listicles pumped out by every media outlet on the planet at this time of year, this story might be for you.