Kaustubh
Member • Nov 8, 2012
BSB's Hike Messenger App Converts IM into SMS
We know most of our readers are hooked to WhatsApp, Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and other similar services. We even believe that the instant messaging market is overcrowded. But it looks like Sunil Bharti Mittal's son, Kavin thinks that there's room for more. Bharti SoftBank (BSB) has developed a new messenger called 'Hike' messenger that will take on the rivals head on. The messenger's been developed by BSB in association with Gurgaon based Y2CF Digital - the company in which BSB holds about 49% shares. The app was expected to be launched today, but the server loads have pushed the release to November 14. BSB says that the app will be made available on all the popular mobile platforms including iOS, Android, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows 7.
BSB is trying to address one big pain-point with all the available messaging services. If you're using WhatsApp, then in order to send message through it, your contact too needs the WhatsApp messenger installed. BSB says that Hike Messenger will address this problem. It will convert the instant message into an SMS and deliver it to the contact if they don't have the Hike Messenger installed on their mobile. Of course, the users will be able to reply to your Hike message via simple text message and the app will be delivered to your mobile right into the Hike app.
BSB says that the partnership with leading mobile telecom operators in India is likely and the list includes Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Tata and others. The app will give the users 100 SMS (to the hike service) free every month and for each new friend you refer, you will get 50 more messages per month free.
Via: #-Link-Snipped-#
What's so cool about Hike Messenger?
BSB is trying to address one big pain-point with all the available messaging services. If you're using WhatsApp, then in order to send message through it, your contact too needs the WhatsApp messenger installed. BSB says that Hike Messenger will address this problem. It will convert the instant message into an SMS and deliver it to the contact if they don't have the Hike Messenger installed on their mobile. Of course, the users will be able to reply to your Hike message via simple text message and the app will be delivered to your mobile right into the Hike app.
BSB says that the partnership with leading mobile telecom operators in India is likely and the list includes Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Tata and others. The app will give the users 100 SMS (to the hike service) free every month and for each new friend you refer, you will get 50 more messages per month free.
Via: #-Link-Snipped-#