hike Messenger
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 | |
| Initial release | December 12, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Preview release | |
| Development status | Active |
| Operating system | iOS Android Windows Phone BlackBerry OS Symbian |
| Size | 18.2 MB(for android) |
| Available in | 9 languages |
| Type | Instant messaging Voice over IP |
| License | Freeware |
| Alexa rank | 79,644 |
| Website | get |
Hike Messenger (stylized as hike) is a cross-platform instant messaging service for smartphones that uses the internet for communication. In addition to text messaging, users can send each other graphical stickers,[6] emoticons, images, videos, audios, files, voice messages, contacts and user location.
Hike was launched on 12 December 2012 [7] and raised its first round of funding of $7 million from Bharti SoftBank in April 2013. Hike is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Softbank.[8] On 16 August 2016 Hike raised $175 million in a new round of funding led by Tencent & Foxconn. After raising this round Hike Messenger reached the valuation of $1.4 Billion. [1] Hike's founder is Kavin Bharti Mittal.[2]
Contents
[hide]History[edit]
Hike Messenger is an Indian messaging app. Launched on 12 December 2012, Hike attained 15 million users in February 2014 and raised $14 million for its development.[8] Over the next few months, the application introduced free text messaging anywhere in India, chat themes, updated stickers, hidden chats and revamped user interface. In August 2014, Hike hit 35 million users and raised another big round of funding - $65 million - led by Tiger Global.
Hike Messenger made its first acquisition, buying free voice-calling company Zip Phones, which allowed it to launch free app based calling services that are emerging as a key draw for users.[9]
In 2015, Hike launched the "Great Indian Sticker Challenge" to invite designers to design new stickers. As per the communication statistics on Hike, 30% of the traffic comes from stickers.[10]
In October 2015, the CEO of hike announced that the userbase of hike reached up to 70 million and more than 20 billion messages are shared each month.[11] and in December according to hike blog hike is sharing over 1 billion messages every single day and 30 billion+ messages a month.[12] As of January 2016 hike has crossed the mark of 100 million users. "Crossing 100 million users is a milestone for us and we have achieved this magic number well ahead of our expectations," Hike Messenger founder and CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal said in a statement.
Features[edit]
Chat Themes[edit]
Hike supports 2 way chat themes that a user can change according to relationship with person or there mood. The option for chat themes are limited but one set the theme with their own pictures.
Stickers[edit]
Apart from basic social messaging means like photos, videos, emoticons and audio files, hike has 5000+ graphical sticker. Many of the stickers pack can be used across different geographies but a lot of them are highly customized of Indian users. The stickers are available in multiple Indian languages. Apart from this Hike allows users to "nudge", a feature used to ping the receiver. They have sticker recommendation feature where the application suggest what should be the best reply for any sticker message.
Voice Call[edit]
In January 2015, hike introduced a voice calling feature for their users.[13] The messenger provides free voice-calling over 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi across the globe in over 200 countries. In Sep 2015, hike launched free group calls with up to 100 people in a conference call.[14]
Hike Direct[edit]
Hike Direct, a feature that allows users to share messages and files without any kind of data charges within a radius of 100 metres through Wi-Fi Direct, was made available in October 2015.[15] Over internet also it allows you to share files up to 100MB size.
Hidden Mode[edit]
It also allows users to hide individual and group chats providing extended privacy.
Talking Bot[edit]
In addition hike has a talking bot called Natasha. It is a talking bot that uses AIML(Artificial Intelligence Markup language) to chat with users.
Coupons[edit]
Hike Coupons, a feature that allows users to get discount coupons from over 100 brands.
Games[edit]
Games(Beta), a feature that allows users to play games on the Hike app.
The following games are available in hike messenger :
- Word rush
- India Puzzle
- Word Search
- Number Rush
- Sudoku
- Snake
- Solitare
Hike Daily[edit]
Hike daily, a feature that daily sends Quotes or Facts to all users.
Cricket[edit]
During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Hike partnered with CricBuzz to keep their Android users updated about the world cup scores.[16]
News[edit]
Hike aggregates news and other content such as videos, info graphics, and blogs, and summarizes them in 100 words or less.
Just for Laughs[edit]
Just for laugh is a feature that sends funny images to all the subscribed users.
Timeline[edit]
In timeline feature one can share status, picture with entire friend list on hike. This feature is pretty similar to the timeline concept of Facebook.
On March 31, 2016 Hike launched the Hike Smell. This was not a real feature and was added as a prank on April Fools' Day.
Business Model[edit]
They have partnered with companies like: Cafe Coffee Day, Pizza Hut, Dominos etc. The more you use Hike they will give you coupons as rewards. Thus hike directs customers to the companies and thus get a share from them.
Privacy[edit]
Hike uses a 128-bit SSL encrypted, firewalled server for the exchange of media and text messages only on wifi. Messages are stored locally in the user's device and the data is not backed-up to Hike's server.[17]
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