India’s second largest instant messaging platform Hike launched a new feature called Hike Direct. This new feature allows the app to function without an Internet connection.
“At a point of time in the country where several people are yet to come online, Hike Direct will connect users in a never before seen revolutionary way. The feature can work without Wi-Fi or mobile data and allow users to send photos, stickers, files and messages to anyone who is also on the Hike network,” said Kavin Bharti Mittal, founder and chief executive of Hike.
“Files as large as 70MB can be sent in over 10 seconds,” Mittal added.
As the technology used to create the feature is same as the Wi-Fi direct technology available in most smartphones hence the feature won’t work outside a 100-metre radius.
The Bharti SoftBank-backed messaging app has released a flurry of new features which include free stickers in local languages, data transfer option up to 100MB, and making the platform 4G ready, to expand its consumer base in the country.
Launched in December 2012, Hike has acquired 70 million users as of September, making it the second largest messaging app in the country. Other popular rivals like WhatsApp and Viber, respectively, have a user base of 900 million and over 40 million.
