In a singularly stunning move which is sure to lay the foundation for greater things in future, Instant Messaging platform Hike availed Hike Direct to its users: now allowing them to connect instantly without internet connectivity. The unprecedented event was accompanied by the announcement that this popular platform is now 70 million strong.
Hike Direct has all the makings of an instant hit, especially seeing as it is set against the backdrop of a country where more than 70% of the population is yet to arrive to the Web. It will allow the users to share files, photos, messages, and more of up to 70 MB (we’re seeing a theme here). The service works without Wi-Fi or mobile data networks, said Kavin Mittal, founder and CEO of Hike.
Before we could go around claiming it to be a digital miracle, Mittal reminds us that the feature “although offline, won’t work outside a 100-metre radius.” That’s because it uses the same technology as Wi-Fi direct, available in most smart phones and already en vogue from apps like Shareit.
Mittal also told us how IM platform grew at a startling 100% pace each year. “We are currently processing 20 billion messages monthly,” he says. He also told us that people are spending a minimum 140 minutes/week on Hike.
Hike Direct is second in what looks to be a series of announcements. The platform had recently released a group calling feature capable of connecting up to 100 people at once.
The app is currently working on adding free stickers in local languages, increasing data transfer to a 100 MB and gearing up for 4G in India where more than 35 million people use it.
The app competes with WhatsApp and Viber. Hike had also scored a cool $65 million in funding last year from a band of investors, chiefly led by Tiger Global Management.
