iWorld
VETO teams up with cricket stars for T20 World Cup content push
Aakash Chopra, Ashwin, Badrinath and Samip Rajguru to deliver previews, analysis and watch-alongs.
MUMBAI: VETO isn’t just streaming cricket, it’s calling the shots with a star-studded commentary team. The family-first CTV OTT platform has unveiled a creator-led content strategy for the T20 World Cup, roping in some of India’s most respected cricket voices to build a trusted second-screen destination.
The lineup features commentator Aakash Chopra, former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, ex-India batsman S. Badrinath and senior journalist Samip Rajguru. Coverage spans match previews, post-match breakdowns, tactical deep dives, interactive watch-alongs, exclusive chats and behind-the-scenes insights, all exclusive to VETO.
VETO Streaming Media Pvt Ltd, managing director Ritu Dhawan said, “This initiative strengthens VETO’s vision of becoming a trusted, family-centric digital ecosystem. The T20 World Cup is a high-attention moment, and by bringing together respected former cricketers, credible journalists, and influential digital creators, we are building a differentiated cricket destination. Our goal is to move beyond fragmented consumption and offer audiences one reliable platform for expert analysis, real-time updates, and meaningful engagement throughout the tournament.”
Positioned as the “Second Screen for the T20 World Cup,” VETO aims to give serious fans deeper context and expert takes beyond live broadcasts, all on the big screen in a seamless Connected TV experience. The move signals a longer play too – building a year-round cricket content hub that outlives marquee events by consolidating authoritative voices in one place.
In a crowded streaming landscape, VETO’s bet on credibility and community could turn casual viewers into loyal couch companions. Whether you’re watching with kids or debating DRS calls, the platform wants to be the family-friendly voice of reason when the stumps are flying.
iWorld
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
