iWorld
HOOQ expands content offering; loads YRF movies on platform
MUMBAI: Video-on-demand service HOOQ, which launched in India earlier this year, has expanded its content offering by adding a host of movies from Yash Raj Films’ catalogue.
These latest additions provide a significant boost to its extensive catalogue of Hollywood, regional and local movies and TV series.
Iconic YRF movies from classics like Kaala Patthar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila to new films like Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year and Kabul Express are now available on HOOQ.
With the addition of these movies, HOOQ is now offering over 30,000 hours of Hollywood, Bollywood, regional and local content, further solidifying HOOQ’s vision to be the country’s largest and most premier subscription video-service to date.
Yash Raj Films vice president – digital Anand Gurnani said, “Yash Raj Films has always strived to bring the best cinematic entertainment experiences for the Indian audiences – be it through content or latest technologies. With this association, we are giving the viewers an option to watch and relive their favourite YRF movies. As a platform HOOQ makes us confident that together we will be able to bring alive an exciting and satisfying experience for the users by giving them access to best quality content available at their fingertips.”
HOOQ co-founder and chief content and distribution officer Krishnan Rajagopalan added, “We have received very encouraging feedback from both consumers and the trade regarding the service, and going forward will continue to add a range of International and Indian movies and TV series to meet the voracious entertainment appetite of the Indian users.”
Some of the other movies from YRF, which users can find on HOOQ include Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Aaja Nachle, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Mashaal, Noorie, and Daag among others.
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.
