iWorld
IN10 Media Network launches rebranded EPIC ON
MUMBAI: Announced earlier this year, IN10 Media Network’s upgraded and reimagined OTT platform EPIC ON is set to go live on 15 August 2020 with a new look, exciting brand proposition, and a future ready vision for digital content consumption in the new decade.
“Content consumption in the next decade of digital streaming will be more than just about quality, variety, and language. It will also be about formats and preferences of mediums. The choice is not just what to make, but also whether to make it as a series, film, podcast, e-book, game, and then to expand it in others. With this in mind, the new EPIC ON offers the brand proposition of Dekho | Suno | Khelo (Watch | Listen | Play) – Engage with your content in your preferred manner,” explained IN10 Media Network MD Aditya Pittie, as he revealed the expansive thought behind the strategic shift in the platform’s offering.
The first to announce and execute a unique symbiosis of extant technologies, and push the boundaries of what an OTT platform can be, the app, built from scratch by an in-house tech team, will enable consumers to watch, listen, play & read content on one app. Also introducing, EPICOINS – a loyalty program that offers exciting rewards and experiences.
“Tech of the future will need to be adaptive as well as extremely responsive; extensive choice of content, and the correct partnerships to provide that, with mutually beneficial business models will be pivotal for standing out and convincing users to subscribe to the service,” said EPIC ON COO Sourjya Mohanty, as he elaborated on the abundance of content choices available on EPIC ON – over 2000 hours of factual and fictional series, movies, documentaries, talks, etc., 5000 hours of inspiring and entertaining podcasts, 1000-plus casual multiplayer and interactive games, along with E-sports and over 1000 E-books for bibliophiles.
To build a large repository of diverse content, EPIC ON has partnered with leading players, including EP.Log, IVM, Aawaz, Whistling Woods International, and more.
The new EPIC ON will continue to Live Stream the network’s linear channels: EPIC TV, ShowBox, and Filamchi, and add more including the network’s upcoming channels. Select content across formats will also be available in English and Tamil.
Users will be able to access free content and premium library through multiple subscription plans – Rs 59 for one month, Rs 159 for three months, Rs 299 for six months and Rs 499 for a year.
Users can stream EPIC ON across devices, create multiple user logins, download content to enjoy it on the go, and access the user interface in English, Hindi and Tamil with more regional languages available in the future.
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.
