iWorld
Likee ties up with PUBG MOBILE to celebrate the online game’s second anniversary
MUMBAI: Likee, the short-video platform by Singapore-based BIGO Technology Pte Ltd, has collaborated with PUBG MOBILE to celebrate the second anniversary of the popular online game. As part of the collaboration, Likers have been asked to join a hashtag challenge, create video, and post the same to bag jewels.
All users joining the hashtag challenge will get one chance to participate in a lucky draw. The catch is that each user will get just one chance per day. Likee and PUBG MOBILE would award the winners of the lucky draw jointly. A bumper prize is also in store for the participants.
To enhance the engagement level of users, Likee is also designing an exclusive jewel for PUBG MOBILE, which would signify the 2nd anniversary logo of the online game.
The challenge will be based on ‘Open your PUBGM Blind Box’ concept, wherein participants can pick their PUBG MOBILE Blind Box to win special 2nd anniversary gifts.
Likee spokesperson Mike Ong said, “A global blockbuster game like PUBG MOBILE getting associated with a pioneering short video platform signifies the emergence of a new phenomenon. It further reflects the ever-growing popularity of Likee on the global stage.”
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.
