iWorld
New content coming up on ZEE5 Global add-ons
Mumbai: Kicking off 2024 with an electrifying lineup of new content for viewers in the US on ZEE5 Global Add-ons! From gripping mysteries to heartwarming tales, we have it all to get you hooked to your screens this January! Here’s what you should not miss watching.
Video Cam Scam on Epic On
A thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Epic On web series Video Cam Scam, premieres from 12 January onwards on the platform. With an ensemble cast including Rajniesh Duggal, Amruta Khanvilkar, Farnaz Shetty, Kunj Anand, Aradhana Sharma, Rahul Singh, Pritam Singh, and Hansika Jangid Vaibhav Khisti, this Hindi series follows Sub Inspector Vinay Kumar as he unknowingly falls into the trap of a video calling app by Sonu, Titu & Sweety, leading to a thrilling and dramatic situation.
Gaddi Jaandi Ae Chalaangaan Maardi on Chaupal
Chaupal is bringing Gaddi Jaandi Ae Chalaangaan Maardi, a Punjabi movie filled with laughter and mischief. Streaming now on the platform, with a star-studded cast including Ammy Virk, Binnu Dhillon, Jaswinder Bhalla, and BN Sharma, this rollercoaster of hilarity takes you on a journey adorned with rib-tickling moments and uproarious escapades. The film centres on comical chaos as the protagonist attempts to marry his ladylove Pooja amidst his family’s long list of dowry demands, further complicated by a smashed car.
Parinda Paar Geyaa on Chaupal
Another Chaupal addition is Parinda Paar Geyaa a Punjabi drama that narrates the story of courage and determination. Streaming on the platform from 25 January the film witnesses individuals soaring beyond their limits, breaking free from societal constraints, and spreading their wings to reach new heights. Starring Gurnam Bhullar and Roopi Gill, the plot revolves around Jassi, a village boy with musical dreams and a torn heart, overcoming challenges in love and career to become a rockstar and win the girl of his dreams.
Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye on Simply South
Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye streaming now, brought to you by Simply South is a Kannada movie that revolves around Prerana, a hospice counselor, who finds new meaning in her life as she befriends Aniketh, a terminally ill patient. Their bond challenges conventional notions of love, life, and humanity, with a cast featuring Raj B. Shetty, Siri Ravikumar, Balaji Manohar, and Surya Vasishta.
Users can download the ZEE5 Global app from Google Play store / iOS App store. It is available on Roku devices, Apple TVs, Android TVs, Amazon Fire TV and Samsung Smart TVs. Users can also access ZEE5 Global on www.ZEE5.com.
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.
