iWorld
Now, get great deals while watching videos on KIKO TV
MUMBAI: Short video viewing app KIKO TV has launched new features on the app as part of its festive offering to users. The app, which debuted a few months ago amid the pandemic, is kickstarting the festive season early with its latest features.
“Deal of the Day” discount feature will allow registered users of the app to have access to hundreds of deals till Diwali. Currently, KIKO TV has signed up more than 50 merchants on the app. Products that have been added include electronics, household goods, personal care as well as health and beauty products. Limited products are available at up to 90 per cent off their retail price in lightning deals. Additionally, users can use the in-app currency coins to get an even higher discount on selected products.
The live-streaming feature lets users of KIKO TV have live interaction within the app with vendors across India. This service allows sellers to push their live feeds across all social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. The app is all set to bring in amazing discounts from vendors on the products which are in high demand.
KIKO TV CSO Neeta Chawla said, “The initial response to our new features which we launched a few weeks back has been exhilarating, and with the festive season settling in, we realised that it is time again to provide users what they ask for. This year has been challenging for all, and with these discounts we look forward to bringing in some cheer and optimism for our users. We hope our users will make use of the deals available and shop their hearts out.”
“Also, with short format apps now being the go-to place for quick entertainment, these new features ensure app stickiness and user loyalty. We are planning to launch some more features in the coming month to increase our offerings,” she further added.
Last month, KIKO TV launched in-app shopping while browsing videos and in-app games for users to earn more loyalty points. The app is available on both Android and iOS and the app has crossed 120,000 downloads since its launch, with a weekly increase in the active users by 20 per cent.
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.
