iWorld
Sky & Cisco launch OnPrime TV, offers south Asian channels too
MUMBAI: Consumers in the UK, Italy and Germany can now access popular foreign language film, television and news channels in one place via OnPrime TV, a new innovative app-based streaming service developed by Cisco in collaboration with Sky, and supported by Encompass Digital Media.
Powered by the Cisco Infinite Video Platform, OnPrime TV offers viewers access to high-quality foreign-language linear content. The service includes Sky South Asian, Sky Arabic and Sky Russian channel packs, downlinked and encoded by Encompass.
The OnPrime TV app can be downloaded via the app store on Apple TV4, or by searching for OnPrime TV on Apple TV3. All channel packs offer a 30-day free trial, and range in price from £8.99 to £17.99 a month. Cisco plans to expand the service to more devices and additional European countries during 2017.
“OnPrime TV fills the gap in the market for high-quality foreign entertainment available to non- European expatriate communities living in Europe,” said Cisco vice president – strategy and product management, SP applications and platforms Rajeev Raman.
“Sky has worked closely with Cisco for years, and we’re pleased to be partnering with them on this innovative new service,” said Sky group director – business development and strategic partnerships Emma Lloyd. “Cisco’s technological expertise and Encompass’ long-standing history of delivering reliable broadcast solutions, combined with Sky’s strong track record on curating content and streaming to millions of customers, has created an exciting new service.”
OnPrime TV Channel Packs include:
Sky Russian pack: THT, Bestseller, Moolt, Planeta HD, 1+1 International, CTC International, Domashniy, Peretz, TV1000 Russian Kino. In the UK and Italy, the pack also includes Channel One Russia, Carousel, Vremya, Dom Kino, Muzika Pervogo.
Sky Arabic pack: Rotana Aflam, Rotana Cinema, LBC, Rotana Clip, Rotana Mousica, Rotana Classic, Rotana Khalijia.
Sky South Asian pack: Sony Entertainment TV Asia, Sony Max, Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Punjabi, B4U
In Germany and Italy, pack also includes Star Plus, Star Life Ok, and Star Gold. Star TV pack is also available separately in UK with Star Plus, Star Life Ok, Star Gold.
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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.
