iWorld
Spuul expands Punjabi content library
MUMBAI: Video-on-demand platform Spuul has expanded its Punjabi content library with a collection of over 100 movies. It has added movies from leading Punjabi content producers and distributors such as Lokdhun, Unisys, Daddy Mohan Records, Speed Records, Kumar Films, Yellow Music, etc.
As one of its firsts, the platform will be showcasing the exclusive premiere of Atishbaazi Ishq starring Mahie Gill and Roshan Prince within a week of its theatrical release early next month.
“We enjoy the patronage of a large number of Punjabi users across the globe. Adding Punjabi language content to our already vast Hindi catalogue is a natural progression. Considering the huge improvement in the quality of Punjabi films being produced today, they are appealling to a much wider audience. We are excited to provide to our 18 million viewers across India, Pakistan, Canada, Australia & NZ, UK, US and Middle East with better, newer and fresher Punjabi content,” said Spuul India CEO Rajiv Vaidya.
It also exclusively showcased Jimmy Shergill’s Vaisakhi List for the first 2 months of its digital release.
The other popular & highest grossing titles in the Spuul catalogue are Jatt & Juliet 1&2, animated blockbuster Chaar Sahibzaade.
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.
