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Initial release | December 12, 2012 |
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Stable release(s) | |
Operating system | Android, iOS |
Available in | 9 languages |
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List of languages
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Type | Instant messaging, voice over IP |
License | Freeware |
Hike Messenger (stylized as hike messenger) is a cross-platform instant messaging service for smartphones that use the internetfor communication. In addition to text messaging, users can send each other graphical stickers, emoticons, images, videos, audios, files, voice messages, contacts and user location.
Hike was launched on 12 December 2012 and raised its first round of funding of $7 million from Bharti SoftBank in April 2013. Hike is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and SoftBank. On 16 August 2016 Hike raised $175 million in a new round of funding led by Tencent & Foxconn. After raising this round Hike Messenger reached the valuation of $1.4 Billion. Hike's founder is Kavin Bharti Mittal.
History
Hike Messenger is an Indian messaging app. Launched on 12 December 2012, Hike attained 15 million users in February 2014 and raised $14 million for its development. Over the next few months, the application introduced free text messaging across India, chat themes, updated stickers, hidden chats and revamped user interface. In August 2014, Hike reached 35 million users and raised $65 million in a funding round led by Tiger Global.
Hike Messenger made its first acquisition in 2015, buying free voice-calling company Zip Phones, which allowed it to launch free app based calling services that are emerging as a key draw for users.
In 2015 Hike launched the "Great Indian Sticker Challenge" to invite designers to design new stickers. According to the company, 30% of the traffic comes from stickers.
In October 2015, the CEO of Hike announced that the user base of Hike had reached 70 million, with more than 20 billion messages shared each month. and in December according to hike blog hike is sharing over 1 billion messages every single day and 30 billion+ messages a month.[11] In January 2016, Hike crossed registered over 100 million users. "Crossing 100 million users is a milestone for us and we have achieved this magic number well ahead of our expectations," Hike Messenger founder and CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal said in a statement.`
In June 2017, Hike announced the launch of Hike 5.0 along with Hike Wallet. It became the first Indian messaging app to launch payments after this announcement. In addition to the Hike Wallet, Hike launched multiple new features including 10 new App Themes, a Night Mode and Magic Selfie. It also brought back its Timeline feature after multiple user requests.
Themes
Hike supports 2 way chat themes that a user can change according to their relationship with person or their mood. The option for chat themes are limited but one can set the theme with their own pictures. The app also allows users to set their own App Theme, letting users choose from 10 different inbuilt themes. Hike also announced the launch of Night Mode - an app theme to reduce strain on eyes in low light conditions.
Stickers
Apart from basic social messaging means like photos, videos, emoticons and audio files and emojis, hike has 20000+ graphical stickers. Many of the stickers pack can be used across different geographies but a lot of them are highly customized for Indian users. The stickers are available in 40+ Indian languages. Hike also has sticker suggestions where the application suggests the best reply for any sticker message. Apart from this, Hike allows users to "nudge", a feature used to ping the receiver. In September 2017, Hike launched personalised sticker packs for over 500 colleges across India.
Voice and video
In January 2015, hike introduced a voice calling feature for their users. The messenger provides free voice-calling over 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi across the globe in over 200 countries. In Sep 2015, hike launched free group calls with up to 100 people in a conference call.
In October 2016, hike introduced a Video calling feature for their users. The messenger provides free video-calling over 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi across the globe in over 200 countries. Hike has received more appreciations on this feature.
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