I have bad news if you were considering switching from WhatsApp to a Made in India chat app. In January, Hike Messenger, now known as Hike Sticker Chat, will be discontinued. Kavin Bharti Mittal, the founder and CEO of Hike, verified this development over the weekend on Twitter.
Hike Sticker Chat Shuts Down
Mittal updated the online community on the company’s future intentions via Twitter. Unfortunately, the Hike Sticker Chat app will be discontinued on January 14. Users have already been informed by the corporation of the shutdown, and the app will let you download your data.
In order to compete with WhatsApp’s expanding influence in India, The Hike Messenger was first introduced in 2012. It became one of the most widely used chat applications among millennials. It provided people in the area with sticker packs that were hip and original. Early in 2019, the messaging app was updated to include Hike Sticker Chat and provide users the option to make their own HikeMoji (similar to Bitmoji and Animoji). Mittal said in a tweet that the app has millions of users who spend around 35 minutes a day chatting with pals. But over the previous two years, the messaging app hasn’t been as popular as they had hoped.
India won t have its own messenger.
Global network effects are too strong (unless India bans Western companies)@telegram UX, Groups better than @signalapp
Both are very good. As entities they have the right incentives (more aligned with consumers) unlike FB products.
Kavin Bharti Mittal (kbm.eth) (@kavinbm) January 10, 2021
India won’t have a messenger of its own. Global network effects are too powerful, Mittal continued in a subsequent tweet. One of the well-known Made-in-India messaging apps, Hike Sticker Chat, is no longer available. The business is focusing on two additional platforms One is a social networking site for locals called Vibe by Hike, and the other is an online game called Rush by Hike.
Vibe by Hike
3/ HikeLand will now be Vibe by Hike ! pic.twitter.com/ZjPuQEZkoX
Kavin Bharti Mittal (@kavinbm) January 6, 2021
Hike is abandoning up on its goal of building a single, all-powerful app. Instead, it is creating two platforms around HikeMoji by leveraging the enthusiasm surrounding it. Hike has changed the name of HikeLand, the virtual hangout area, to Vibe. To preserve the level of debate, it will be a community that accepts only approved posts. More than 100,000 applications have been submitted to the company, and HikeLand is already the scene of more than 300,000 talks. In a setting where you are identified by your HikeMoji avatar, Mittal seems to see a lot more promise.
Rush by Hike
6/ Today, we re also excited to announce a brand new product Rush by hike. pic.twitter.com/TpXm20Yazg
Kavin Bharti Mittal (@kavinbm) January 6, 2021
The second platform, Rush by Hike, is a quick-start gaming app that enables users to connect with friends online and play simple games like Carrom and Ludo. This software tries to capture India’s competitive spirit by allowing users to Play, Compete, and Win! With just the Carrom game included, the business initially released the app on iOS. The Android app will be available soon.
Hike Messenger Alternatives
Hike Sticker Chat, formerly known as Hike Messenger, is being shut down at a time when WhatsApp is under fire for changing its privacy standards. In order to enhance how businesses use its platform, the messaging juggernaut now intends to begin sharing user data with its parent Facebook. In our in-depth video located here, you can see what information WhatsApp may access:
Additionally, if you want to stop using WhatsApp and are looking for Hike Sticker Chat alternatives, you can refer to our helpful guide right here. Even a comparison of WhatsApp to Telegram and Signal has been provided. Which texting service will you switch to then? Do you intend to continue using Vibe by Hike or WhatsApp? Tell us in the comments section below.
