WhatsApp starts digital payment tests in India

WhatsApp starts digital payment tests in India

WhatsApp has begun testing a new payments feature in India that will allow people to send money to other WhatsApp users, excluding merchant accounts. The feature is currently in beta, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans, but hasn’t been publicly announced because it’s not widely available at this time. The company has been […]

Chat app Line announces plan for cryptocurrency services, loans and insurance

Chat app Line announces plan for cryptocurrency services, loans and insurance

Line, the messaging app with around 200 million monthly users, is embracing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to fend off increased competition from Facebook and others. The Japanese company has announced the creation of a new financial services division which will spearhead a move into cryptocurrencies and other services including loans and insurance. Line already operates […]

WhatsApp introduces separate app for businesses

WhatsApp introduces separate app for businesses

WhatsApp has launched a separate app designed for use by small businesses to more easily connect with customers. WhatsApp Business adds key features like dedicated business profiles for details like email address, business description, store addresses, and website; smart messaging tools like greetings, quick replies, and away messages; and metrics for how many messages were […]

Line partners with Folio for an in-app investment management portal

Line partners with Folio for an in-app investment management portal

Line Corporation, the Japanese subsidiary of South Korean internet company Naver Corporation, has entered into a ‘capital alliance’ with investment management firm Folio, which will see its service integrated into the Line messaging app. Following a Line investment in Folio, the pair will work to implement the service on the Line app – which now […]

Skype introduces Private Conversations with end-to-end encryption

Skype introduces Private Conversations with end-to-end encryption

Skype, Microsoft’s popular VoIP platform, is introducing end-to-end encryption to text messages, audio calls and file transfers made using the service, with the latest ‘Insider’ version of the platform adding support for the Signal protocol. Signal is already used by WhatsApp, Google Allo and Facebook Messenger to encrypt in-app discussions, as well as being available as […]

Photo app VSCO introduces a private messaging feature

Photo app VSCO introduces a private messaging feature

 Photo editing and sharing platform VSCO has announced the launch of private messages in an effort to encourage people to interact with each other on its network. As the company describes it, users can “exchange editing tips and tricks, share compelling profiles and published content, and receive creative feedback from peers.” Anyone you follow […]

Jongla unveil social messaging SDK with a fully-hosted cloud service

Jongla unveil social messaging SDK with a fully-hosted cloud service

Jongla, the Finnish mobile messaging innovator, announced that they will start offering their messaging technology for other companies and app developers. Known earlier for their world’s lightest messenger, Jongla, that gained popularity in emerging markets, the company now offers their latest innovations as a light messaging SDK and fully-hosted cloud service for Android and iOS. […]

Hike unveils new Blue Packets gifting initiative

Hike unveils new Blue Packets gifting initiative

Homegrown messaging platform Hike is intensifying its marketing strategy in India. It recently beat Whatsapp to integrating wallet payments to push Digital India initiative. It has now introduced Bae Buddy Bro, a social experience to mark the occasion of Friendship Day and Rakhsa Bandhan. If the users’ sentiments (the options are bae, buddy or bro) […]