Instant
messaging app n-gage launched its service in India to allow users to share
content with competing platforms like WhatsApp and Viber, a move aimed at
tapping into the booming mobile Internet user base in India.
"Developing
the app has been a two year journey. The platform ensures security of users
through the various features and at the same time, availability of the desktop
version ensures that those without smartphones can use the platform,"
n-gage founder and CEO Ajit Patel told PTI. He, however, declined to comment on
the number of users the company aims to garner.
According
to reports, WhatsApp tops the list of instant messaging (IM) apps in India.
India accounts for a huge chunk of its about one billion global user base. The
reports suggest that mobile chatting apps like Hike, LINE and Viber have grown
manifold in the last few years, in line with the burgeoning mobile Internet
user vbase and falling data charges.
Similar
to rival messaging apps like WhatsApp and Viber, n-gage's platform allows users
to send and receive messages, pictures and videos. In addition, it allows users
to send encrypted messages to others (password protected or timed), delete
messages after they are sent as well as disable others from taking screenshots
of conversations.
"The
messages can be shared on other platforms as well. However, the receiver can
respond only if they have n-gage," he said. Asked about the monetisation
model, Patel said the focus right now is on getting users over revenues. The
company is also working on bringing in a version for enterprises for employee communication.
Users can
also make video calls with n-gage across other platforms be it one-on-one or
group video calls. You can create groups of up to 300 participants from their
contact lists to start multiple conversations under one group. In addition, it
also comes with a ‘Translate’ feature which allows users to instantly translate their incoming
and outgoing messages in over 45 languages.
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