Kik Messenger

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Kik Messenger
Developer(s) Kik Interactive
Initial release October 19, 2010 (2010-10-19)
Stable release 6.6
Development status Active
Operating system iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry, Symbian and any smartphone
Available in English
Type Instant Messaging Client
License Proprietary freeware
Website www.kik.com

Kik Messenger is an instant messaging application for mobile devices. The app is available on most iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Symbian operating systems free of charge.[1] Kik Messenger is similar to BlackBerry's Messenger, and iPhone's iMessage.[2] Kik uses a smartphone's data plan or Wi-Fi to transmit and receive messages, a feature that appeals to individuals looking to avoid text messaging rates set by phone service providers.[3] Kik offers swift text messaging service and also allows users to share photos, sketches, voice messages, and other content. Kik Messenger requires users to register a username as form of identification.

History

Founded in 2009, Kik Interactive is the work of a group of students from the University of Waterloo who wished to create new technologies to be used on mobile smartphones, which they believe are the future of computing and communication.[4] Kik Messenger is the first app developed by Kik. A beta version of Kik Messenger came out in April 2010.[4] Kik Messenger was released on October 19, 2010 by Kik Interactive.[5][6] It took only 15 days for Kik Messenger to reach one million user registrations, with Twitter being credited as a catalyst for the new application's popularity.[7]

On November 24, 2010, Research In Motion removed Kik Messenger from BlackBerry App World and limited the functionality of the software for its users.[8] It also sued the company for copyright infringement.[9] In October 2013, Blackberry and Kik settled the lawsuit, with the terms undisclosed.[10]

On March 7, 2011, Kik announced $8 million in Series A funding by three venture capital firms – RRE Ventures, Spark Capital, and Union Square Ventures. It also announced that Fred Wilson of USV and Adam Ludwin of RRE Ventures would join the company's board of directors.[11] Early 2012 saw a great increase in the number of Kik users, with 450,000 people downloading the app in a single day. Another landmark was reached in April 2012 with Kik users reaching the 10 million mark. Kik Messenger became the top-downloaded free social app in iTunes in the United States in July 2012.[4] As of April 11, 2013, there were a total of 50 million unique users registered.[12]

On April 22, 2013, Kik announced $19.5 million in Series B funding by led by Foundation Capital and including RRE Ventures, Spark Capital and Union Square Ventures. The Waterloo-based messaging app company will be using the funding to help continue to support its growth, and the new injection of cash comes at a crucial point for the company as it sets its sights on broader platform ambitions with the recently introduced Cards feature.[13]

Features

  • Free messaging across different operating systems
  • Individual or group chat
  • Picture mail
  • Allows users to see if a message is sending, delivered, or read
  • No messaging fees
  • Offline messages
  • Customizable notification options
  • Ad-free[2]
  • Sketch Content Message[14]
  • YouTube Content Messages[12]
  • Image Search Content Messages[12]
  • External API[15]
  • Have up to 9 people in a conversation including you

References

  1. ↑ .
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Eichelberg, Amy (2012-04-29). "Android App of the Day: Kik Messenger". The Unlockr. Retrieved 2013-02-11. 
  3. ↑ .
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 .
  5. ↑ "Kik Messenger Gets off to a Good Start After October Relaunch". ThirdAge. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  6. ↑ "KiK Messenger, free messages for Android, iPhone and BlackBerry". Dailyrumors.net. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  7. ↑ Motorola il iDEN. "Kik Messenger app blows past 1 million users". Intomobile.com. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  8. ↑ "RIM bloque une application concurrente A son service BlackBerry Messenger - ActualitAŠs Techno-AŠconomie - TAŠlAŠcoms et mobilitAŠ". Benefice-net.branchez-vous.com. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  9. ↑ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/the-inside-story-of-why-blackberry-is-failing/article14563602/comments/
  10. ↑ http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4146815-kik-eager-to-move-on-after-settling-spat-with-blackberry/
  11. ↑ TechChrunch. "Mobile Messaging Startup Kik Raises $8M; Launches Group Chat And Photo Sharing". TechChrunch. Retrieved 2010-03-08. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 .
  13. ↑ http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/22/kik-raises-19-5m-series-b-bets-on-its-cards-platform-play-to-take-on-whatsapp-and-others/
  14. ↑ .
  15. ↑ .

External links

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See also
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