No offence with them but I've been spammed like anything by them. It has happened with lot of my friends. When they install app, it sends texts to ALL contacts without permission prompting to install the app!
And this has been #1 reason I did not install it.
On Data and Airtel, can't blame you for thinking that way. Most of the industry is filled with those kinds. Airtel and BSB are different companies. No such thing happening.
(Creator @hikeapp)
However, I don't think they will get much users. Most of people around me are entrenched in WhatsApp and those who want to try something new get Cubie(I use it as well, it does not spam!)
We learn quick :)
(Creator @hikeapp)
My cynical side worries this is some kind of concession to the wireless carriers that want to easedrop on traffic easily. I hope that's not the case! Anyone know?
No ulterior motives. :)
Eventually we'd like to have it all across.
(Creator @hikeapp)
We'll start looking at that once we hit a certain critical mass, but in much smarter ways. Right now, all focus is on growth and engagement.
PS: I'm the growth hacker at hike.
Hike wants to create an app that goes back to the SMS model where they pay the charges, not the users. They use a mass SMS gateway which is much cheaper. Using mass gateway also means the users must opt out of "Do not disturb" registry, which opens gates for more spam.
Interesting part is, it's backed by a large telco in India[1].
[1] "a 50:50 Bharti Softbank joint venture"
Hence, if we are to achieve our goal of enabling universal communication among all our users, we have to offer SMS as a fallback channel.
And it also gives us a massive differentiating edge over other apps, so why not.
The whole "users opting out of the DND registry" is something that's controlled by TRAI, the Telecom regulatory body of India. We have no control over it.
It's not the ideal flow we'd like to offer users, but we've to work with what we have.
We're funded by the group which also backs a large telco in India, but we're separate companies.
Short answer: No. We won't monetize through ads
(Creator @hikeapp)
