Hike Messenger launches "Hike Direct" without Internet

Indian instant messaging platform Hike has launched ‘Hike Direct’ a feature that allows functions such as chat, sticker exchange, sharing photos and heavy files of any type, without the Internet or incurring data charges.

                        Hike Direct allows mobile phones to connect directly with one another within a 100 meter radius completely by passing the telecom networks.

            The latest feature will be available via a latest version of hike, which is available free on the Google Play store starting today. Hike Direct on iOS and Windows will come later this year.

Hike direct has been built on breakthrough technology that adds a whole new dimension to messaging enabling hikers to chat and share files with their friends without the Internet. Data or no data, Hike will always work," Kavin Mittal, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hike Messenger, said here at the launch.

    Kavin is the son of Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal. The company has raised $86 million so far from Bharti SoftBank and Tiger Global.

Mittal said on an average, a user on Hike spends over 140 minutes per week and 20 billion messages are being exchanged per month by the consumers.