Global cross-platform instant messaging app continues record viral growth
WATERLOO, ON, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Kik Messenger, a free, cross-platform mobile instant messaging service, has gone viral. Yesterday, the app attracted 150,000 new subscribers worldwide, accelerating five days of exponential growth and possibly setting a new record for app adoption in a single day.
"The sudden surge in Kik's popularity is driving what may be the fastest-ever growth of any mobile app," said Ted Livingston, President and CEO, Kik Interactive, Inc. "We're both thrilled and overwhelmed by the continuing rush of new users."
The app, which was re-launched on Oct. 21 with an upgraded platform, has grown from just 30,000 users a week ago to 450,000 yesterday (see growth chart at http://twitpic.com/33l4zr). As of noon today, the growth rate is already double what it was yesterday. Usage peaked yesterday at 1 million messages an hour, and is on track to be even higher today.
The continuing viral growth forced Kik to suspend downloads last night and again tonight so that servers can be upgraded to accommodate future new users while maintaining high service levels. Service for existing users remains uninterrupted during the upgrades.
About Kik Messenger
Kik Messenger is the only cross-platform instant messaging app that provides message receipts similar to those available with BlackBerry Messenger. Receipts tell users when messages are sent, delivered and read, and when friends are typing a reply.
With lightning-fast delivery, every message and message receipt appears in real-time. This makes messaging with Kik feel almost like a real conversation.
Other cross-platform mobile IM apps are more like regular, plain texting; none offer message receipts, nor Kik's speed and reliability.
Get Kik-ing Now
Kik Messenger can be downloaded on your mobile device at www.kik.com/m. It's free.
Kik works with all iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch's, most BlackBerry devices, and all Android devices - anywhere in the world. All you need is a mobile data plan. Each Kik message uses only a tiny amount of data - less than 1Kb per message.
About Kik
Kik (www.kik.com) is all about sharing and connecting. Kik Messenger is the foundation for the unfolding Kik community, which will also include music, pictures and video. Originally called Unsynced, Kik was started in January 2009 by a team of students at the University of Waterloo. The company's founders are veterans of mobile and software technologies, and mobile computing software strategy. Kik is based in Waterloo, Ont.
For further information:
Don Hogarth
[email protected]
(416) 565-8920
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