Chikka releases Version 5 on Beta
MANILA, Philippines – Chikka’s latest version of its flagship, Chikka Text Messenger, is now live on beta for its downloadable client and web-based versions. Chikka Messenger now allows Philippine mobile subscribers to avail of one Peso mobile replies during off peak hours and bucket and unlimited reply plans daily. The company also updated the instant mobile messenger’s look and feel which users can customize with new themes.
Chikka: 10 and now
“It’s 2010 and Chikka is more relevant than ever. We observe for example that a lot of casual messaging previously exchanged via text has shifted to social networking sites such as Facebook. Our latest version combines the cool convenience of sending an IM message online with the personal warmth and urgency of receiving that message as SMS, instantly read on one’s phone,” said CIO Dennis Mendiola to media and bloggers last Aug. 17 as he gave a sneak peek to version 5.
The event was hosted by Gabe Mercado and it featured celebrities such as Kaye Abad, Guji Lorenzana, Melissa Ricks, and Dimples Romana. Guests had the chance to interact with the celebrity guests by sending them messages via Chikka, enabling them to be textmates with Kaye, Guji, Melissa, and Dimples during the event.
“I use Chikka to text my relatives abroad,” Kaye Abad said. “It’s very convenient and easy to use.”
“Chikka is a big part of a lot of Filipinos’ lives, particularly those living overseas,” Melissa Ricks stated. “I get to text my titos and titas abroad and I can be sure that they’ll get the message no matter where they are or what they’re doing.”
All About Chikka Version 5
Since the first version of Chikka Messenger, replying to a Chikka message from a mobile phone has always cost mobile subscribers in the Philippines P2.50 for every message sent. With the release of Version 5, Chikka renews its commitment to providing greater value for money to its users. Chikka’s latest version features P1 replies during off-peak hours when a lot of Global Filipinos are driving mobile message traffic to friends and loved ones in the Philippines. Unlimited text and bucket packages akin to popular UNLI packages being offered by Philippine telcos are also now available all day.
“In 2010, there were over 16 million visits to the Chikka site from 215 countries during a one month period,” CIO Dennis Mendiola said. “Even though there are a lot of technological advancements in the communications industry, Chikka still remains to be the preferred communications tool for Global Pinoys.” Chikka version 5 now allows mobile users to avail of bucket pricing for Globe, Smart, and Sun mobile subscribers starting at P5 for 10 mobile replies to a Chikka message; and also P1 replies during off peak hours (11 p.m. to 9 a.m. for Globe and Sun subscribers; 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Smart subscribers).
“We believe that Chikka’s latest version will truly benefit millions of Filipinos worldwide who keep in touch with their loved ones back home,” Mendiola said. “We are fully aware of the rapidly changing communications environment and continuously evolving need to stay in touch. Our response is the latest version of the Chikka Text Messenger.”
What’s next for chikka
“CTM is more than just another version of Chikka,” said Mendiola. “It’s the result of a lot of work that happened in the back-end with a major re-architecture. This allows the company to pursue a technology roadmap that will very soon enable Chikka for any platform and operating system, for any IM aggregator, and also for any mobile device.”
A 3rd party developer has already released an iPhone App for Chikka. Chikka for its part is set to unveil its own app for the iPhone, as well as for Blackberry and Android devices. The company is hard at work on making Chikka accessible on all communications platforms, and forging partnerships with other instant messaging applications, making it even more convenient for users to keep in touch.
