Patanjali has recently launched a new swadeshi messaging application called Kimbho, to compete with the WhatsApp. The messaging app is listed on both Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, and offers features identical to WhatsApp.

India: Baba Ramdev's Patanjali has recently launched a new swadeshi messaging application called Kimbho, to compete with the Facebook owned WhatsApp. The messaging application has been launched after Patanjali’s forayed into the telecom sector with Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM cards with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL)

Patanjali’s spokesperson confirmed the launch of the Kimbho messaging app and said that the WhatsApp will now be given a stiff competition. The messaging app is listed on both Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. On the Play Store, the developer is listed as Patanjali Ayurveda, but on iOS the developer is Appdios.Inc. However, both apps have the same features, user interface and design.

Kimbho has similar features to WhatsApp. It allows users to send messages to individuals as well as create groups. The app also allows users to broadcast messages to multiple users simultaneously. Users can follow their favorite celebrity on the app and send doodles, features similar to Instagram or Snapchat. The app also supports video calling, voice calls and allows sharing of multimedia and stickers.

Kimbho, as explained by Ramdev’s spokesperson is a Sanskrit greeting meaning ‘what’s up’, is being called India’s “secure” alternative to Facebook-owned WhatsApp in wake of the recent privacy scare.

The launch of the beta version Wednesday was reportedly followed by 1.5 lakh downloads on the Google Play Store within a few hours. However, the surge reportedly led Patanjali to soon take it off the market, with the company claiming the launch was just meant to be a trial and the app wasn’t ready for the heavy traffic yet.

Meanwhile, after its launch a French hacker known by the pseudonym Elliot Alderson alleged that the poor security framework of Kimbho had allowed him to access all the conversations on the app.

Patanjali has said the app, with some “technical issues resolved”, was up for its final launch on 21 June. The company has clarified that any version currently available for download was a fake.

According to TechSci Research, the introduction of application like Kimbho in the market to compete with WhatsApp is expected to encourage other companies to launch their messaging services owing to which there is an opportunity for cloud service providers in India. The launch of Kimbho in India is likely to have a positive impact on the growth of OTT Market. Over The Top (OTT) is a solution that enables an individual or an enterprise to transfer content such as audio, video, text and images over the internet, without the involvement of any system operator or provider for distribution of content. Rising penetration of telecom network providers across the globe, improving broadband network infrastructure, growing number of platforms to access online content such as smartphones & tablets, desktops & laptops, smart TVs and gaming consoles, are driving global over the top market. Moreover, the launch is also expected to increase the market for data protection in India.

According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “Global Over The Top (OTT) Market, By Content Type (VoIP, Text & Media, Video), By Platform, By Deployment Model, By Service Type, By User Type, By Revenue Model, By End User, By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-2021”, global OTT market is projected to surpass $64.9 billion by 2021, on account of growing trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), rising adoption of cloud computing, expanding market for Internet of Things (IoT). Netflix accounted for the highest market share in global OTT market in 2015, and the company is anticipated to maintain its dominance in the coming years on account of growing video streaming business and rising number of partnerships of Netflix with various local content providers, globally. In 2015, media & entertainment sector was the largest end-user of OTT market. Increasing demand for online content such as online publishing, Internet TV, online advertising, and online short & long videos, is anticipated to fuel exchange of online content in media & entertainment sector, which is expected to translate into media & entertainment sector maintaining its dominance in the global OTT market during the forecast period.

According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “India Data Protection Market, By Component (Solutions Vs Services), By Deployment Mode (Cloud Vs On-Premises), By End-User (Government and Defense, BFSI, Healthcare, IT & Telecom, Consumer Goods and Retail, Education, Media and Entertainment & Others), Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 – 2023”, India data protection market is projected to grow at a double digit CAGR during 2018-2023. Increasing technological advancements, need for backup and recovery solutions, rising demand digitalization from SME’s and growing use of electronic health record for patient information is aiding India data protection market. Moreover, increasing demand for efficiency in process deployment, focus to reduce overall cost and high demand for adoption of manages and hosted services are some of the other factors, which are expected to propel the demand for data protection over the next five years.

According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “India Cloud Storage Market, By Type (Solution and Services), By Deployment Model (Public, Private and Hybrid Cloud), By Organization Size (Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises and Large Enterprises), By Vertical (Telecommunications & ITES, Manufacturing, BFSI’s, Healthcare & Life Sciences, etc.), By Company and By Geography, Forecast & Opportunities, 2023”, India Cloud Storage Market is expected to grow at a double digit CAGR during 2018-2023. The major factors attributing the growth of the market are growing technological advancements, growing industrialization and increasing adoption of digital business strategies in India. The organizations in India are assessing data center buildings that provides flexibility, agility and the scale desired for new application workloads. Moreover, India’s positive economic outlook, increasing expenditure on Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and growing propensity of cloud storage solutions and services will further drive the India Cloud Storage Market.

Please follow our LinkedIn and Twitter pages to get live updates on market research insights and analysis.