Kik Messenger Gets Pictures. Groups. Funding And Comes To SXSW 2011 With Mobility Blazing.
Kik released a new version of Kik Messenger today for iOS and Android OS based devices. The new Kik Messenger features real-time group chat and picture sharing. Kik’s group chat allows to add anyone to a on going conversation on the fly and up to ten people could be included in a group.
“Kik is known for having the best one-to-one messaging experience and we are now extending that to groups,” Livingston stated. “With other group messaging applications, a large group often becomes nothing more than a distribution list. Kik Messenger creates a dynamic interaction where people can easily enter and exit the conversation as needed, just like in real life.”Kik Messenger’s new picture sharing features allows users to share what they’re seeing with the click of a button. Other picture sharing applications are essentially a file transfer, while Kik’s photo sharing capability is built around the idea of visually connecting people in real time. “It puts you right there with them, letting you see what they see as it happens,” Livingston added.
In addition to the new features, Kik will be a highly visible presence at the upcoming SXSW conference this week. Kik will be offering a free real-time concierge service for conference goers. Users can add “SXSW” to their Kik contacts and ask any question they might have, from finding times for panels or to check which restaurants are open late
Now to news about funding , Kik Interactive has closed an $8 million round of Series A funding with RRE Ventures, Spark Capital, and Union Square Ventures. Kik also announced that Fred Wilson (Union Square Ventures) and Adam Ludwin (RRE Ventures) are joining the company’s Board of Directors. The new funding gets the company ready for its next phase of development, which includes the launch of new group messaging and picture sharing features mentioned above. It is expected to increase the current user base of 3 million or there about in near future.
“Kik Messenger took the mobile chat world by storm four months ago, gaining more than one million users in its first 15 days, and our growth continues to be strong,” said Ted Livingston, founder and chief executive officer of Kik Interactive. “This round of funding allows us to continue perfecting our Kik Messenger application and other services, which we believe will help define the future of mobile communications.”“Kik is a fast, simple, and elegant solution to cross device mobile messaging which we think is one of the most exciting investment opportunities right now, We believe the Kik team has shown that they understand how to deliver the right set of features in the right package, and we are excited about working with them to build the mobile messaging marketplace.” said Fred Wilson, partner at Union Square Ventures
Kik Messenger
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