Elon Musk’s X has released XChat as a dedicated messenger to take on the likes of WhatsApp, Telegram and China’s WeChat service. Here is all you need to know. 

Elon Musk’s X has released XChat as a dedicated messenger to take on the likes of WhatsApp, Telegram and China’s WeChat service. Here is all you need to know. Elon Musk’s ambition with X is to make it an all-in-one app and his next step on the road to be a WeChat competitor is XChat. Launched as the dedicated messaging platform for users on X, XChat focuses on a couple of security features that could possibly lure more users to try out the service. 

In an official post on X, Musk revealed that XChat features Bitcoin-style encryption, disappearing messages and cross-platform audio and video calls. The app also allows users to share files with fellow XChat users, thus indicating its intent to take on the giants of this industry, including WhatsApp and Telegram. 

“All new XChat is rolling out with encryption, vanishing messages and the ability to send any kind of file. Also, audio/video calling,” writes the Tesla CEO.

Musk says that XChat is based on Rust, which is a programming language that encourages speed and security. The language also employs a Bitcoin-like encryption system, thus allowing XChat to offer secure messaging encryption. The provision of end-to-end encryption puts XChat in the same league as popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram. 

How to access XChat?

XChat is currently in the beta process and hence, is available to select users and developers at the time. Additionally, XChat is available only for paid subscribers of X. What remains to be seen is whether X opens it up for free users with a limited set of features to expand its user base. Will Grok AI also be integrated with the messaging app in the future just like Meta and WhatsApp?

Based on Musk’s post, it seems that XChat will be available on Android, iOS and web platforms. 

Source: financialexpress.com