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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
XChat launch: Elon Musk to release app this week, will it replace WhatsApp?
Elon Musk unveils XChat, an encrypted messaging and calling feature rolling out on X this week. With end-to-end encryption, file sharing, and vanishing messages, XChat aims to rival WhatsApp and advance Musk's vision of turning X into an 'everything app". Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Encrypted Messaging, File Sharing, and More Signal-Like Privacy, Bitcoin-Style Security? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Step Toward the 'Everything App' Tech World Watches Closely FAQs What is XChat? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads When will XChat be available? In a fresh push toward transforming his social media platform X into a comprehensive digital ecosystem, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced that XChat, a new encrypted messaging and calling service, will begin rolling out to users this week. The development marks a significant expansion of X's capabilities, raising questions about whether Musk's platform could become a viable competitor to WhatsApp, the dominant player in the messaging space, as mentioned in a report by announcement, made by Musk via a post on X on Monday, outlined key features of XChat, including end-to-end encryption, vanishing messages, the ability to share 'any kind of file,' and the option to make audio or video calls without the need for a phone new functionalities will be layered onto the platform's existing direct messaging service, which originally stemmed from its predecessor, stated the rollout will begin 'this week,' barring any technical issues. Reports indicate that some paying subscribers on X Premium have already begun accessing early iterations of the XChat service, suggesting limited testing is underway.A notable emphasis has been placed on privacy and encryption. Musk previously said he aimed to make direct messaging on X mirror the encrypted platform Signal, known for its strong security protocols. In his Monday post, Musk mentioned that XChat would adopt 'Bitcoin-style encryption'.However, this has drawn scrutiny from tech experts, as Bitcoin does not use encryption in a conventional sense but instead relies on cryptography and digital signatures to secure its blockchain Musk's intent appears to be reinforcing privacy standards that go beyond those of many mainstream messaging apps. He has also previously criticised Meta-owned WhatsApp, alleging it lacks sufficient user security—a claim WhatsApp has repeatedly denied, as mentioned in a report by introduction of XChat is part of Musk's broader vision to transform X into an 'everything app,' a goal he articulated before acquiring Twitter in a $44 billion deal in October 2022. The idea draws inspiration from Chinese super apps like WeChat, which combine messaging, social networking, payments, shopping, and has already initiated steps toward this model. In January, he announced a partnership with Visa to enable peer-to-peer payments on X, putting it in direct competition with services like Zelle and Venmo. The platform has also integrated Grok, an AI-powered chatbot, as part of its growing suite of features.X CEO Linda Yaccarino has echoed Musk's ambitions, calling the rollout of financial and messaging tools central to the company's launch of XChat could signal a new era for digital communications, especially if it manages to scale and attract a global user base. While WhatsApp currently dominates the messaging market with over 2 billion active users, XChat's promise of integrated functionality, privacy, and a social media backbone could position it as a disruptive force—if executed now, all eyes are on Musk and whether XChat, poised to debut this week, can indeed carve out a meaningful space in the saturated messaging app is a new encrypted messaging and calling service introduced by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), offering secure text, audio, video, and file-sharing to Musk, the rollout will begin this week. Some X Premium subscribers have reportedly started seeing early access.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
XChat launch: Elon Musk to release app this week, will it replace WhatsApp?
Encrypted Messaging, File Sharing, and More Signal-Like Privacy, Bitcoin-Style Security? Live Events A Step Toward the 'Everything App' Tech World Watches Closely FAQs What is XChat? When will XChat be available? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a fresh push toward transforming his social media platform X into a comprehensive digital ecosystem, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced that XChat, a new encrypted messaging and calling service, will begin rolling out to users this week. The development marks a significant expansion of X's capabilities, raising questions about whether Musk's platform could become a viable competitor to WhatsApp, the dominant player in the messaging space, as mentioned in a report by announcement, made by Musk via a post on X on Monday, outlined key features of XChat, including end-to-end encryption, vanishing messages, the ability to share 'any kind of file,' and the option to make audio or video calls without the need for a phone new functionalities will be layered onto the platform's existing direct messaging service, which originally stemmed from its predecessor, stated the rollout will begin 'this week,' barring any technical issues. Reports indicate that some paying subscribers on X Premium have already begun accessing early iterations of the XChat service, suggesting limited testing is underway.A notable emphasis has been placed on privacy and encryption. Musk previously said he aimed to make direct messaging on X mirror the encrypted platform Signal, known for its strong security protocols. In his Monday post, Musk mentioned that XChat would adopt 'Bitcoin-style encryption'.However, this has drawn scrutiny from tech experts, as Bitcoin does not use encryption in a conventional sense but instead relies on cryptography and digital signatures to secure its blockchain Musk's intent appears to be reinforcing privacy standards that go beyond those of many mainstream messaging apps. He has also previously criticised Meta-owned WhatsApp, alleging it lacks sufficient user security—a claim WhatsApp has repeatedly denied, as mentioned in a report by introduction of XChat is part of Musk's broader vision to transform X into an 'everything app,' a goal he articulated before acquiring Twitter in a $44 billion deal in October 2022. The idea draws inspiration from Chinese super apps like WeChat, which combine messaging, social networking, payments, shopping, and has already initiated steps toward this model. In January, he announced a partnership with Visa to enable peer-to-peer payments on X, putting it in direct competition with services like Zelle and Venmo. The platform has also integrated Grok, an AI-powered chatbot, as part of its growing suite of features.X CEO Linda Yaccarino has echoed Musk's ambitions, calling the rollout of financial and messaging tools central to the company's launch of XChat could signal a new era for digital communications, especially if it manages to scale and attract a global user base. While WhatsApp currently dominates the messaging market with over 2 billion active users, XChat's promise of integrated functionality, privacy, and a social media backbone could position it as a disruptive force—if executed now, all eyes are on Musk and whether XChat, poised to debut this week, can indeed carve out a meaningful space in the saturated messaging app is a new encrypted messaging and calling service introduced by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), offering secure text, audio, video, and file-sharing to Musk, the rollout will begin this week. Some X Premium subscribers have reportedly started seeing early access.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How streaming giants like Netflix, Disney, and Paramount reacted to Trump's 100% tariff announcement on foreign films
President Trump announced that 'all movies produced in foreign countries' entering the U.S. will now face a 100% tariff, citing concerns over their potential threat to 'national cohesion and security.' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Trump's Tariff Push Shakes Streaming Industry Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Market Capitalization Loss Tops $20 Billion Tariff Enforcement Raises Complex Questions Netflix's Global Footprint Now a Risk Factor Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs What did President Trump announce about foreign-produced films? How did this announcement affect Netflix? Streaming giant Netflix witnessed a staggering market setback on Monday as shares plunged sharply in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping announcement to impose 100% tariffs on foreign-produced move, framed by the administration as a national security measure, triggered ripples across the broader entertainment sector and cast uncertainty over the future of global media a Sunday evening statement, President Trump declared that 'any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands' would now be subjected to a 100% tariff, citing what he termed as their risk to 'national cohesion and security', as quoted in a report by abrupt announcement immediately impacted investor confidence, with Netflix shares falling 4%, touching $1,113 — marking the steepest one-day decline for the company since media conglomerates also took a hit, with Warner Bros. Discovery down 3%, Disney and Paramount Global losing 2% each, and Comcast (parent of Universal Pictures) slipping 1%, far outpacing the modest decline in the S&P 500 index, as mentioned in a report by most striking number from the day's fallout was the $20.4 billion loss in Netflix's market capitalization, putting its single-day decline on par with the entire valuation of Warner Bros. expressed concerns about how deeply the newly announced Netflix tariffs could erode earnings, especially considering the company's heavy dependence on international physical goods that are taxed at ports of entry, films and streaming content operate within a service-based model, often involving international financing, co-productions, and digital transmission across warned that the proposed movie tariffs would be complicated to enforce.'Is it limited to films alone, or does it include streaming series, visual effects, or international studio partnerships?' questioned Henning Molfenter, a veteran producer with credits on The Pianist and Captain America: Civil War, speaking to entertainment to Ampere Analysis, more than 51% of Netflix's 2024 content expenditure was allocated to productions outside North approximately 70% of its paid subscribers are located outside the U.S. and hits like Squid Game (South Korea) and Bridgerton (UK) have played a crucial role in boosting Netflix's popularity both domestically and Sunday, Netflix was seen as a relatively safe bet in an otherwise volatile tech landscape.A recent Bank of America note had even titled its earnings analysis 'Predictable in an unpredictable world,' citing the platform's consistent returns — a 30% stock gain in 2025 prior to this tariff Trump announced a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States, citing concerns about their impact on 'national cohesion and security.'Netflix shares dropped 4% on Monday, marking the steepest one-day decline since April. The company also saw a loss of $20.4 billion in market capitalization.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Baby Bonus in the U.S.: How much could it cost and will eligibility extend beyond new mothers?
A Response to Demographic Decline Live Events Financial Impact: Could Reach Nearly $18 Billion Annually Eligibility Criteria Remain Undefined Broader Policy Push on Family Growth FAQs What is the Baby Bonus proposal? Who would receive the $5,000 bonus? A proposed 'Baby Bonus' of $5,000 per child is under consideration by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump , as the government explores incentives to counter the country's record-low fertility initiative, though in its preliminary stages, could have significant fiscal implications, potentially costing the federal government billions annually if widely proposed bonus would provide $5,000 to American mothers upon childbirth, functioning either as a direct payment or as a supplement to the existing child tax credit Trump, when asked about the initiative on Tuesday, responded positively, stating, 'It sounds like a good idea to me', as quoted in a report by U.S. recorded just over 3.59 million births in 2023, the lowest number in recent history, as per the Centers for Disease Control and administration sees the proposed incentive as a possible countermeasure to the ongoing demographic decline, particularly among women aged 20 to 39—a group that has seen sharp fertility rate reductions in recent years due to economic pressures, delayed family planning, and healthcare the proposal become law and apply universally, estimates suggest the Baby Bonus could cost the U.S. government approximately $17.9 billion per year, based on the 2023 birth the final cost would vary annually, directly tied to the national birth funding source for the program remains unclear. Officials have floated the idea of reallocating resources from the Department of Government Efficiency, which has enacted deep cuts across federal economic advisers have raised concerns about potential inflationary effects and long-term budgetary present, no formal guidelines have been released detailing eligibility standards for the is presumed that the primary condition would be U.S. citizenship and the act of giving birth, but officials have not confirmed whether there would be income thresholds, residency durations, or citizenship verification protocols Speaker Mike Johnson referred to the concept as a 'creative idea,' emphasizing the need for further legislative President JD Vance, who has long advocated for expanded child tax credits, endorsed the $5,000 amount in principle, stating that Congress would be responsible for determining the final framework, as mentioned in the USA Today isn't the first time the Trump administration has hinted at financial incentives for families. In early 2025, the president backed a proposal to provide $5,000 payments to taxpaying households, though it did not his 2024 campaign, Trump often called for a 'new baby boom,' tying population growth to national advisor Elon Musk, who has voiced concerns about 'civilizational collapse' due to falling birth rates, is believed to be a key influence behind the push. Musk, himself a father of over a dozen children, has framed the bonus as part of a broader cultural and economic Baby Bonus is a proposed initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration that would provide a $5,000 benefit for each newborn child. It's designed as a financial incentive to encourage higher birth rates in response to the country's demographic specific eligibility criteria have not been finalized, it is expected that American mothers who give birth would be the primary recipients. The bonus could be distributed as a direct payment or added to the existing child tax credit.
