Following this, Reliance Jio made a new bet by launching JioPhone. In response to this, companies like Airtel and Vodafone have also started providing cheap smartphones to customers by offering cashback. But in collaboration with Airtel’s Hike, the company has gone a step further. The company has created a platform that allows you to watch match results and read news without access to the Internet. It was called “Total”. Not only that, you will also be able to enjoy the benefits of phone recharge and many other internet services without activating data.
When the Hike Total platform was unveiled, the company said that from March 1, Hike Total will be available on smartphones such as Intex Aqua Lions N1, Aqua Lions T1, Aqua T1 Lite and Karbonn A40 Indian. Recently, we also reviewed Intex Aqua Lions and told you in detail about this product. Now we will introduce you to the disadvantages and advantages of the Hike Total platform. What was our experience using this platform? I’ll share this too.
What is a general hike?
The user will be able to use all the services of Hike Total by logging in with his phone number. On Hike Total, you can enjoy services like messaging, news, astrology, phone recharge and money transfers without including data. This service, based on the USSD protocol, will be available to you without using your mobile operator’s data.
Hike Total is a custom version of Android just like Indus OS. Hike Total is a platform specifically designed for the Indian market. It supports 8 Indian languages and is capable of providing some services without an internet connection.
This is the user interface of Hike Total.
Hike doesn’t look much like Android Nougat’s UI, it looks a lot like stock Android. The left home screen contains offline applications. It also includes some important apps like Bus Ticket and Game of the Day. You can also try the app by selecting it from the pop-up window. To use the offline app, you need to verify your Airtel SIM card by creating a Total account.
Only star apps can work offline
You will be able to use the apps in which the star appears offline. Currently, apps like Cricket, Recharge, Hike Wallet, Rail Info, News, Messaging, Offline UPI, Total Data Pack are available for offline use. The company says more apps will be part of it soon.
Data package for Hike Total
Hike Total phone data packages vary and come with deep discounts, but they are currently only valid for Airtel users. There is a tariff of 1 rupee for 20 MB for 1 day. Whereas for 1 GB of data you will have to spend Rs 49. Its validity period is 28 days. However, it is unclear how long these data bundle prices will remain valid. To purchase these packages, the only option left is Hike Wallet. You will get a bonus of up to Rs 200 after completing the KYC process. You will need to provide Aadhar card, driving license or any government certified ID.
our experience
This was information related to important aspects of this platform. Now let’s talk about the experience of using it. We inform you that this Hike Total platform was created by Hike. In such a situation, when you buy an Intex or Karbonn Mobiles phone, you will only get an Airtel SIM card. Offline applications on the Hike platform will work without the Internet. But this does not mean that Airtel services will be free. This means that you will have to regularly top up your balance every month.
Hike Total has tried to capture the pulse of Indian users. The company has been very careful in choosing categories like messaging, cricket and astrology for offline use. Because we have a habit of chatting on the phone. Can’t survive without cricket and doesn’t want to be the first to know his fate.
The logos of all applications associated with the Hike Total platform clearly indicate their identity. In such a situation, you will not have any problem accessing these applications. They are also easy to use. Nothing seems strange. Now let’s take just the cricket app. Click on it and the cricket results will start appearing. You can switch pages by swiping the screen and the results of different matches will appear on the screen.
Through the Hike Messenger app, users will be able to chat with friends on Hike. It also works like a regular SMS app. Before sending a message, it checks for the presence of other users in the Campaign. After that, it switches to the chat interface. Hike Messenger also works offline. Thanks to this, you can send text messages and stickers without an Internet connection. If you want to send images or any large file, you will have to purchase data packages.
In Horoscope, you can find out your horoscope by entering your date of birth, and the option to view your horoscope is also available. The news section will appeal to many users. Because through this application you can keep abreast of events in the country and the world. We’ve used all of these apps. At times the response took a while, probably due to the smartphone. But there are no serious complaints about the platform.
These things apply to the offline model. But the point is not that the company decided to give everything to customers for free. The company has also released special data packages. There is a tariff of 1 rupee for 20 MB for 1 day. Whereas for 1 GB of data you will have to spend Rs 49. Its validity period is 28 days. To do this you need to use Hike Wallet. Initially, users registering on this platform will get Hike Money up to Rs 200. By the way, we received 60 rupees for registration. I hope you have better luck. Verification of the wallet is required and we have already told you about this.
There is no doubt that the experiment that Airtel has done with the Hike platform is unique. The only downside is that the phone the company has chosen is not entirely suitable for this type of use. If users who have been using regular phones so far switch to this phone, they will not find anything strange. But for users like us, who are already accustomed to better smartphones, a lot can irritate us. And this will also affect the image of the Hike Total platform. But Airtel and Hike’s shared platform is a commendable achievement, whatever its future holds.
