‘Hello’ is launched as a mobile only app.
AB Wire
Orkut Büyükkökten, creator of world’s first successful Social media platform Orkut, had developed a new social networking website after Google shut down its traditional network site in 2014.
The new internet-based website, named Hello, launched as a mobile only app available on Android and iOS is currently available in the following countries: US, Canada, Britain, France, Australia, Brazil, Ireland. Germany, Mexico and India are next on the list and the app should be available this month.
“hello connects us all. Think about it: you can say “hello” in any language and people will understand. “Hello” is probably the most widely spoken word in the world after “Okay.” Al’o, halo, āllo, alô, hallo, alló, hello. Fear and hatred have no place when you make such a simple and friendly gesture to someone else. So come join me, and make some new friends. Say hello, and love your world,” Büyükkökten wrote in a blog post.
The about page of the company says Hello Network has been founded by Orkut creator Büyükkökten, and a small group of ex-Google engineers. Hello is headquartered is in San Francisco and the company has a development office in Mountain View.
According to reports, the app doesn’t use any external data, and only gets access to a user’s contacts. Users then have to choose an avatar like photographer or foodie, etc and as you post content, you have to assign it to these personas. The number of personas is limited to five, and you can change once you are no longer interested in a persona. The reports also points out that the app is more visual based rather than text.
Though Hello has been based on connecting people who share unique interests, chances of it competing against Facebook seem uncertain.
Facebook is one of the most dominant social networks ever with 1.7 billion monthly active users on the website alone. It also owns WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which have 1 billion monthly active users each, as well as Instagram which has around 500 million monthly active users.
Social Media Updates:
A decade of love, friendship, adventure. Read my letter @ https://t.co/GQibRJ0A8V Say hello & love your world #orkut pic.twitter.com/ttesWKmspe
— Orkut Buyukkokten (@orkut) June 22, 2016
To our #hello community: https://t.co/kqmG1OhQ7Q #helloapp #orkut pic.twitter.com/0RFJexswyt
— hello network (@thehellonetwork) July 28, 2016