Zoho, an Indian technology firm, has entered the messaging app arena with Arattai, a new application designed to rival WhatsApp in India. Arattai provides voice and video calling, group chats, channels, stories, and online meeting functionalities. The application quickly gained traction, surpassing WhatsApp to become the leading social networking app upon its launch. Zoho emphasizes that Arattai is engineered to perform well, even on devices with limited resources and in areas with unstable network connectivity. This article delves into Arattai’s main features and how they compare to WhatsApp.
Users can engage in one-on-one chats, participate in group chats, and share media. The app enables users to send voice notes, photos, videos, and documents. Users can initiate voice or video calls directly from their chats.
Arattai goes beyond basic chat features with group discussions, channels, stories, and meeting capabilities. Users can schedule online meetings, designate co-hosts, and configure time zones. The app supports desktop platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) and Android TV.
Zoho asserts that voice and video calls within Arattai utilize end-to-end encryption. However, full messaging encryption is still being implemented. Users are advised to avoid sharing sensitive information until this is complete. Updating to the latest version enhances security and performance.
Android users can download Arattai Messenger (Zoho Corporation) via the Google Play Store. iPhone users can obtain it from the Apple App Store. The official website also provides access to both Android and iOS versions.
After installation, users must verify their mobile number using an OTP. The app will then request access to contacts, the camera, and the microphone. An account is activated by setting a profile name and photo. Arattai automatically syncs contacts and sends invitations via SMS to non-users.
Distinctive features of Arattai include:
1. Online Meetings Support: Unlike WhatsApp’s focus on calls and group chats, Arattai facilitates meeting scheduling and co-hosting.
2. Android TV Support: Arattai offers native support for larger screens, while WhatsApp lacks official TV support.
3. Performance on Low-End Devices: The app is optimized to perform efficiently on slower networks and basic smartphones, where WhatsApp might struggle.
4. Channels and Stories: Arattai merges channels and stories for enhanced broadcasting, compared to WhatsApp’s status feature.
5. Desktop and Multi-Platform Access: Arattai supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, simplifying device pairing. Although WhatsApp has web and desktop versions, it lacks Linux support.