Flashat
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Flashat [1] is an instant-messaging application developed by FLASHAT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT L.L.C [2]. The major feature that distinguishes Flashat from other social media platforms is its ability to handle diverse features including private messaging, broadcasting, group messaging, etc. It also allows users to earn performance points which is an additional feature that makes Flashat attractive for users to use. Additionally, the high security and privacy features make the application appealing to social media users.
The application was first launched in October 2021 and had later updates with new features consistently. It became widely recognized and popular within a short period of time and had users worldwide by January 2022. By the middle of the year 2022, the application became one of the primary means of communication.
History
Flashat began its development in 2018, as a mobile application created by Flashat LLC who has been in the telecom value-added services business for years. The application was first launched in its initial phase under the name Messej as a social networking platform. With the intention to differentiate itself from its competitors including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, Flashat implemented the performance points, a rewarding concept.
2018 - 2021: Beginning
Flashat (formerly messej) was founded by FLASHAT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT L.L.C. With the populace engaging more in social media use, the firm had the vision to create an application that will help them to make earnings by being active in the space. To make their vision into a reality, they strived hard to execute their dream to action.
The application was first named “messej” to sound more like “message”. Later the application was renamed to “Flashat” which is a compound word ‘Flash’ and ‘-at’ joined together to form a single word. ‘Flash’ as a verb means sudden, shine, and bright, it also means to move or pass very quickly or instantly. The word ‘-at’ is a connector that connects the verb ‘flash’ to the network space and thus the term ‘Flashat’ is ‘to shine at the network of users around the globe’.
In reference to the urban dictionary, ‘to flash’ often means to call or message as the mobile phone flashes its light while receiving a call or a message. Therefore, the phrase ‘flash at me’ often means ‘message me’.
Rather than molding an application used solely for social communication, the team wanted it to be more customized for the users. Therefore, the application rendered many more features than just messaging. With each new update, the application received wider users and audiences.
The first launch of the application introduced to its users a new broadcasting feature, where they could send broadcasts to their Dears,Fans and Likers and receive broadcasts from Stars. Later the application provided the private messaging feature. The users were able to send only text messages at the beginning but with later updates they could send images and voice clips. In the future, the application will also serve as a medium to send and receive all types of files including images, videos, audios and other documents.
Additionally, the application also introduced premium features for users who have subscribed and upgraded their Flashat account to Premium.
The introduction of ‘Huddles’ and ‘Groups’ were a new innovation in the field of social media. Huddles were public platforms for group messaging and Groups a more private space. Anyone who creates a Huddle or a Group becomes a Manager and he/she can appoint admins.
By the third quarter of 2021, Flashat reached a broader public with a lot of people using the application especially in the Middle East Region.
2022: Rebranding
Following the initial developments and updates of the application, during the 3rd Quarter of 2022, the Messej App underwent a renaming process whereby the App embraced the name Flashat. The renaming retained the features but gave a new look and feel to the application.
All the domains that were named ‘messej’ were renamed and rebranded to ‘Flashat’. The application’s color and theme were changed, maintaining all the features.
Present: New Features
Flashat is moving forward with further updates to give their users the best social media experience ever.
Flashat has implemented some privacy features in the application including profile picture, last seen, about and even private message privacy. Users can limit the private messages they receive from the privacy settings.
The group messaging feature, ‘Huddles’ and ‘Groups’ have made the users active in the usage of the application paving them an easier path to gain performance points. With each new ‘Dears’ added to their list, the users can earn active performance points which later rewards them.
There are a number of other features waiting to be implemented for the future updates including the call feature, the video sharing feature and many more.
Features and Tools
Users after creating a Flashat account can choose their Superstar, give unique nicknames, follow other users, get Fans and Likers etc. They can make use of the features including private messaging, broadcasting, group messaging and so on.
The initial stage of the application allowed users to send and receive broadcast messages only, but with the later updates they were introduced with the private messaging feature too. It was only recently that the group messaging feature was implemented, both a private and a public medium for group communication.
SuperStar
It is mandatory for any Flashat user to select a SuperStar before completing their registration process. By selecting a SuperStar, the selected user will get performance points which later rewards them. A SuperStar once selected cannot be changed or removed.
The referred person, who has suggested the user to become a Flashat user is usually considered for making SuperStar.
Stars
The other users whom the user follows are considered as Stars. Under the Stars tab, the user could view all the users who he/she have followed. Additionally, one can also view the broadcast messages updated by the Stars under the Stars Tab.
Likers
Likers are the users who have selected the user as their Star to follow broadcasts. A user will be able to send broadcasts to their Likers in one click. Gaining more Likers doesn’t mean that the user can get more performance points.
Dears
Dears are the premium users who selected the user as their SuperStar. The user will be able to send broadcasts to their Dears easily in one click. Dears lists the most valuable followers who are considered as the Dears in the Flashat community. For each Premium User that selects the user as a Superstar, the user can gain Performance Points which they will be able to benefit from in later Flashat updates.
Fans
Fans are the free users who have selected the user as their SuperStar. The user can send text messages, and images in broadcast to their Fans. For each free user that selects the user as a Superstar, they can gain Inactive Performance Points which they will be able to benefit from later, Flashat also updates this if the user upgrades from free to Premium version.
Private Messaging
The users can send and receive one-to-one messages in the Flashat environment. The users can only send a maximum of 5 messages if the user is not following him/her back. If the user has already initiated a private message with a user or if he/she has received a message from a user, they can click on the chat directly from the Private Tab as it gets enlisted there.
Broadcast
Users can easily initiate a new broadcast message for their Dears, Fans and Likers. Clicking on the broadcast icon will take the user to a new page where they can type and send messages to their followers from selected or all their lists. Users can't reply to broadcasts received from others. They can only like received broadcasts.
Huddles
Flashat Huddle is a group messaging feature, where users can create, control and manage groups in any of their interesting topics or contents. This group messaging feature allows the users to get engaged with their friends and other users publicly on a single platform under complete privacy. Any user can freely create Huddles and can invite friends to join. The creator of the huddle is the Manager and he can further add Admins to the Huddles to control the groups if he wants to. The Manager or Admin can add Participants into the Huddle from their Dears, Fans, or Likers list.
Groups
Flashat Groups is a group messaging feature, where users can create, control and manage groups in any of their interesting topics or contents. This is different from Huddles because it is a more private space. It is important to either request or invite other users to be a participant of Groups. No direct join option is available for Groups which make it more private.
Performance Points
Performance points are acquired by a user based on their performance and involvement in using the Flashat application. There are both active and inactive performance points in Flashat. Gaining more Dears and Upgrading to the Premium version of Flashat are some of the ways to grab more performance points.
Premium Features
Flashat has a Premium version wherein the users can get access to some of the premium features by upgrading to premium. Premium Plan is an annual subscription for 40 USD / Year. Some of the premium features include all Flashat free app features plus the earning of active performance points, can be in the Dears list of SuperStar, priority in Stars suggestion list, instant translation of text messages, premium text formats and so on.
Security and Privacy
Privacy Policy
Flashat, respect the user’s privacy. The privacy policy describes the types of information they may collect from the users or that they may provide when the users use their mobile application and the practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, the tracking technologies, other information the user will have to submit and disclosing that information. They provide digital marketing services and related services through their application, their branded applications for mobile and connected devices. It also depicts the method of collection of data and how it is used. It is all in compliance with the GDPR, California Consumer Privacy Act 2018.
Huddle Policy
Huddle is a platform wherein every participant gets the opportunity to express themselves and communicate with all other participants of their respective huddle. While expressing every participants’ opinions, thoughts, beliefs, ideas etc it should not harm other participants or the public at large in any manner. Defamation, violence, harassment and other similar types of behavior discourage people from joining and expressing themselves. The Flashat rules ensure that all people can participate in the public conversation freely and safely. Participants can create, post or store content, messages, documents, data, information, text, music, sound, photos, videos, graphics, applications, code or other items or materials on the (collectively, “User Content”) through huddles.
Cookies Policy
Cookies and similar tracking technologies, such as beacons, scripts, web beacons and tags (referred to as “cookies”), are small bits of text, usually stored on a user's mobile device or computer hard drive or within an internet browser. They enable a website to remember information about the user's visit to the website. Flashat use device IDs and/or advertising IDs in a similar manner to which they use cookies on their website and mobile applications. “Cookies Policy” explains what cookies are, how Flashat use cookies, how third-parties, affiliates they may partner with, may use cookies on the Flashat website, their choices regarding cookies and further information about the cookies.
They collect and store certain information by automated means when the users visit their website, through various means such as “cookies” if they are necessary for the operation of the website and as permitted by relevant data protection laws. Cookies that are not strictly necessary for the basic function of their website (or sites) are only activated once the user has given its explicit consent to the specific purpose of their operation and collection of Personal Information.
Terms of Use
The Terms of Use are the basic rights and obligations that Users registered on the Flashat App have and agree to when using the Services. The Terms constitute a binding agreement between Flashat and the user. Flashat reserves the right at any time and in its sole discretion to change or modify their Terms, or any policy or guidelines of the App and its platform. If they make changes or modifications to the Terms, they will provide the users with notice of such changes, such as by sending an email, providing notice through the Services or updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of the Terms. It describes the app’s functionality, messaging services, freemium nature, details of subscription, refund policy etc.
User behavior and characteristics
Flashat [3] primarily targets smartphone savvy people in two primary age groups: 18-29 and 30-49. The age group between 18 and 29 tend to be the most technologically savvy, have the highest smartphone penetration rate and have the greatest comfort purchasing online.
Consumers aged 30 to 49 are estimated to represent 45% of the market. A growing segment, more lifestyle, tools and productivity apps are being developed to cater to this market, as it typically has significantly higher income than consumers aged 18 to 29.
References[edit]
This article "Flashat" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Flashat. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
