Times Mobile launches mobile greetings app GreetZAP

Currently available only on Android, the app could offer opportunities related to sponsorship and brand associations, says the company.

Times Mobile, the telecom unit of Times Internet Limited (TIL), has launched an app, GreetZAP, which enables users to send mobile greetings free of cost. Although the app is currently available to Android users, TML plans to offer the app to iPhone users in the next few weeks.

According to the company, users can send SMS greetings, music greetings and voice greetings through this app. In addition to voice cards, users can also record their messages through IVR and send it to other users.

This service is available in multiple languages like English, Hindi, Kannada, Oriya and others and offers greetings in multiple categories. For non-Android users, features of GreetZAP can be accessed through Greetzap.com, and through WAP on M.Greetzap.com. The service is made available on all major mobile operators such as Airtel, Reliance, Tata and Uninor.

Speaking to afaqs! about the idea behind this initiative, Ajay Vaishnavi, director, telecom, TML, says, "We at TML are focusing at both entertainment and utility services for users. With the increase in adoption of mobile internet, we believe that greetings as a category will see a major shift from online to mobile based usage. Accordingly, we are positioning GreetZAP as a one stop destination for mobile greetings and gifting."

Speaking on the marketing opportunities provided by the app for brands, Vaishnavi says that though the company currently has not opened the avenue to such opportunities, there could be prospects related to sponsorship and brand associations. Speaking of monetising the app, Vaishnavi informs that an advanced version of the app will soon be available and that will be paid.

Times Internet has launched quite a few smartphone applications for some of its services. Recently, the company launched mobile apps for Gaana.com across platforms and before that, it had launched Alive Augmented Reality News app for Android, iPhone and BlackBerry. In 2012, Times Internet partnered with cloud-based publishing firm GENWI to launch Tweek, a magazine app for iPads.