INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian tech giant VK plans to unveil a super-app this spring in hopes of ultimately integrating the performances of Chinas ubiquitous
WeChat, the business paper Vedomosti reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the companys plans.Dubbed Max, the beta variation will
apparently include a standalone messenger, a payment system, mini-apps and a chatbot contractor for business owners
Max is expected to incorporate federal government services down the line, making contrasts to WeChat.However, Max will not integrate with
VKs existing social networking apps, such as Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki, according to an unnamed VK representative.Max takes into
consideration the experience of developing all existing VK messengers
At the very same time, Max is an independent and separate product with its own devoted development team, the representative was estimated as
saying.Last week, VK reported a net loss of nearly 95 billion rubles ($1.12 billion) for 2024 practically three times its losses in 2023
VK has actually faced concerns over federal government control considering that 2021, when Vladimir Kiriyenko, the kid of Kremlin first
deputy chief of personnel Sergei Kiriyenko, was selected CEO.Experts interviewed by Vedomosti believe VK will invest up to 1 billion rubles
($11.8 million) into Max during its first stage.Max is expected to release on iOS and Android this spring, with schedule on desktops,
smartphones and internet browsers for users holding Russian or Belarusian phone numbers, according to one of Vedomostis sources at VK.
