Kik Messenger for iOS officially opened a dedicated bot store yesterday that allows anyone to create chat bots for use within the app.
Chat bots are automated chat accounts that are programmed to deliver specific content or services when users interact with them, sidestepping the need to download a separate app to access the service or content in question.
The popular teen messaging app Kik has been host to a handful of commercial bots offering services with limited interaction since 2014, but the launch of its 'Bot Shop' opens the door for third-party developers to build bots for the platform with genuine two-way interaction.
Currently the store is host to 15 bots including games and services from established companies such as Vine and The Weather Channel. Kik users can access the store via the tab used to create new chats, while developers can get everything they need to start building bots at dev.kik.com.
Bots are increasingly gaining traction in the mobile communication space, thanks to advances in natural language processing that allow artificial intelligence-based services to be baked into existing chat apps.
Last week Facebook Messenger gained an airline information bot that allows users to receive booked flight information updates, while Facebook is expected to announce its own bot store for Messenger at its annual developer conference next week. Meanwhile, Microsoft announced the introduction of Skype bots including Bing Music, Bing News, and Bing Images, with the promise of more to come.
Kik is a free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]
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Like Homer would say: "Who's doing what now?" :p