ASTANA – A mobile messenger service unique to Kazakhstan Aitys (iTys) was presented by the Foundation for Development of the State Language at a Nov. 19 briefing at the Central Communications Service (CCS).
“iTys is available in three languages: Kazakh, Russian and English. iTys is a new name in Kazakhstan’s IT sphere. We are confident that the launch of our product is another step in the development and promotion of the state language and Kazakh culture. The project aims tousher the Kazakh language into the world of global data exchange. iTys is intended to unite all of Kazakhstan’s users, no matter where they are around the world. Today, we use popular foreign analogues such as WhatsApp, ChatON and many others. But, unlike them, we managed to create an appealing domestic product. The programme’s graphics incorporate national styles. Many different emoticons also take on a traditional tone,” said Daut Shaikhislamov, the head of the project.
The name of the new app is a wordplay on Aitys, a Kazakh word for highly popular contests among bards.
A peculiarity of the Kazakhstan messenger programme is that unlike other messengers, no payment is required to use it. Another advantage of iTys is its auto-delete function, which assures privacy for one’s personal correspondences.
“Our project is especially useful to those who prefer to communicate in the state language. The application includes a high degree of protection that guarantees the confidentiality of transmitted information, as well as hacker protection. iTys is a constantly improving product. At the moment, the application is already available on the Android platform. In December, for Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, we will gift users with the app by making it available on Apple products via the IOS platform,” the head of the project said.
The application can be downloaded from the website www.itys.kz. In the near future, based on the iTys application, developers plan to create a free voice-calling service, a Kazakh language auto-corrector and graphics editor. New, traditional styled animations and stickers will be incorporated as well.
“iTys will allow users to not only send messages to friends, but also make free calls via the Internet,” Shaikhislamov said in closing.
