Hotbox Is A New WhatsApp Bot Aiming To Replace Duta & Offers A Lot More

holding phone

Most of us who use WhatsApp might have had a run-in with Duta. The chatbot that provided users with updates on the latest news, sports updates and a bunch of other stuff (I wasn’t a big Duta user so I don’t know the rest).

Unfortunately, in late 2019 Duta met an untimely end after WhatsApp shut down their service. WhatsApp did so because Duta had failed to meet its terms and conditions. Whilst an explicit reason wasn’t outlined I believe the issue was simply the fact that Duta was sending messages to thousands of unsaved numbers – something that usually gets numbers banned on WhatsApp.

Enter Hotbox… No, not the smoking of marijuana in a car with all windows/doors closed. Hotbox is actually a locally built chatbot offering similar functionality to Duta.

What can you access on Hotbox?

Once you send a message to the Hotbox bot you can get updates and information related to the following;

  • Amigo Portal with educational content which includes past exam papers and notes, a dictionary
  • SoundNation allows users to search and download music, get lyrics, audiobooks and podcasts
  • Sports & Bets section gives you access to fixtures, results and sporting news
  • News & Updates gives access to the latest news (local and international), headlines, exchange rates etc

The chatbot is easy enough to use and if whether you’ve used Duta or not the hand holding will make sure that you quickly come to grips with interacting with the bot.

We reached out to Team Amigo representatives who confirmed that the chatbot has over 4000 users since it was deployed at the end of May

Monetizing the chatbot

It’s also pretty interesting to note that Team Amigo is looking to monetize the bot with users informed they are on a trial version with a monthly payment being expected eventually:

You are on a trial period after which you will be paying $50.00 ZWD per month for the HotBox services.

I say users will be expected to pay eventually because the chat bot doesn’t make it clear how long the trial period lasts – something users would probably care to know.

The one concern I have is that HotBox will suffer a similar fate to Duta and when the user count balloons, HotBox might violate WhatsApp T&Cs and see themselves booted out. I asked Simbarashe Duane Andre Team Amigo’s CEO how they will avoid suffering the same fate that Duta did and he said they will “simply follow the WhatsApp guidelines.”

Interested in chatting getting updates, music and education content from Hotbox? Follow this link.

13 comments

What’s your take?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Dennis dube

    I am so disappointed they decided to steal my company’s franchise logo and all its four square colors for that matter … it shows we expecting innovativation from people who are not even creative enough to create their own logo…and I’m still thinkin on the legal action about it … go to http://www.pargoexpress.com you will see the original Logo stolen

  2. James Maye

    This hotbox is really not ready for business.. How can it be only available for Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 while Nigeria and South Africa are left off the rank. So unserious to me.

  3. Eli Kofi Atinyuie Yeyevi

    Want to join hotbox

    1. Thomas

      Did u manage to join, am failing to join the given number is not on WhatsApp

      1. leigh ciara

        did anyone manage to join? cause i failed even though i followed all the steps

        1. Anonymous

          The new number is +263776656972

  4. Omomeji Abdullah

    Please I want to join

  5. Omomeji Abdullah

    Please I yams to join

  6. Emmie green

    Great

  7. Emmie green

    Hw can i join plz

  8. Sbingiseni

    I want to try it

  9. King obuah

    I want to join

  10. Pee

    Music lyrics and news

2023 © Techzim All rights reserved. Hosted By Cloud Unboxed

Exit mobile version