When I first discovered the OkHi app, I registered it in my head as "Oak-Hiii", but it actually reads as simple as Ok, Hi. Yes, this confident simplicity is what had me and 100,000 other Kenyan users hooked. OkHi is a location sharing app that allows users, mostly without an official physical address, to share their real-time location with others.
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Timbo Drayson, CEO OkHi[/caption]
"Our goal is to be the solution that empowers people to be found, and as a result be included in the new digital economy," said Timbo Drayson, the CEO and co-founder of the Nairobi-based start-up, adding, "OkHi addresses location in a completely new way, allowing people to own, update and customize their location to share with the people and services they want, without the frustration of battling the 'Uko Wapi?' challenge".
From my brief interaction with the app, these are the 10 things that I noted about it so far.
- Signing up
It takes less than 3 minutes to sign up for the mobile app. The only details that are required are your first and last name, mobile number and voila! A short verification code will be sent to your phone and you'll be through with the signing up process. No email is required.
- Updating address
You can update the address of where you currently are immediately after signing up. The app will even show you photos of your location's entrance and that gives you confidence in the application. By the way, if you are in a place whose image has not been attached, the app allows you to quickly take a photo and add it. You can edit the directions later. This makes it so easy to navigate for anyone.
- Services you get with OkHi
Let's be honest, at times it's frustrating guiding your cab guy to your exact location. OkHi makes this very smooth-sailing. I asked for an Uber cab and the navigation for the driver was simplified. This is because I had provided text directions and the image of the building I was at was so clear. You can do the same for your drop-off place. With this kind of invention, food delivery, ambulance services, online shopping stores are able to find you in no time. Goodbye hustles.
- Messaging the support team
This is another very important feature of the app. If you have any queries, you don't need to wait to send an email with your whole bunch of questions. The app has a 'chat' feature that allows you to directly talk with the support staff.
- Share-ability
Who knew you can send your location directly to your friend on Instagram? The app allows you to share your location (attached with the image) on virtually any app on your phone. This is great especially for business people who would like to show customers how their stores look like and what exactly to look out for.
- Security
You have the power to change which businesses see your location. By this I mean, if you get your food delivered at lunch and perhaps you don't want that particular food outlet, you can go to privacy settings and change that. You decide who gets to know where you are.
- User interface
The app is not confusing at all. You can navigate from one feature to the next in seconds or minutes depending on your need.
8. Location issuesOne can easily update a wrong location because there's no way of verifying the location one updates.
9. Google Maps The app is likely to get competition from Google Maps as one might be spoilt between choosing Google Maps and OkHi. The fact that you can also view images and the location on Google Maps can make it confusing.
10. Directory imagesThe directions for the app can only be provided in text and then just one photo of where you are located. It would have been better if one could include photos for the turns you'll take for easier navigation for the person trying to get to you. You would easily follow image directions.
The app is useful especially for people with small businesses. You can easily share where your store is and include an image. It also works best for those people in remote locations that are not clearly mapped out on Google.
Co-Founder Timbo Drayson further highlighted, "After research and testing, we learned that normal directions continue to be one of the largest constraints. The battle of identifying a location by speed bumps and trees is still commonplace. Access to services hinges on accurate location identification, so we're now giving users a better way to own their location and control who accesses it."
OkHi was co-founded in 2014 by Timbo Drayson and four other members. Previously, Timbo was at Google and YouTube for 7 years where he led the development of the YouTube mobile app, launched the first Android device and registered 7 patents. OkHi is funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Inovia Capital, Interaction Capital and angel investors that include former Google CFO Patrick Pichette and AirBnB CTO Nate Blecharczyk.
You can download the app on the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. Find out more at
www.okhi.com
