NATIVE Inventions, as part of its mandate to make technology accessible to the masses, has launched a new Mxit application, ‘GetThere’ – a directions app which uses the Google Maps API – which can be used on all feature phones.
“Though statistics indicate that smartphone usage in South Africa will significantly increase over the next few years, we also know that the majority of South Africans don’t have access to smartphones, or the Internet, and so we wanted to create an affordable, accessible platform that reaches the broadest base possible,” says Levon Rivers, head of NATIVE Inventions.
He says the free GetThere app can be used on any feature or smartphone using Mxit. It allows users to input their starting point and end-point addresses. The route is mapped out on a step by step basis, using listed directions and supporting images.
“It’s basically smartphone technology for feature phones,” he says. The nice thing about this app is that it is versatile, commuters can use it to get directions to a specific destination whilst they are travelling in a taxi, visitors new to a city will find it useful, promotion companies can use it for their field operators, or parents can use it to assist their children, and more, he adds.
“GetThere and the other Mxit applications from NATIVE Inventions are free and supported by mobile advertising. By working on these types of products, we keep our skills on the cutting edge and also provide utility for our customers going forward,” says Rivers.
NATIVE Inventions, the innovation hub of leading digital agency, NATIVE, was officially launched in November this year to create a valuable outlet for the company’s technical creativity. It is divided into three sections: NATIVE IP is focused on product and Intellectual Property development; NATIVE Platforms include the agency’s existing platforms such as NativeOS CMS, its content management system for all their web properties; and NATIVE Tech Knowledge.
