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AppDate: Taxify bolts on scooters and motorbikes
In his latest apps round-up, SEAN BACHER highlights Bolt, Samsung Calm, LÜLA’s investment options, KidzAlive and LastPass.
Taxify rebrands to Bolt
Taxify has recently changed its name to Bolt, allowing users to request taxis, as well as ask for scooters, motorbikes and other public transport means. According to the company, this update brings the brand identity in line with the company’s broader vision of transportation that has expanded from ride-hailing with cars to motorbikes and scooter sharing.
The app now serves 25 million customers in over 30 countries. It currently provides its services in six African countries, claiming to connect drivers with passengers in more African cities than any other ride-hailing platform. It has plans to further expand its offering in east and west Africa and South Africa during the course of 2019.
It is also the first company to bring ride-hailing and scooter sharing together in one app and is currently working on expanding the scooter sharing service across a number of cities.
The new brand will gradually be rolled out across Bolt’s global markets over the coming weeks.
Users of the current Taxify app don’t have to make any changes to their current app, as it will automatically update to reflect the Bolt changes.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: The app can be downloaded directly from the Bolt website here.
Samsung partners with Calm
In an attempt to give its users the best health and well-being support, says Samsung, it has partnered with Calm, an app that helps people with sleep, meditation and relaxation.
To activate the app, one would need to access the Mindfulness app under the Samsung Health function.
Users then create a Calm account and are able to access a variety of programmes to reduce stress, anxiety and insomnia. Programs can be personalised on their smartphones and can be controlled through the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active.
Stress and sleep levels are monitored through the app and tips are given on how one can deal with anxiety, insomnia and stress.
All in all it sounds like a cheaper alternative to a therapist, but a user does need a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active and a Samsung Galaxy smartphone running Android Pie.
Platform: Samsung Galaxy smartphones running Android Pie and a Galaxy Watch Active
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockist: Visit Samsung Health here for downloading instructions.
Click here to read about South Africa’s latest ride-hailing app for shuttles, an app to assist HIV counselling for children, and an app that securely stores one’s passwords.
