Kidz app boosts budgeting

In this application roundup, SEAN BACHER highlights Standard Bank Kidz, UberEATS, Google Allo, Instagram with Safe Comments and Pokemon Go in South Africa.

Standard Bank Kidz Banking App

The Standard Bank Kidz Banking App is designed primarily for kids aged 6 to 11, and is a tool designed to engage and entertain children while enabling parents to explain concepts of money management such as earning, saving, and spending. The app is set in an animated fantasy realm where digital representations of South Africa’s Big Five animals maintain habitats, each representing a different area of money management. For example, a leopard encourages kids to complete “missions”, or chores, assigned by parents – things like tidying their rooms or watering the plants – in order to earn money. In addition, the app becomes a handy way of being paid pocket money. As it is spent, debits are noted and the balance in the account is recorded, teaching budgeting skills. When money is spent through the app, kids will gain a practical appreciation for the value of items like toys, movie tickets and books.

Platform: Android

Stockists: Visit the Google Play Store

Expect to pay: A free download.

UberEATS

UberEATS is an on-demand food delivery app powered by Uber, and it works in much the same way as Uber rides. Users can search for the meal they want by the type of cuisine – for example Indian or Italian – or can order directly from a restaurant. Once an outlet is chosen, a menu is displayed from where a meal is selected. At the moment UberEATS in Johannesburg only offers delivery from a cpiuple of dozen putlets, but more are being added each day.

Platform: Android and iOS

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Expect to pay: A free download.

Google Allo

Google Allo is not like other messaging apps that only lets one chat to friends, family and colleagues. It features a preview version of Google Assistant, which helps with news, weather or incoming flight status information. It can also help find nearby places, from pharmacies to petrol stations, andassists in planning a weekend away – from destinations to flights and accommodation. The more the Google Assistant is used, the more useful it becomes as it answers and remembers previous questions.

Platform: Android and iOS

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Expect to pay: A free download.

Instagram with Safe Comments

Instagram’s keyword moderation tool lets one filter out inappropriate comments, depending on the words they contain. Users can select the filters already provided by Instagram or can create their own. To activate it one selects the new Comments option under the settings of the profile. Once the Hide Inappropriate Comments option is selected, words or sentences can be added, separated by commas.

Platform: Android and iOS running the latest Instagram version

Expect to pay: A free download.

Pokemon Go in South Africa

The recently launched Pokemon Go is now officially available in South Africa. Before, South Africans had to find workarounds – many of them opening up their mobile devices to malware, viruses and Trojans. Those who successfully installed the game also had problems with saving their progress and sometimes couldn’t install game updates without losing their current status.

Pokemon Go uses a player’s location and augmented reality to display a range of Pokemons in their vicinity. It is then up to the player to hunt down the Pokemon, lob power balls at it and catch it. Some Pokemons are more difficult to catch than others, and the more characters caught, the more experience points a player gains, increasing playing level and options.

Platform: Android and iOS

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Expect to pay: A free download, but with loads of in-app purchases.

* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher