Before we actually talk about the app, let us explain what this story is. App of the week will be an endeavour to pick out one app every week that we like. There is no constraint on what the app may be — it could be a game, productivity app, music app or anything else. In addition, it may come out of any of the mobile ecosystems available today. Lastly, while we will try to choose only new apps, the app of the week may also be something that has been in the app stores for a while.
While the decision for which app is chosen as the app of the week will be completely editorial, we welcome suggestions from readers for apps that you use and think should make it onto this list. You can mention your opinions on Facebook, Twitter or on the comments below. We’ll try our best to take the apps you mention into consideration as well.
So, without further ado, let’s get down to the first app.
Instabounce
In theory, Instabounce isn’t exactly an innovative app. It’s an event aggregator, which tells you the events that are going on in your city, just like Bookmyshow and some others. Instabounce's pitch though is in last minute bookings, which you can make through the app and get discounts while doing so. The reason we picked this as the app of the week has more to do with what it accomplishes.
The app recently won funding worth Rs. 10 lakh at the Entrepreneurship Summit held in IIT, Bombay recently. The competition included over 200 startups, out of which 10 were chosen for the prize. Instabounce stated their case in front of investors at the event and won the above mentioned funding. It has also been shortlisted for the Google Android Apps Expo 2015, to be held in Bangalore on 28 February. The Expo has earlier showcased apps like Little Eye Labs, which was later acquired by Facebook and some other well known apps as well.
The app basically brings a curated list of events in your city, allowing you to book tickets for them through the app. There will also be special discounts exclusive to Instabounce. Currently the app has only been downloaded about 500 times and is available only in Delhi, but Harman Sawhney, one of the founders of Instabounce tells us that they’ll be live in Mumbai in about a month and a half. Also, they have plans to spread to other cities as well.
Sawhney also said that the app is still a work in progress and the plan is to make it more intelligent. According to him, the app will eventually start giving you personalised suggestions based on your likes, dislikes and places that your friends are going.
Sawhney mentioned that he has been involved with events (offline) for the past five years. He says that research showed him that most people book tickets etc. for events at the last minute, but there was no efficient way to do so. That is the void that Instabounce is looking to fill. Sawhney has been involved with events like the Sunburn festival and has worked with musicians like Hardwell, AfroJack and David Guetta. He's currently working on adding all of them to Instabounce as well.
Well, the app has a long way to go, but 23-year-old Sawhney is optimistic about its success. We liked the concept and hope the developers can meet their goals in the future.