Ditch Google and Use a Bot Instead: Startup Says the Golden Era for Search Apps Is Over
Finding your way around a new city, or even discovering exciting things to do in areas you know well, is hard. Meanwhile, local economies have been struggling to prosper — with small businesses increasingly reliant on online behemoths such as Facebook and Google where users face information overload.
A new blockchain-based startup believes the golden era for apps is over and says the public wants a more personalized experience when they are finding things to do. Rather than depend on potentially biased platforms, which often fail to capture the full breadth of nearby venues, Localflow says the future lies in conversationalbots that can provide fast recommendations and a plethora of other services.
For the typical user, Localflow means they can find the goods and services they want through the messaging apps they already know and love — be it Facebook, Telegram or WeChat. They can also make payments in fiat or by using a collection of cryptocurrencies.
Moreover, people can use Localflow bots to create their products, assign a price — in fiat and crypto — and have them broadcasted through the chatbot’s local search network.
According to the startup, use cases could extend far beyond finding a place for dinner.On its website, Localflow describes how a user could track down the ideal venue for live music and a first-rate cocktail, based on their requirements and events posted by fellow members of the community. If the user is interested, a bot could provide them with live feedback about what is going on inside, a full list of prices, plus the ability to reserve a table and pay upfront.
Small businesses and sole traders would be able to establish their very own bot. For example, a seasoned guitarist would be able to use Localflow’s system to offer private tutoring, or the owner of a pizzeria could build a bot that takes orders and tracks deliveries.
