Voted the best new app at the recent Consumer Electronic Show, uCiC allows anyone using it to flex their Good Samaritan muscles. The uCiC app connects users in order for them to complete a specific picture or video request. For instance, one user can ask another if there is any milk left on a shelf in a particular supermarket or whether a road is accessible after a big storm.
Although there are already intrinsic value attached to using the uCiC app, the developers decided to attach a rewards system to make it even more interesting. By receiving Karma Points, people can use the uCiC app to make even more requests. uCiC encourages users to give as much as they receive. Its easy interface complements when uCiC stands for, 'you see I see.'
Good Samaritan Apps
uCiC Helps People Find Out a Situation Without Venturing Out Themselves
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced Assistance - uCiC is leading the way in allowing users to request help from other users remotely, opening up potential for app developers to create more opportunities for people to help each other in real time.
2. Gamification of Good Deeds - uCiC's Karma points system encourages people to help others out of the goodness of their hearts, hinting that apps that reward users for virtuous behavior will continue to be popular.
3. Peer-to-peer Sharing - Apps that allow users to share their knowledge and experiences with one another will be an important trend in the coming years, with uCiC's successful model leading the way.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - Tech companies will continue to invest in the development of apps that foster communication and community building like uCiC.
2. Retail - uCiC's success in retail settings indicates that retailers may be able to leverage crowdsourced info collection to improve inventory on hand or better understand the in-store customer experience.
3. Customer Service - Service providers of all kinds can take lessons from uCiC's Karma points system, and use gamification to incentivize their customers to be more involved in local problem solving.