Nagpur: The fact that mobile applications have transcended to become an integral part of every tech savvy’s life is not hidden to anyone. Everyone knows how internet has revolutionized the community around and got the friends and folks stay connected round the clock. However, a new digital albeit ‘appy trend’ has swept Nagpur at present. The apps’ obsession currently witnessed in the city’s social community is something never seen before.
The recent spate of freebies and unbelievable offers showered through downloads of various mobile apps has contributed towards this major shift in the lifestyle of Nagpurians. Right from ordering food, taking free cab rides, getting groceries at doorstep to buying online movie tickets through designated pay sites, the apps are certainly ruling the hearts of city users with bonanza of offers.
Nagpur Today takes a look at 5 ways in which mobile apps have changed the lifestyle of Nagpur people.
1. Food
Hitting at favourite eatouts has become a passe now, thanks to the online food ordering applications which gets freshly prepared cuisines from the restaurants or dining spots of your choice at your doorstep. Now no more waiting in queues at restaurants. Only big discounts! Picture this – a recent offer by a food delivery app Foodpanda made Nagpur food lovers go crazy as it offered a whale of discount i.e. Rs 300 off on ordering the food worth Rs 450. “It’s just about experiencing your favourite taste in pocket-savvy perspective,” says Rahul, a college student who just had fun over food spread that he had ordered through this app.
2. Travel
Even as free rides earned through downloading and referrals of apps of cab operators like Ola and Taxi for Sure (now taken over by Ola) were yet to over, yet another popular cab operator Uber knocks the smartphones of Nagpurians to offer them first two rides for free, and get them more free rides on every referred ride. Says Prashant Dikshit, a local commuter, “I have been using free rides from referrals for the last 6 months, thanks to these cab apps which offer best services. Now I don’t have to argue with autorickshaw drivers any more for negotiating rates. The biggest change that these cab operators brought to the lives of Nagpurians is getting them rid of whims and fancies of autorickshaw operators who often recovered non-sense tariff from the commuters.’’ What’s more travel apps like Make My Trips and Yatra are also offering loads of discount on hotel bookings, in case you are planning for vacaction or business trip.
3. Entertainment
Aapla Nagpur cannot do without movies and this is where apps emerged to show them the right spotlight. While apps like Bookmyshow can fetch you movie tickets in your smartphones, the ticket prices can be further reduced by paying through specific channels. You may end up getting 20-25% discount if you pay for your movies tickets through sites like PayUMoney or Mobikwik. And you don’t need to be a tech wizard to avail these facilities. Once you try your hands at booking app, it will further guide you towards these offers.
4. Daily News to Daily Needs
Of course you got to read the newspapers every morning and have to step out to get some milk and daily needs, but not any more. Your smartphone again has the key to it. While Nagpur Today app, only app dedicated for city news, can get you updated info on Nagpur right in your smartphone, the recently entered app GetNowAt gets you all the groceries and daily needs at your doorstep and too in few minutes. Many conscious citizens have switched to these modes of reading news and getting daily needs.
5. Shopping
Last but not the least, apps like Flipkart, Shopclues, Amazon and Snapdeal have fully occupied the shopping arena of Nagpur. Even apps like GetNowAt rides high with its express delivery through your favourite local stores. With these apps going hyper local, Nagpurians are finding it easier to connect to these apps for fulfilling all their shopping needs, right from buying a pair of branded jeans to trying their hands on new model of smartphone. “Discounts are really driving them crazy”, says a local mobile store owner who is wary of this growing trend. “Now I am planning to add my store to one of these apps so that I can make up for the lost market,” he quipped.
