AN ENTERPRISING student from Leamington is hoping his photo-sharing app will spread a little joy in the world.
Wowie – which stands for Words Of Wisdom Inspire Experiences – allows its users to capture pictures and upload them for others to view and comment on.
Inventor Jeeven Bisal says the difference between his, and existing services like Instagram and Snapchat, is Wowie aims to motivate people to work hard and enjoy their lives.
Jeeven said: “I got the idea from interaction with my friends and family. One morning I woke up and heard my little brother moaning about going to school and how often do you hear adults saying ‘oh great, I’ve got to go to work’.
“The concept is to have pictures with meaning and to get people thinking about what motivates them and what they’re passionate about.
“It’s become natural that the first thing people do when they wake up is look on their phone. If the first things you see are inspirational images it can spur you on for the day.”
Like social network giants Facebook and Twitter, Wowie requires its users to register an account, select a profile picture and secure a following.
Images posted by others appear on the app’s home page where they can be commented on and appreciated with a ‘smile’ – in the same way as a ‘like’ on Facebook.
But according to the 20-year-old designer, this distinction is part of Wowie’s feel-good factor.
Jeeven added: “It can be quite corny to say that you ‘like’ someone else’s post. I want Wowie to be on a more subliminal level, for people to be happy and smiling when looking at the pictures.”
Photos can be posted to one or more of seven categories – including Words of Wisdom, Passion and Magic Moments – and effects can be added within the app.
Hundreds of iPhone and iPad users have downloaded WOWIE since its release in March and Jeeven has set himself a goal of breaching the Top 50 on the Apple App Store chart.
Plans for an accompanying website are taking shape and the Aston University student says he intends to expand to the Android Market.
