country of milk and honey, our very own Windows Phone developers! A brilliant team of developers, under the name Simbacode, have recently debuted a Windows Phone app – Metroziki – that is possibly the most kick-ass music app to come to the Windows phone store. This episode of the Port we, caught up with Guy Acellam of Simbacode of the few Windows Phone developers in Uganda and got to pick his brain about their Music app, the industry, and innovation at large.
[alert variation=”alert-info”]TJ: What is Metroziki?[/alert]
Its music player for windows phone with focus on providing a good offline experience
Music because its commercially viable product
I got frustrated with the current players on the Windows Store and decided to create one
Metroziki Video App Preview
Tech in Uganda is a few music key notes, we are yet to hear the full music. Keep your ears wide open because at a time when we start seeing positive impacts of our tech in the global sphere then we shall know that we are rocking.
[alert variation=”alert-info”]TJ: Is it for fun or for money? [/alert]
We want to provide the best music player for the user on windows phone and give them value for money.
[alert variation=”alert-info”]TJ: Speaking of which, how does MetroZiki make money?[/alert]
Metroziki costs just UGX 5,000 ($1.99) for a full version, you can spare a days meal to buy it for eternity.
We do have a monthly in-app purchase of UGX 2500 ($0.99) for lyrics service.
[alert variation=”alert-info”]TJ: Mobile or web, what is your main background? [/alert]
Mobile is priority though its very hard to to completely leave the web since in most cases the web runs mobile indirectly. We shall put our efforts on the web if its a matter of improving the mobile experience.
Our Geographic location does not favor Metrozikis’ business model on other platforms
The information we are are accessing are on the users phone and in any case we want utmost proper performance for our application. Still the commercial viability of having the app on other platforms is not sound.
To be best music player on the windows phone for offline music experience.
Facebook Ads, We reached over 3000 users since the last update. We do this by creating videos such as the one on this link: Metroziki Update 1.0.0.2 and also Metroziki app photos. We shall continue using social media as platform for marketing the player.
is MetroZiki surviving this? (Is the company behind MetroZiki still a startup anyway?) [/alert]When people hear about a product, they always think about it as though it were a company. perhaps it is because they are influenced by some business ideas but Metroziki is kick-start product of Simbacode Ltd aka Simbacode which was founded in February this year. Simbacodes’ vision is to continue delivering relevant and practical mobile solutions.
How can a hot startup in Uganda get some Venture capital money? The reality is, it is very difficult to get money from Venture capitalist in Uganda however hot the startup is. Those that have managed to do so have always got little in most cases. May be we are kind of under valued. so your best venture capitalist is probably your family and friends.
I can assure you that Simbacode will be releasing a productivity/utilities app in June for the android platform. Of the many features to be offered, the most interesting feature to watch out for in the app is the automated airtime loader(take a picture of your airtime and leave the app to do the rest).
