OLX is launching an exciting new classifieds app feature – the ability to smell items for sale, on-demand. Based on a ‘scratch and sniff’ principle and built by its tech team in Argentina, the functionality promises to usher in a new level of user experience across the group’s platforms.
Pato Rocca, VP of Engineering for Asia, Latam, ME and Africa, said, “we’re delighted to bring this feature to the market and to our users. After a lot of technical challenges, the team has done some incredible work to make what was previously a dream into a reality.”
The feature works by using both a mobile phone’s microphone and camera together. Sellers will be directed to provide app access to their microphone and select ‘smell’ option when listing their item. They will then be asked to take a photograph with their phone at a specific distance from the item (depending on the item size and shape) in order to activate the ‘smell’ functionality. Once listed, buyers will see a ‘smell me’ button next to the item’s listing photos. When pressed, the buyer sniffs their phone in order to smell the item.
All product categories will have the option to add ‘smell’ when listing, though the feature will work best for items with the strongest and most identifiable smells such as new cars, real estate properties with large kitchens, and very old cheeses. Job listers are advised to take a photo of their office, in order to give job candidates a sense of the smell of their potential workplace.
The new feature will be available exclusively for app users in countries using the new OLX platform, namely Pakistan, South Africa and India, and starting from this week. There are plans to roll out the feature to other brands and apps within OLX Group in the near future.
Olaf Zschiedrich, CTO of OLX Group, said, “our new feature is an exciting and revolutionary development in the world of classifieds. Our users are always at the front and center of our thinking, and we look forward to providing both buyers and sellers with a unique new experience.”
If you are looking into buying or selling vehicles in Pakistan, log on to OLX Pakistan and find a large variety of listings. Choose the one that best suits your specifications and budgetary requirements. You can also find listings on the property, mobile phones, home appliances, furniture, animals and much more!
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