“With KooKoo APIs, I could transform my idea into a Real App” says Yadunandan Batchu, Winner of 1st KooKoo Mashup Challenge
"To reduce the huge financial divide between the online and the offline regions of the world, I have tried to fill the gap through the KooKoo IVR system along with
I have used:
1. Toshi API (for
2.
3.
5. Direct use of KooKoo REST API through XML responses
The hack is still a limited prototype. Need a lot of fixes (Currently can send transactions only if there is a unspent_output with value greater than the amount to be sent). Future steps: 1. Encrypting the data base with the User’s
Here is what he says about his experience with KooKoo APIs
Why did you choose this problem?
I am very passionate about the Bitcoin concept and I had this idea for a while but did not know how to approach it and build on it. When I came across the KooKoo Mashup challenge and got access to the Kookoo APIs, it took me couple of days of work to crack the problem. I just wanted to grow the reach of bitcoin to offline users. Most population is not connected on the internet so the idea was to reach out to the offline users. I have given a provision to transfer Bitcoins over phone numbers.
How did you find the KooKoo APIs?
It was very easy to adapt. Initially, I found that there was documentation only for Java and php so I had to use bare xml to interact with KooKoo. It would be very helpful if there would be more documentation and library for all languages. I also suggest that developers be given free outbound SMS service for developer accounts. This could be provided with some limit for developer accounts. This facility would have allowed me to integrate the app with sms . I did not explore it because it was a paid service.
How much impact do you think Bitcoin will have in the payment industry?
It is surely going to become a mandatory payment option very soon and might replace some of the traditional methods like paypal , western union and money bookers. It is also being called as an asset class if not a transaction instrument. It is expected to surpass gold investment and will be considered more reliable investment . Some of the countries like Lithuania, Argentina are pressing it to be a reserve currency by the government.
Will you continue this project to build a Startup?
Any other comments, for young hackers in the country?
Hacking is a great way to solve problems innovatively and find how other people are addressing the same problem in different ways.