Reliance Jiosphere : Platform to earn JioCoins.
Reliance has talked about the Jio coin in as early as 2018, but I guess the actual development for this project started once Reliance forged the collaboration partnership with the Polygon labs. Actually, Jio Platforms that is the Reliance Digital arm and also the telecom service provider under Reliance Jio collaborated with Polygon to leverage the polygon Blockchain infrstucture. Reliance Jio is currently the largest telecom operator with a user base close to 460 millions. Polygon founder Sandeep Nailwal himself shared the updates of product with the Cointelegraph as follows :
“We’re building at an insane pace, onboarding massive partners, and pushing blockchain into the mainstream, but with that growth comes the responsibility to make sure we’re doing it the right way,”
Jio coin that will reside in the Jiosphere is based on the web browser. The app is now currently available on Google playstore for the android version as well as for the Apple/ios user. After installing the app , the registration process is quite simple as it ask for the mobile number and sends the OTP to the mobile number for signing in.
In the backgroud I do see some human unreadable "wallet" address but app dis not ask for store wallet address and passphrase at all. I am guessing the they are creating custodial wallets on the behalf of the users and users can just take benefits of their service by just providing the mobile number.
When you check the app, you will find quick link to the variety of the service including Amazon and other leading retail e commerce players. Interesting it also contain the link to the various social media including facebook and other entertainment sites.
I just used briefly and will be further exploring it in coming days. Interestingly, app also provide Google search bar inside it's interface so that you can search the information inside the app. For this, there is support of multiple language and incogntio mode also exists. Whatever I have observed till now, it definitely look like a single platform where you can find every service and app needed for your day to day needs.
My 2 cents.
Technically, I can say that I am not much impressed as it not the product that has bought some innovation, But it's impact in the Indian consumer can be huge. Being the largest Telecom operator in India, they already have reach to a strong userbase. Reliance itself has presence in many sectors including retail where they have Jiomart brand that is in the direct competition with Amazon, Ajio brand deal with the fashion category, With Jio Finance they are already have their footprints in financial services, There telecom services also include broadband and the TV/entertainment services. With Jiopay they are in the payment gateway industry too. This list can go on and if Reliance is not in any sector, then it is not a difficult task for reliance to launch a service on this sector either by delivering from scratch or acquire some established market player on this sector.
Though app will allow the user to earn Jio coins benefitting users but if this app become go to app for all Indians then I think it will potentially change the Indian business landscape and cement the Reliance place in every industry and in every walk of life.