UMeTime Inc. has created a new app called Hooked, currently exclusive for only four universities across the nation, and the University of Illinois is one of them. The app is specific to these schools alone because it is based on the user’s location and businesses around them. Its goal is to show real-time, short-term deals from the local restaurants and bars on campus to the students who have the app.
First things first, before even learning more about the app, just know, it is FREE. Students are looking to get their money’s worth when they go out to eat, and Hooked understands that. The idea of the app is to save students money, let them know about deals or just learn about local restaurants they may not know of around campus. Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt and Which Wich always seem to have deals, along with Caffe Bene, a small coffee shop in Urbana. These are all great new places to try, in hopes Hooked will drive customers to come purchase items.
The reasoning behind the name Hooked is because the app is based off of the deals being called “Hooks”. Once you download the app, it will use your location and show you the deals around you. For U of I, the deals range from a free donut with a large coffee purchase from Dunkin Donuts, to 25% of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, to buy a sub get one free at Sliver Mine Subs but that’s not even all of them. The deals are short-term which means they are updated around every five hours. This way, if you don’t see a deal that catches your eye right away, you can check back again later. Since it is a given amount of time, the deal also shows you the time remaining you have before the deal is gone. The deals are displayed on a newsfeed, showing the deal, name of restaurant and even a picture to go along with it. Since the app is based off of location, it will only be associated with the businesses close by to you.
Once you do find a deal you’re interested in, all you have to do is tap the “Get Hooked” on the screen. You simply head to the restaurant show the cashier that “You Got Hooked” and it’s yours! The only thing you cannot do is actually buy the food off the app, you have to physically be in the store and show them you are “hooked” in order to obtain the deal. If you’re unsure where exactly the place is, it gives you the distance away and a map as to it’s exact location.
Just like Zondr and Yik Yak, apps tend to become very popular when introduced to students on campus. Hooked offers something that any student would want, an opportunity to save money but still get good food. If you’re looking for a reason to go out to eat, Hooked is the app for you. It all starts with a simple free download from the app store.
