Google App Hack - Ramadan

Working with Google in SEA we proposed a ‘Hack’ of their main app platforms to cater to those during the time of Ramadan.

This is a time of fasting, family and forgiveness and there was an opportunity to help make this time even more special as well as being helpful.

Also included was an idea to create ‘Forgiveness Lanterns’ which allows people to publicly offer their forgivenesses of the wrongs they committed.

Below is merely a light overview of the project.

YouTube App
RAMADAN MODE

The homepage remains largely familiar to the users although there is now an option to ‘Turn on Ramadan mode’ using a simple toggle component.

When in Ramadan Mode, a number of things happen. The header delivers live timings for how long is left until Iftar. The header scene adjusts as well to reflect the time of day.

Need:

Entertain myself (so I can kill time before Iftar comes)
with positive content throughout the month

Tension:

There’s a lot of negative content online that I should not consume

Solution:

Ramadan mode on YouTube (tab/page that can be accessed from YT homepage) which contains:
• Religious music & content
• Food recipes
• How To videos
• Ramadan specific YT’er content
• I’m feeling… search inspiration feature 
• Offline playlist generator based on countdown time to
Iftar OR duration of homecoming journey

Google Maps
RAMADAN MODE

Google Maps in Ramadan Mode enables you to invite family members to join a closed group to allow their long journey home to be tracked and updated, live. It also taps into relevant locations and places along your journey as well as a Prayer Reminder that directs towards Mecca.

Need:

Make sure the whole family stays safe throughout the journey

Tension:

Difficulty to keep track other than through chat

Solution:

Ability to share real time location to others & track multiple users on Maps with estimate of how far (time/distance) they are from you or from destination Suggesting or adding pitstops 

Google Allo
RAMADAN MODE

Need:

Getting together with old friends for break fast 

Tension:

Always difficult to align on a place that is available and time that everyone agrees on

Solution:

• Restaurant suggestions 
• Real time info about location, distance, availability (waiting list/queue line)
• Group voting
• Setting time in calendar & send notification  

Google Photos
RAMADAN MODE

Need:

Share my Ramadan journey and celebration with friends

Tension:

It isn’t always easy to document your journey through Ramadan or keep track 

Solution:

• Greeting card generator/templates from family photos
• Food templates (Day 1 of 30 Ramadan) to share different foods throughout the month
•End of the month have a recap album

Forgiveness Lanterns
RAMADAN MODE

Need:

Asking for forgiveness from friends/family for faults before Idul Fitri/Hari Raya/Lebaran holiday

Tension:

Some apologies are hard to make in person/face to face

Solution:

Give opportunity for people to ask for forgiveness indirectly/anonymously and post on digital wall.