Optus has unveiled their latest Optus Living Network innovation, Optus Sidekick, in a bid to provide their customers with some reassurance that they are not alone. The new feature is part of the My Optus app and allows their customers to quickly check in with trusted contacts when more reassurance is required, such as when walking home alone.
Tapping on the Optus Sidekick tile in the My Optus app brings up a dialogue that allows the user to enter a timer for when they will check in with up to three contacts. Optus Sidekick automatically notifies the trusted contacts via SMS if the user has not checked in by the chosen time, suggesting they get in contact with them.
Kate Brodie, Optus’ Director, Digital AI, said, “Optus Sidekick was initiated as a passion project by our team who, from experience, research and news stories, realised that a certain sense of apprehension when out and about alone wasn’t uncommon and we wanted to give our customers just a little more peace of mind.”
“Many of us can identify with that feeling of wanting someone to check in with us in a little while to make sure we are okay, even if we can’t exactly pinpoint why we feel that way. It may feel awkward to ask someone for that extra assurance.“
The new feature is not just for women but for all users whenever they need that reassurance and especially has uses with kids and the elderly as well. Optus will use a beta trial of the service on iOS devices to test and learn through customer and community feedback.
Optus Sidekick is part of the Optus Living Network which also includes Unlimited Data Day, Donate Your Data, Optus Call Translate, Optus Pause, Optus WiFi Secure®, and Game Path, with more features to come. If you are an Optus customer and want to check out the new Optus Sidekick head on over to the Optus website.
