App Showcase: Oko

What it does

Oko is a mobile navigation application designed with a strong focus on accessibility, particularly for visually impaired users. Its core function is to provide detailed, turn-by-turn walking directions. Beyond standard GPS, it uses the phone's camera to recognize elements in the environment, such as pedestrian crossing signals, to help users navigate intersections safely.

Where it shines

The app's strength is its clear, user-centric design that prioritizes safety and ease of use. The onboarding flow (00:00-00:48) is a perfect example, as it carefully explains why each permission is needed before asking for it. The navigation itself is straightforward, providing a clear route overview (01:20) and step-by-step instructions. The inclusion of an in-depth help guide for the pedestrian signal feature (01:57) demonstrates a thoughtful approach to user education for its unique technology.

UX highlights

• Permission Priming: The app uses warm-up screens (00:12, 00:20, 00:25) to explain the value of location, camera, and notification access before showing the system prompts. This builds trust and increases opt-in rates.
• Optional Sign-Up: Account creation is presented as an optional benefit at the end of onboarding (00:30), not a mandatory gate, which reduces initial friction.
• High-Contrast Interface: The dark mode UI with large, clear text and bright buttons is well-suited for users with low vision.
• Detailed Help Content: The guide for the pedestrian signal feature (01:57) is exceptionally thorough, covering how to hold the phone and interpret feedback, which is critical for an accessibility tool.
• Clear Navigation Hierarchy: Finding a destination and getting directions is a simple, linear process that starts from a clean home screen.

Monetization & growth

No monetization methods, such as subscriptions or a paywall, are visible in the video. The app appears to be entirely free to use. Growth seems to be centered on providing a valuable, accessible tool that serves a specific community need, likely relying on word-of-mouth and App Store discovery.

Who it’s for

The primary audience is visually impaired individuals who need a reliable tool for pedestrian navigation. Its features are designed to increase confidence and safety while walking in urban environments. However, its clear and simple interface could also appeal to any pedestrian looking for straightforward walking directions without the complexity of a vehicle-focused map app.

Notes & opportunities

While the app is well-designed, the transition from live navigation to a help screen by tapping an icon on the map could be made more explicit; it wasn't immediately clear what the icon did. The main map interface could also benefit from showing more contextual information, such as nearby points of interest, to further aid exploration. Finally, integrating Siri shortcuts more prominently during onboarding could help users access the app's key functions even faster.