Google is reportedly beta testing a new app called Task Mate with select Indian users, with the idea of awarding users money for performing certain tasks. These tasks can include recording certain phrases, taking photos of businesses, etc. and the app will reward the user with real Indian rupees, which can be cashed out directly into a bank account.
The app is similar in concept to the Google Opinion Rewards app which is currently available to everyone. In that app, users can answer survey questions for Google and be rewarded Play Store credit, which can be used across the Play Store, Play Movies and Play Books. This money is not transferable however.
Task Mate on the other hand is based around surveys. Instead, users can perform certain tasks such as
- Take photos of shopfronts
- Record clips of certain phrases
- Transcribe sentences
- Check shop details, and more
Another element of this app is that the app will reward money in the user’s local currency, which in the case of Indians is the Indian Rupee. When the user wants to cash out, they can simply click a button and the app will transfer money to an e-wallet account or with an in-app payment partner that was registered in advance.
The beta testing appears to be based on an invite-only system and at the moment, all the beta program user count is maxed out. It is unclear as to how long will the testing phase last, but we can assume that once testing is complete, Google will roll it out widely to Indian users.