Good news taxi commuters, your ride has been officially pimped. No, not spinning mags and flashing lights, but rather free connectivity to the interweb.

A new app called Moovah! will roll out free wi-fi to selected minibuses across the country in a move that is sure to excite commuters. City Press reports:

Technology company Onroot has partnered with Absa and vehicle financing company SA Taxi to bring Moovah! to the market. The pilot phase will be rolled out in Gauteng from mid-April.

“Unlike other Wi-Fi services, the Moovah! app does not merely offer free internet connectivity. It allows access to mobile content that can be downloaded or streamed at high speeds, without the need for 3G, ADSL [fixed line] or electricity,” said Onroot chief executive and founder Megan Harrison.

Before you ask – yes, you will be able to download music and games. There will be a daily quota for each user but extra data can be earned through filling out surveys, providing personal details (like the internet doesn’t have those already) and watching adverts.

It’s not all selfless from the app’s side of course, as it offers the opportunity for brands to target specific consumers:

The system is geospecific and knows where on a given taxi route consumers find themselves. Brands are therefore able to offer deals and specials and collect consumer insights specific to a taxi route.

Your phones are watching you, but at least your commute can be less about wailing babies and more about lekker beats.

[source:citypress]