Tools for Humanity, the for-profit firm behind Sam Altman’s crypto-powered World Network, has released an update for its “Mini Apps” called Mini Apps 1.2. The company has also announced the launch of a Developer Rewards pilot program worth $300,000, exclusively shared with Blockworks.
Mini Apps version 1.2 aims to improve the user experience by enabling faster loading times, adding haptic feedback, allowing for customization, and the ability to pin favorite mini apps to the phone’s home screen without opening the Worldcoin Wallet app. Additionally, users can access mini apps through the search bar on iOS. The app is currently available in 30 countries, including the US.
World now supports over 150 mini apps, with the majority being developed by third-party developers.
The Developer Rewards pilot program by Tools for Humanity will kick off on April 1, offering developers the opportunity to earn from a pool of $300,000 in Worldcoin or WLD for creating and updating a mini app.
WLD price over time, from Blockworks Research
Developers have the potential to earn up to $25,000 a week in Worldcoin if their app performs well, according to Tools for Humanity’s Chief Product Officer Tiago Sada.
Rewards will be distributed based on the engagement of World ID-verified users with each mini app.
Sada mentioned that popular trends within the World ecosystem include games, AI apps/assistants, finance apps, lending apps, airdrop apps, payment apps that support WLD transactions, and eSIM apps. These apps can be used with stablecoins or WLD, with transactions occurring on World’s Ethereum L2, World Chain.
Transactions on World Chain, per World
Sada highlighted that many of these mini apps are designed to reward users rather than extract funds from them. While user monetization is on the horizon, the focus currently lies elsewhere.
Concepts like play-to-earn, tap-to-earn, and move-to-earn have posed challenges over time, with token prices often plummeting as earners cash out. Sada emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable system that rewards users for valuable actions.
Regarding transactions, Sada noted the complexities due to Apple and Google’s app store rules. While some transactions within mini apps go directly to developers, certain transactions like buying an NFT may require in-app purchases. However, transactions such as purchasing a plane ticket or an eSIM card with a credit card within a mini app do not incur the “Apple tax” within the World app.
The distinguishing factor of World compared to platforms like Telegram or X/Twitter is its ability to differentiate between bots and genuine users. Additionally, with the overwhelming nature of Telegram and chaos in X, World provides a more streamlined experience.
When asked about competitors like Telegram integrating bots into their platform, Sada expressed his appreciation for chatbots and AI, highlighting the importance of clarity for users.