Yes, the cephalopod soothsayer who became a media sensation during the World Cup by correctly predicting Germany's seven victories and Spain's win in the championship match has gone digital. And now he's ready to tell you if it's going to rain or shine tomorrow, if the Miami Heat will win the next nine NBA titles, or whatever other critical information you need to know.
Brazilian developers uTouch Labs released "Ask the Octopus" on July 14, an app that allows a cartoon version of Paul to help users make decisions -- be they basic or mind-boggling. Simply enter two possible options, and the eight-legged oracle will make a choice, hopefully guiding your life in the right direction.
Courtesy of uTouch Labs
After gaining fame for correctly predicting the outcomes of World Cup games, Paul the Psychic Octopus is ready to tell your future in a new iPhone app from uTouch Labs.
According to uTouch Labs' marketing and product manager, Leonardo Copello, the idea for the app struck him after reading AOL News Editor Steve Pendlebury's report on the psychic phenom earlier this month.
"Brazilians are soccer lovers, so we are watching the FIFA World Cup and a really curious octopus appears as an oracle in the match games. It caught our attention, and we brainstormed about an application for mobile devices," he said.
It took five days of working around the clock for the company to design the character and program the app.
"The main idea was to create a fun way to randomly choose between two options," Copello explained. "Sushi or Italian food? And who can choose the right one? The octopus of course!"
It may be random, but the digital Paul has already shown a tendency to take after its flesh-and-blood counterpart in the world of sports.
Just ask Josh Combs, a New York City art director and iPhone user who enlisted the clairvoyant sea creature to pick the winners of three baseball games last night.
It went 3 for 3.
Roland Weihrauch, AFP / Getty Images
Paul the Psychic Octopus became a celebrity after correctly predicting the outcome of World Cup games. Now, he's the inspiration for a new iPhone app.
The Braves beat the Brewers (2-1), the Cubs clubbed the Phillies (12-6), and the Rangers stomped over Combs' beloved Red Sox (7-2).
"I'm angry with him for that," he said. "But I'm excited that Paul is capitalizing on his new-found fame."
Well, maybe not Paul personally, but uTouch Labs is certainly benefiting. So far the app has been a hit. This morning the app-tracking site topappcharts.com had it ranked No. 32 in the "Entertainment" category.
"We are getting huge sales around the world; we are impressed with this world phenomenon!" Copello said.
Aside from being a business success, Copello says the app has provided good fortune personally.
"I have asked the octopus some things, but he told me that some are not publishable," he said with a laugh. "But the octopus always hit the best answer!"
Source:
http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/paul-the-psychic-octopus-available-as-iphone-app-by-utouch-labs/19557148
