Maxis enables the hearing-impaired to experience the Takbir with new app

Maxis has launched a mobile app “Deria Takbir” in conjunction with Hari Raya. The app enables the hearing-impaired to experience the Takbir, a common islamic Arabic expression, through visuals and vibrations.The Deria Takbir app converts real-time sound waves into visual patterns and haptic feedback, allowing users to feel the Takbir’s rhythm and melody. This is done by utilising pre-existing accessibility features already present on iPhone such as the haptic engine.In conjunction with the launch, Maxis also produced a short film “Deria Takbir Raya“, which follows Faiz, a little boy who is deaf in real life. On Hari Raya, his father hands him the iPhone with the Deria Takbir app and for the first time, Faiz experiences the feeling of being present during the Takbir. The film has garnered over 264,382 views since its upload four days ago.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3hQGM1Cm3cTai Kam Leong, Maxis’ head of brand and marketing, said this campaign is “especially meaningful” as there were many involved parties such as the iPhone team and the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) which provided “valuable insights”. He added that this campaign is an “example” of the Maxis’ commitment to “enable Malaysians and Malaysia”.In the process of creating the app, Maxis worked with the MFD to better understand the challenges that the deaf community experiences, as well as consulted Islamic Affairs officer and Imam of Masjid Ara Damansara, Uztaz Mohammad Khairul Bin Mohd Lias.“The Takbir has always been an important part of prayer during Aidilfitri, but something I’ve found challenging to follow as someone who is deaf. The Deria Takbir app, which engages with our heightened sense of sight and touch through visuals and vibrations, lets us experience the Takbir in a unique way. I believe this app will make a difference in the lives of the deaf community in Malaysia,” said Mohamad Sazali Shaari, president of the MFD.Read also:Maxis designs new concept store for the digital savvy customersMalaysia Airlines dishes out student discounts with Maxis, Grab and Expedia tie-upMaxis marketer Tai Kam Leong on navigating media proliferationTech isn’t a silver bullet and talent is still an issue, says Maxis marketer Tai Kam Leong