A total of 132 world-class apps from 138 ICON developers are to be visible on the Windows global web and mobile app market.
The Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), via its MSC Malaysia ICON (Integrated Content Development) programme and Nokia, has announced the success of their partnership at the graduation ceremony of the pioneering class of the developers under this programme. The ceremony saw 138 developers graduate from the programme that had nurtured the development of their local mobile app content on the Windows Phone 8 platform.
The top ten outstanding ICON developers out of the 138 will be selected to be prominently featured in Malaysia across advertising materials, retail channels, events and roadshows. The chosen developers will also get access to the latest Nokia devices to test and develop their applications.
The Top 10 Icon developers are:
- Chia Shaw Chyn - 2014 Racing Guide, an app which shares news and latest info on Formula One racing.
- Aswin Chanthraksuwan - FirstBeacon, a multiuse app that pins secondary tiles to quickly SMS a user's contacts, finds the nearest emergency stops (police stations, hospitals, fire departments, etc.) and rings a safety alarm whenever in need.
- Ng Mun Keat - iPrint, an app that allows its users to create and share eCards.
- Koh Chean Siong and Low Lee Tak - SekMatYeah, an app to help users to select a restaurant/eatery intelligently.
- JeeShen Lee - GarageFinder, an app that locates the nearest car garage at the user's current location as well as provides the directions and phone number to the chosen garage.
- Leow Cheah Wei - Wave Generator, an app that allows a user's Windows Phone 8 to select the frequency (6 predefined
frequencies: 150Hz, 100Hz, 70Hz, 50Hz, 40Hz, 30Hz) to be generated via the smartphone. - Tan Yin See - Smart Shopper, which tracks the retailers' best prices for groceries, toiletries and even fresh products.
- (Winson) Chai Wuh Shing - MyPeribahasa, an app which has a collection of 3,800 Bahasa Malaysia proverbs for easy reference.
- Rokman B. Semail - Zip Zap Tiles, an educational gaming app.
- John Ingkili - Unfold, a game that unfolds new levels inspired by Nokia's history.
Speaking at the event, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, minister of communication and multimedia, said: "The partnership between ICON and Nokia builds an ecosystem that encourages integration and monetisation, creates awareness, and facilitates efficient distribution within the local and global industry networks. Our developers are given a fighting chance by expanding their ideas while minimising the risks involved in developing an app-based business, including the high costs of developing the app and starting a business venture. The global app economy is projected to grow to $143 billion in 2016 and this platform is perfect for our developers to leverage on and grab more than just a piece of the pie."
"The ICON platform continues to play a key role in turning Malaysia into a content creator nation," said Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, chief executive officer of MDeC. "Today's graduation ceremony shows that our local developers, who have created 132 apps through this platform, have broadened the scope of apps that are developed in line with Malaysia's aspirations of moving towards a high-income, knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. This partnership has allowed these developers to place greater emphasis on the quality of the content and applications. This is in line with MSC Malaysia's long-term strategy of honing local talents to create practical and creative solutions that appeal to the global market at large."
"As the Windows Phone ecosystem gains momentum, there is a greater desire for apps on the Windows Phone store," said Gary Chan, head of marketing, Nokia Pan Asia. "In the last half of 2013 alone, the Windows Phone Store saw a 62% increase in downloaded apps, and we are now growing and adding 500 apps each day. Our association with ICON will help us complement this demand by enabling Malaysian developers to build and sustain a profitable app business on Lumia and the Windows Phone platform. We are committed to provide them access to the most efficient tools and world-class support that will bring their ideas and hard work to life. This is an exceptional opportunity for Malaysian developers and offers a head start in building top mobile apps, while opening the doors to the fastest-growing platform in the world."
Through the partnership, ICON developers were given exclusive customised training and community support, building their knowledge base as well as technical expertise for the Windows Phone 8 platform. Developers were also given a chance to partake in a quick start programme that provides the necessary tools and services known as the Nokia Premium Developer Program (NPDP).
As a further incentive to drive the ICON developers' business and capabilities, Nokia introduced newer monetisation and analytics capabilities such as in-app purchase, in-app advertising and Nokia Ad Exchange. The ICON apps will also be heavily featured across Nokia's advertising material, retail channels, events and roadshows in Malaysia. To give these local apps an added global exposure, a dedicated ICON App collection created for all Nokia Lumia devices will be featured in the Windows Phone Marketplace.
To date, both the ICON and ICON2 programmes has upskilled and coached 448 Malaysians to create 464 mobile apps, 178 of which are on the Windows Phone platform. Cumulatively, the ICON programmes have garnered RM440,400 in revenues. Additionally, app developers from these two programmes have gone on to win nine local and international awards such as the Asean ICT Awards 2012, the Hong Kong Mobile Appsaniry Awards 2012 and the MSC Malaysia APICTA Awards 2012.
To find more details on the MSC Malaysia ICON program, kindly visit www.mscmalaysia.my/ICON.
