Vodacom yaja na AppStar Challenge

Vodacom imezindua shindano kwa wachawi wa masuala ya komputa na simu nchini Tanzania wenye uwezo wa kutengeneza application mbalimbali za simu.

Ifuatayo ni taarifa ya Vodacom:

Independent application developers in Tanzania are set to enjoy a new opportunity to showcase their talent courtesy of leading telecommunications company, Vodacom Tanzania’s new initiative dubbed the AppStar Challenge.

The challenge which has been designed to motivate and reward contestants who develop innovative, creative, functional and original mobile applications also presents participants with an opportunity to technological solutions that can be used in emerging countries to solve common problems and challenges facing the public.

Winners of the contest that allows multiple entries will be awarded locally and guaranteed entry into the international contest where the top five winners from all participating countries will be sponsored to an elaborate award event in South Africa later in November this year. Countries participating in the contest include; Egypt, Lesotho, Tanzania, South Africa and Qatar.

In the local contest, participants are encouraged to develop applications in various categories which include; games, social health, entertainment and mobile for good, leading to prize money of USD 2,000 for winners in each category. Thereafter, the contestant presenting the best application of all the winners will be granted an opportunity to join the international contest. There is a website dedicated to this contest where applicants can submit their applications and learn more about the contents; to learn more go to http://vodacomappstar.com/

According to Kelvin Twissa, Vodacom Tanzania Head of Brand Communication and Marketing, the new applications will be uploaded and distributed through Vodacom/Vodafone’s App Store, with individuals allowed to make multiple submissions until the end of the submission period.

Twissa revealed that subsequent to the first phase of the challenge which will target only Tanzanians, the grand winner will be sponsored to attend the international event in South Africa.

“The first phase is a local contest and developers are expected to register for the competition by the 7th of September 2012. They will have until the 21st of September 2012 to develop and publish their completed app to the Vodacom App Store,” explained Twissa.

He disclosed that during the international contest, the two winning apps will be nominated for submission to a panel of Vodacom’s international experts. Additionally, the app designers will get an opportunity to showcase their app through an in-person demonstration and presentation to the panel of judges.

“These nominations will be eligible to win the grand prize of USD 20,000. This is a great contest and we are proud to be part of it. I believe that it will give developers a chance to show what they have,” ” noted Twissa adding that, “We call upon developers from all corners to participate in this contest and we wish them the best of luck.”