MDEC and Nokia kick off Icon
KUALA LUMPUR: Custodian of the MSC Malaysia Initiative, the Multimedia Development Corp, is collaborating with Finnish mobile phone maker, Nokia, to help local content developers produce mobile applications for the Windows Phone 8 platform.
Through MDeC’s Integrated Content Development programme (Icon), the organisations plan to offer customised training and community support for up to 100 developers to help them learn about the Windows Phone 8 platform, as well as hone their technical expertise.
In addition to that, Nokia will also offer its Premium Developer programme, which will get content developers up to speed with the tools required to create, maintain and deliver world class mobile applications.
Icon was started in 2009 to engage, train and provide funding for local content developers to produce high quality digital content for the world market.
MDeC chief operating officer, Ng Wan Peng, said about 300 apps have been produced by content developers who have undergone the Icon programme. The apps have been downloaded more than 300,000 times from the Apple AppStore and Google Play stores.
“We are looking forward to the collaboration with Nokia because it will open up new market opportunities for our content developers,” she said at a press conference to announce the collaboration, following the launch of Nokia’s Lumia 620. The Windows Phone 8 smartphone retails for RM799.
She said the developers will be trained by both Nokia and Microsoft on technical and soft skills, before pitching their solutions to a panel of judges. This is to help them better understand market needs, she said.
“We will be starting with 100 developers with the first leg of this collaboration. If it is successful, we may increase the numbers,” she said.
Gary Chan, Nokia Pan Asia head of marketing said its partnership with MDeC will build a more vibrant mobile content development eco system.
Although Windows Phone 8 has a limited market share in the mobile operating system compared to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, it has great potential, said Chan.
“The Windows Phone 8 operating system shares the same kernel as Windows 8 on the PC. Apps can be developed with shared components, which will run on all devices powered by the OS such as PCs, tablets and smartphones,” he said.
“The multi-device capability allows developers to reach more devices.”
Microsoft estimates that there will be more than 400 million devices powered by Windows 8 this year.
MDeC and Nokia are inviting developers to participate in this year’s Icon programme which will kick off next month. For more information, go to www. mscmalaysia.my/ICON.