AMPlify to Enhance Mobile Application Development Capabilities.
Local mobile applications developers can now gain advanced technical skills training and hands-on experience with leading mobile MNC partners.
This is made possible with the newly launched Applications-on-Multi-Platforms Simplify (AMPlify) initiative announced today by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).
Working with MNC partners such as Google, Microsoft, Nokia and Research In Motion (RIM), developers will receive training in technical areas relevant to the partners’ operating platforms, including cross-platform technologies, web-based technologies, and user interface and experience design.
They will also be given the opportunity to leverage the partners’ channels to market the solutions they have developed during the training period.
Highlighting the increased interest and usage in consumer and enterprise mobile applications, Mr Andrew Khaw, Senior Director for the Industry Development Group, IDA said, “Mobility is a key growth driver for our Infocomm industry. We look forward to grooming highly skilled local mobile talents under the AMPlify initiative that can position our iLEs competitively for long-term growth. It is heartening to know that our leading mobile MNCs partners share the same sentiments and have offered their resources to work with our local mobile developers to strengthen their capabilities. We hope other MNC partners will be encouraged to join in the cause.”
Google is excited to be part of the AMPlify initiative with the IDA to help local developers harness the power of the mobile web,” said Andrew McGlinchey, Head of Product Management, Google Southeast Asia. “To make it easy for developers to build and distribute applications, we provide tools that include over 60 versatile APIs for our products, cloud infrastructure through App Engine, millions of lines of open source code, and innovative mobile monetisation platforms. We are committed to helping developers drive innovation on the mobile web that will result in powerful and compelling applications for users and businesses that reach millions of people around the globe.”
“Microsoft firmly believes in the value of the building and supporting the local software economy wherever we operate. We are excited to participate in AMPlify and iLEAD, which can have a real impact on the rapidly growing mobile application development market. This is an opportunity for Singapore developers to gain prominence globally as new mobile platforms enter the market including the forthcoming Windows Phone 7 platform. Microsoft is proud to provide support for IDA initiatives that create a positive growth environment for Singapore’s developer and entrepreneur communities,” said John Fernandes, Director, Developer & Product Evangelism, Microsoft Singapore.
Kenny Mathers, Head of Forum Nokia, Developer Relations and Marketing, APAC, said, “We are very excited to be part of this strategic initiative driven by IDA. Developers are central to Nokia’s strategy of an open ecosystem and future success. With more than 4 million developers registered with Forum Nokia worldwide, our focus is on driving innovation with developers to bring exciting content and applications to Nokia mobile users across our technology platforms. At the local level, Nokia plays a key role in building strategic collaborations with government agencies such as IDA, schools and learning institutions to train and equip mobile architects and developers of the future. That is why Nokia is committing our support and resources in the AMPlify initiative by IDA.”
“RIM is proud to be a founding partner and supporter of the AMPlify initiative and shares a common vision with the IDA that is focused on nurturing the developer community in Singapore,” said Gregory Wade, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, RIM. “RIM is committed to providing developers in Singapore with the tools, capabilities and support that will help them successfully design, distribute and monetise applications for the BlackBerry platform.”
Besides AMPlify, which leverages IDA’s Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD) under the niche technology area of Application Development, it was also announced that the iLEAD programme will be enhanced to offer more training and attachment opportunities in two new niche technology domains: Business Analytics and Infocomm in Business Domains.
These two new domains will add to the existing five areas of Application Development, Cloud/Grid Computing, Green IT, Infocomm Security and Network Engineering.
