Tecno and Zalego are working together to reward the best entries in the Afmobi developer challenge this Saturday.
Zalego Ltd is a technology solutions firm specializing in mobile software development, value addition, consultancy and empowerment through training where as Tecno Telcom Ltd is a comprehensive mobile phone manufacturer specializing in R&D, manufacturing, sales and service and boasts itself as one of the major mobile phone suppliers in the world and a leading mobile phone manufacturer in China. The firm has plans to launch mid-end smartphones mid this year. To complement the strategy, Tecno is looking for local apps which will drive uptake of its phones.
Recently, the firm put up an app contest through the continent known as Afmobi Developer Challenge which is basically looking for Java apps for Tecno’s low end devices and Android apps for Tecno’s smartphones.The contest is especially interested in Swahili apps for Kenya, Amharic apps for Ethiopia and Hausa apps for Nigeria.
In the partnership, Zalego will give free application development training to interested developers.The ultimate goal of the contest is to expose the hidden talent within the Kenyan developer community.
At an event that will take place at Kenyatta University on 23th March this year,the two firms will offer cash and phone rewards to the top developers who will take home Ksh. 200,000 and an Android phone. The runners up will receive KSh. 150,000 and an Android handset while the third place gets KSh. 100,000 and an Android phone.Other top 10 entries will also win a Tecno Android smartphone each.
Tecno has plans to introduce new Android devices later this year including an Android-4-based device to retail at approximately KSh. 10,000. Other planned devices include a 5 inch low-resolution smartphone and a high end smartphone, similarly sized to the Samsung Galaxy S4, that will retail at between KSh. 20,000 to KSh. 25,000.