This Vodacom Developer Programme aims to create an environment of collaboration and innovation amongst the local developer community. Prins Mhlanga, managing executive of Digital Media at Vodacom, commented: “We see the Apps Store as the embryo of an ecosystem. We’re looking forward to building a network of successful local developers, so they can help develop apps that help South Africans. “With our apps initiative, we hope to complement and enhance this already vibrant community.” The programme promises to be a valuable knowledgesharing and learning exercise for the industry as a whole. Those attending will be provided with the opportunity to: engage with the most renowned industry specialists in the mobile apps marketplace; discuss tools to monetize apps; identify training opportunities in the mobile apps environment; and gain insight into Vodacom’s innovation incentives and available technical and commercial support. The Vodacom Apps Store was launched on 1 September 2011, and features a catalogue of over 140,000 applications powered by Appia, one of the world’s largest open application marketplaces. All Vodacom customers who wish to access Vodacom apps can do so by visiting http://vodacom.mobi/apps on their mobile phones or from the apps feature on Vodafone live! “The opportunities for further development in the Vodacom Apps Store are significant considering it also supports all major platforms including Android, BlackBerry, Java, Symbian and Windows Mobile,” Mhlanga concluded..