Bandar Seri Begawan - Events are now 'going mobile'. Mobile users enjoy having all the information they need about a certain event at the tip of their fingers, while at the same time, it also serves as good news to sponsors as they see event apps as a valuable channel in reaching busy clients.

For any type of event, the right mobile app can transform an event to become more popular through instant sharing of news between people. The APICTA (Asia Pacific ICT Awards) 2012 app fits in this category, where the idea is to "allow first-hand information to spread to the public as it happens", said a local developer from Infindo technologies.

The app, he said, will not only allow the participants but also attendees and visitors from participating countries from other parts of the world to get instant update about the APICTA events schedules, results and news.

It helps to promote Brunei to these countries, along with its culture, people, heritage, as well as boost the tourism industry, as one of the features include a photo gallery of places of interest in the Sultanate.

APICTA's 16-member economies include Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

CEO of InfoCom Federation Brunei (IFB), Pg Sarimah Pg Hj Abd Latiff lauded the mobile app, saying that it is convenient for people nowadays, especially in Brunei, as they are "mobile trendy". She also said that the app depicts what is available on APICTA's website, including event schedules and information that are "very useful for all participants".

The app includes everything one needs to know about the upcoming APICTA 2012, including the latest news and updates, background of this year's 156 nominees, as well as guidelines. Currently, the free app is available for download for iPhone users, while the app for Android users will follow in the near future.

Seventeen categories comprise eGoverment to eLearning, Tertiary Student project, Tourism and Hospitality, Media and Entertainment, Security, Tools and Infrastructure Application, Research and Development and Sustainability and Green IT.

The event is an international awards programme aimed at increasing ICT awareness in the community, and assist in bridging the digital divide. By providing networking and product benchmarking opportunities to ICT innovators and entrepreneurs in the region, the programme is designed to stimulate ICT innovation and creativity, promote economic and trade relations, facilitate technology transfer, and offer business matching opportunities via exposure to venture capitalists and investors.

Participants of the awards programme comprise members of the APICTA Alliance.

APICTA 2012 is organised by the Ministry of Communications and is supported by The Authority of Info-Communications and Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) and InfoCom Federation Brunei (IFB).

The event will be held from December 2-5, at The Empire Hotel and Country Club. The judging session for all nominees will be for two days, starting December 3, followed by the awards presentation on December 5.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin