Samsung’s Director, Mobile & IT, Samsung Electronics East Africa,Manoj Changarampatt listens to app developers Mercy Orangi & Sammy Karumba as they explain how their KWS Guide App works during the Samsung Show n’ Tell
Samsung Electronics in partnership with @iLab Africa unveiled eight new locally developed mobile applications (apps) during the 2nd edition of the Samsung Apps Show N’ Tell.
The event brings together local app developers and provides a platform for them to showcase their innovations as part of a research and development programme run by Strathmore University’s @iLab Africa, a research and incubation facility that supports entrepreneurship programs in apps and software development.
The apps unveilled are just some of those that have been in development, with more expected to be released in the coming months. Those launched include:
- App Wakili – designed to ease access to legal information in Kenya, this app allows users to search lawyers registered with the Law Society of Kenya, their contacts, and areas of expertise including corporate law, dispute resolution, regional and international law, among others
- National Assembly and County Assembly App – allows the Kenya National Assembly and County Assembly to access the standing orders and order paper on tablets and mobile phones, ensuring continuity of in-house business and cutting costs related to printing order papers. The app also allows legislators to vote on a subject/debate
- Laikipia Wildlife Forum App – this was developed to compliment environment conservation efforts within Laikipia. The app provides information on sites and attractions within the area, eases navigation to the different sites and maps out donor funded projects that both local and international tourists may be interested in supporting
- KCA University App – targeted at students of the university, the app delivers content to students, ranging from information on extra-curricular activities such as clubs and sports to access to the school’s library system. The app also allows for course registration and enrolment of new students
- Kenya Wildlife Service Guide App – enables tourists locate national parks, conservancies, reserves and amenities within the parks
- Halal Kenya App – in recognition of the importance of Halal certification to the Muslim community, this app provides a listing of Halal-certified establishments and their locations, and allows users to review them. The app also enables users to report non-Halal practices being carried out at establishments purporting to be Halal to the Kenya Halal Bureau
- Uganda Legal App – targeted at law students, lawyers, judges and magistrates, this app eases access to legal information in Uganda. Information available includes: judiciary calendar, Ugandan constitution (1995), cases and rulings, and gazette notices
- Pharmacy & Poisons Board (PPB) App – this app enables PPB inspectors register and validate pharmacies and their employees in real time and make the information available to the public. It also provides information on registered pharmacies, a key component of ensuring that the safety of Kenyans visiting pharmacies and using the drugs and other chemical substances sold at these pharmacies is not compromised
Each app is designed to provide relevant information to users, relying on information databases built by local teams and fashioned to present data and information in a way that is palatable for app users.
Speaking during the event Manoj Changarampatt, Samsung Electronics East Africa Director of Mobile and IT, said the apps were proof that the partnership between Samsung and @iLab Africa was bearing fruit, with local app developers now having both the resources and guidance required to pursue their passion for technology.