Globe Labs Reshaping the Mobile App Market

Globe Labs, the innovation arm of Globe Telecom, recently launched its Globe Labs Challenge 2008 to foster its young developer community in Globe Labs and to release its new API (Application Programming Interface) for SMS and MMS.

Globe Labs Challenge - Register until Aug. 21, 2008 (Thursday)

Upon signing up to be part of the Globe Labs developer community (individual or institution), you can then form a team (1-3 pax) and submit a proposal for an application that mashes up with Globe Telecom’s technologies. There’s a prize of P300,000 for the winning team for each category — so go now and choose from the 6 categories:

1. Location Based and Location Dependent Services
2. Media Sharing/Storage
3. Graphical User Interface to Services
4. Server-based Enhanced SMS/MMS Applications (via Globe SMS/MMS API)
5. Mobile Social Networking
6. Shopping on the Phone

Important Dates - Globe Labs Challenge 2008

• Aug. 21 Sept. 4 Last day to register for the Challenge
• Sept. 18 Sept. 18 Last day to submit Proposal
• Oct. 28 Nov. 11 Last day to submit your App
• Nov. 12 Announcement of Finalists
• Nov. 21 Awarding Ceremonies

Globe SMS/MMS API

The SMS/MMS API allows 3rd party developers (for now, limited to Globe Labs Challenge participants) who speak Java, PHP, Perl, C/C++/C#, ASP and .NET to send and receive SMS and MMS to Globe phones via SOAP/XML. (Personally, why not REST?) So now you can enable your web applications for Globe subscribers - Globe API for non-commercial use. Despite the cap of 200 SMS/MMS per day per developer/application, this at least lowers the high cost of renting an access code.

Meetup with Globe Labs Team and PHP User Group

On August 16, 2008 at Dome, Podium, Ortigas Center, the Globe Labs Team presented a more in-depth look at the new Globe SMS/MMS API and answered questions from the PHP User Group about the upcoming Globe Labs Challenge. Blue de Venecia, iCenter Evangelist of Globe Labs and Globe Labs Team members Greg Igaya, and Sherwin Sowy. Sherwin presented the Challenge mechanics and Greg demonstrated two simple apps that used Globe’s API (one connected to Yahoo!’s spelling API and the second sent MMS to Flickr’s photostream).

Watch Out Chikka, Information Gateway

As with the release of any API, Globe has taken a big leap in opening up mobile application development - previously limited to the likes of giants Chikka and Information Gateway. If even freelance developers can mashup to Globe’s API to release mobile-and-web integrated services straight from the grassroots (the actual people who use it), we can expect many more rich and useful apps. Useful apps, especially those that win the Challenge could be built to scale — I just hope it would be cheaper than the usual P2.50/text. Smart, Sun Cellular should seriously rethink their innovation strategies. This API certainly lowers the barriers to entry previously enjoyed by mobile app providers Chikka and Information Gateway.

Credit: Photos via Ann Michelle Santos of PHPUGPH

Updates on the competition posted!