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Mobile apps in full flower. |
Smartphones and tablets are becoming a part of life in Taiwan. The number of companies and workers engaged in developing apps for mobile devices is also growing.
In view of this, the Industrial Development Bureau of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced its plan to invest over NT$100 million to build an apps park. The plan is to foster 10 R&D teams in the first phase of the project, to be expanded depending on their success.
More people are now engaged in the development of apps for mobile devices and these new apps generate opportunities.
A Taiwan apps developer recently developed an app for a virtual "keycard lock" that makes use of iCloud technology. Even if the user forgets to bring a keycard, the door can still open by accessing the relevant website via a mobile phone and keying in a pin. This is also a technique for managing data files online.
This system has already been applied in a university dormitory and will be installed in residential buildings to facilitate security patrols and property management.
The security app is the latest achievement from Taiwan's developers. It combines traditional electronic locks with online technology and can issue commands by accessing a website.
It can also disable a keycard online and entry and exit data can be sent to a phone to keep the user updated.
The technology provided by Flying Piggy (developed by Taiwan's Softstar) and 3D Fun Catcher developed by Auer are popular and recorded large numbers of downloads.
The App Store opened for the iPhone, iPad and other devices and the Android Market offered by Google have fuelled apps downloads in Taiwan.
Character licensing generated by game apps is taking off, but so too are peripheral opportunities such as animation production and advertising. Presumably they'll provide further drive for Taiwan R&D companies to develop new apps.
With a winning edge in innovation, Taiwan is also looking for more opportunities from overseas app players and marketing firms.
from Tammy Hsieh, Taiwan Office
(Image courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/scanrail)
