Smart and mobile content provider Youphoric Labs invite local developers to join “SMS.Appified,” a coding competition showcasing the Youphoric SMS API, a new platform that will allow them to quickly launch SMS-based apps on the Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular networks.
The hackathon, co-organized by the Smart Developer Network (SmartDevNet) and Youphoric, will be held on September 21 at the Meralco Multipurpose Hall in Ortigas Center.
Interested developers may go solo or form a team of up to three people and register for free at http://www.hackathon.io/sms-api-fied More information about the event can be found on www.youphorichack.eventbrite.com
Prizes include O+ devices and a one-month space, connectivity, and mentoring package from Palet Express.
Those who want to join may do pre-work on their apps. The API can be accessed through www.youphoriclabs.com/SMSApps/apigee
Youphoric SMS API can be accessed by both developers and non-developers for free. It will let them quickly and easily create SMS-based apps for subscriptions, trivia contests, notifications, customer service, information on demand, polling, coupon subscriptions, coupon pulls, and promos. (Those who intend to launch SMS-based promos will still need to get permits from the Department of Trade and Industry.)
“We are pleased to inform everyone that Youphoric Labs is the first content provider to offer this service. We’ve taken the bite out of setting up and running an SMS service, making it accessible to everyone,” said Youphoric Labs founder Ann Jacobe, who will be one of the judges during the event.
“Through this platform, developers can now create web and mobile apps that will communicate via SMS with more than 70 million mobile phone users on the Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular networks, majority of whom have no smartphones or do not use mobile Internet,” said Smart developer evangelist Paul Pajo.
“The Youphoric SMS API platform is part of a bigger initiative — Smart’s Partner API Program which encourages traditional mobile content providers to expand into the API space and provide their capabilities to third-party developers. Expect more API services and educational events resulting from this program,” said Jim Ayson, Smart senior manager for partner management and developer relations.
Partners for the event are Meralco, Smart Bro, O+, and Palet Express.