immedia Newsletter: August 2013

Updates, awards and outreach – August brings ’em all

It’s been a fruitful month for the immedia studio with many updates being shipped, major and minor, plus a few new apps available for download. Building upon an unexpected win at the NSTF awards last month, another of the immedia ecosystem’s products has won acclaim at this year’s MTN App of the Year Awards.

Out of hundreds of great apps submitted, DStv for iPad won Best iOS App for Consumers, and DStv for Windows 8 was a finalist in its category.

immedia are doing what we can to create some of these much-needed skills. CodeJam returns this month, with some of our team traveling to the Western Cape to provide training to aspiring app creators.

By popular request, #OpenNight has moved back to the last Thursday of every month. This time, we cover topics on both design and development issues, so tell your friends about it and let us know if you’d like to come through.

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App Award a testament to collaboration in SA

The MTN App of the Year winner for iOS has some Durban magic in it. In a sign of the growing relevance of Durban talent in the digital landscape, DStv for iPad won in its category for Best iOS App for Consumers.

Developed by a joint team, immedia and DStv Online, the tablet app offers television and entertainment fans a compelling platform to engage and consume content. DStv for iPad now incorporates the DStv Catch Up feature, enabling subscribers to choose when and where to watch your favourite shows. By simply logging in to your DStv Connect profile, thousands of delighted app users have access to around 500 episodes of local and international series and movies – right on your iPad.

immedia’s work with DStv was also a finalist in the Best Windows App category. Created in conjunction with RogueCode, a Durban-based Windows 8 development house, DStv for Windows 8 is a good expression of this growing ecosystem, taking advantage of many of the features offered by Windows 8 devices such as live tiles to display real-time information about the user’s favourite channels. Currently the top free app in the South African Windows Phone store, DStv for Windows 8 has remained in the top 5 since its launch earlier this year.
Read more »

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CodeJam returns to the Western Cape

This month, our team participates once again in CodeJam, an annual programme which aims to enable programming students to create meaningful native mobile apps. immedia provide the technical training and industry understanding of iOS development. The iOS training commenced in mid-August, to some of the top programming students from tertiary institutions around the Western Cape.

Based at the University of the Western Cape, the competition is about much more than just programing. With a focus on “Apps that Matter”, the programme involves an ideation phase where students themselves post ideas for useful and meaningful apps before commencing work on the top ideas. This focus on product creation opens the competition up to all students – not just developers.

CodeJam is part of a larger initiative facilitated by the WC Colab, a team of professionals and students that aims to incubate app skills development at secondary and tertiary level. Colab provides a learning space for young people to develop the skills and know-how to translate innovative solutions for real life challenges into mobile apps that can make a difference.

The best apps stand a chance to win sought-after prizes from some of the sponsors. A few lucky iOS students will also get the chance to intern with the immedia studio later on in the year, getting real-world skills training by delivering their own apps under the guidance of our team in Durban.

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SuperSport for iPad

After a major update to SuperSport for iPad, your second-screen experience takes your game-day experience to a whole new level! With live video for Rugby, Football, Cricket and more, SuperSport for iPad with its revamped interface will take care of all your sporting needs, wherever you are. Enjoy video highlights, real-time updates, live commentary, match chat and much, much more.

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Africa Magic for Windows Phone & Nokia Asha devices

The definitive guide to everything you want to know about Africa Ma gic is now available on your Windows 8 smartphone or your Nokia Asha device. Explore a full 7-day guide and access a direct portal to all the latest news and highlights with this user-friendly app.

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Let’s get appdated

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Interesting Insights

App helps to track stolen goods in Durban – IOL News
22 August 2013

Three men have been arrested in central Durban after an iPhone App helped police track stolen goods to a pawn shop less than an hour after the items were taken from a car in uMhlanga. La Lucia resident Jason Anthony stopped at uMhlanga Centre, formerly Buxton’s Centre, at about 5.15pm last week.

He claimed that a remote car jamming ploy prevented him from locking his car. On returning to his car about 10 minutes later he noticed his Apple laptop and iPad were missing… more »

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Instagrams from the team