Fasmicro and Microscale Embedded,the partnership behind the Ovim Android tablet, have announced the opening of Ovim Store and Android Apps Competition.
The Ovim Store is a solution to monetize Android App in Nigeria since Android market does not accept paid App in Nigeria. As such, Fasmicro and Microscale are seeking local solutions instead of bundling Apps written for an American mogul. The partners take pride in that their ideas are original and in their capacity to provide service, not just hardware.
From the press release:
As we noted in statements during the unveiling of Ovim Tablet, we are into application and solution space business, and not necessarily hardware sale. Ovim will drive new services in Africa, beginning from Nigeria, and will simplify the lives of citizens and corporate entities.
Accordingly, we are building Ovim Store – an Android App store that will be exclusive for our Tablet. We have to take this strategy since Google Android Market does not allow paid Apps in Nigeria. So, for us to provide the services we need, we will bundle the Apps alongside the sale of the Tablet. And that means Apps makers in Nigeria can be paid!
In line with their objectives, a competition has been announced to motivate individuals and companies to develop Apps for exclusive inclusion in Ovim Store.
Top prize is a cash amount of N50,000. Submission Deadline is March 31, 2011.
For more details and full press release, head to Ovim Store and Android Apps Competition.
This post was written by
Mobile/web, serial lifestyle entrepreneur, speaker, MC/moderator, & writer. Owned over 80 mobiles & counting. That little extra edge of insanity...
Follow him on Twitter @Mister_Mobility.
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December 3rd, 2010 at 6:23 pm Browsing with
@Yomi, thanks for the info. This is a welcome development and it shows that these people have interest of Nigerians and Africans at heart.
” Top prize is a cash amount of N50,000. Submission Deadline is March 31, 2010. ”
Deadline seem to have passed or it it a typo?
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December 4th, 2010 at 9:37 am Browsing with
Not bad.
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December 4th, 2010 at 10:15 am Browsing with
A welcomed development. Nokia has beaten them to this. However kudos to them.
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December 5th, 2010 at 3:14 am Browsing with
Thanks Yomi for putting this message out.
This is to confirm that the deadline is 2011. Submission Deadline is March 31, 2011.
Thanks DeolaDoctor for catching this error. We have corrected it at Ovim Store and Android Apps Competition
Fasmicro Team
fasmicro.com
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December 5th, 2010 at 7:13 am Browsing with
We have effected the correct date now too.
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December 5th, 2010 at 6:54 pm Browsing with
Please note that we need to get MobilityNigeria.com Apps. We are looking forward for submissions to get this platform in a tablet form. MobilityNigeria is a solid source for most Nigerians abroad to know what is happening in mobile area in the country. The only of its kind. Fasmicro just developed a platform to distribute Ovim in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire. This means more money for any developer.
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December 5th, 2010 at 8:09 pm Browsing with
Fasmicro Team,
We would to send in an app but we have no Android developers on our team yet.
While we are on the subject, would you consider sending us a loan unit of your Ovim Tablet for review here on MobilityNigeria?
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December 7th, 2010 at 8:47 am Browsing with
them no hear wetin oga yomi talk? if you guys wont bring a loan unit, then ,perhaps you guys shouldnt show up here again
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December 7th, 2010 at 10:22 am Browsing with
jujukemist, this statement of yours is uncalled for and waaay out of line.
MobilityNigeria.com is open to all stakeholders in the Nigerian mobile space to participate. There is no requirement that device manufacturers must send us loan units for review in order to participate here. Manufacturers reserve the sole right to determine who to send what, when to send – and even whether to send at all or not.
Of course, providing loan units for reviews is a good public relations and marketing strategy, but that’s a different thing entirely.
Please do the right thing and tender an apology.
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December 7th, 2010 at 11:04 am Browsing with
Well said Yomi. A manufacturer who loans his device for Review is showing good PR and a possibly a good gesture with probable free advertising.
It should be up to the manufacturer to determine it’s
Marketing strategy. Should never be out of compulsion.
Jujukemist needs to apologize. Civility is a virtue at all times.
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December 7th, 2010 at 12:33 pm Browsing with
I tender an unreserved apology!
However note that,the power of mobilitynigeria.com is very latent,no wonder, big names and new entrants are patronizing her.It would not be fair to exploit her and her powerful children. I rest my case.
again do accept my apology
shukran!
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December 7th, 2010 at 12:43 pm Browsing with
jujukemist,
Thanks for your reconciliatory response. As always, no beef. All’s good.
And thanks for your great estimate of what we do here. Yes; we do understand the power of MobilityNigeria as Nigeria’s number one mobile community and portal. We are also sure that both the big names and new entrants understand our vantage position too and are smart enough to step up to the plate.
Thanks for being a part of this community too. Without you and the other regulars, we are nothing.
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December 19th, 2010 at 3:47 pm Browsing with
Hello Mobility Nigerian readers.
This just came to our notice. We have arrangement with Yomi and Mobility Nigeria to review Ovim Tablet in Jan 10th shortly before it hits stores. Also, notice that we have arrangements with Mobility Nigeria to distribute this device as well as work on the App Workshop we are planning in Owerri.
http://www.mobilitynigeria.com/2010/12/16/ovim-tablet-now-available-in-the-phone-store-distributors-wanted/
http://fasmicro.com/MASTERs2011.aspx
Apologies that we did not monitor the webspace quick enough. But we already have arrangement with Yomi and we thank him for his support.
Apologies to jujukemist for our slow response. Please next time email us at either fasmicro or microscale website.
To Mobility Nigeria and Yomi, they have shown what it means to support a local company. Most bloggers promote all the big MNCs and never spend time on the small local firm. But Yomi is changing the game and helping a lot. To that, we thank him. We hope to get Apps for his nice website on our tablet.
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December 19th, 2010 at 4:26 pm Browsing with
That’s correct. We recently explored the possibilities of getting Ovim for review, and Fasmicro/Microscale are sending us a loan unit as stated above. So keep your eyes on Mobility Nigeria for our first ever tablet review!
As for our support for Ovim, a homegrown device, this is Mobility NIGERIA, and it is our vision to encourage development of mobile technology in Nigeria.
I’d like to use this opportunity to encourage other local innovators to step up and show their stuff. Unfortunately, many times too, local companies ignore us, prefering to deal with the big boys. I remember how ‘Dayo and I were brushed off back then by a local player. We took it in good stride and went our way. We knew where we were headed and our principle was anyone who will not deal with us on our merit was not worth worrying our head about.
Again, all local players – including those who brushed us off in our early days – are welcome. No hard feelings.
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December 19th, 2010 at 4:40 pm Browsing with
Nice, I am impressed by these fasmicro people. They show some human face.
I am anxiously awaiting 10th January for the review.
Not a fan of tablets but I might just pick one up after the review on mobilitynigeria.
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December 19th, 2010 at 5:13 pm Browsing with
@Fasmicro Team
Welldone, great job.
@Yomi
Cant wait for the review, and hope the Tablet app is on track.
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December 19th, 2010 at 7:01 pm Browsing with
nine stars for fasmicro.
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December 19th, 2010 at 7:03 pm Browsing with
Thank you everyone in this community. It has been a great support. Only Nigerians can build Nigeria and we are so excited for the support from the West, East and North. A professor from University of Ibadan called us today and asked one simple statement: “I like mobile devices, but I want UI students to be making them, not just using them, how can you come to UI and teach these Android and microelectronics?”. We told him: “Thank you Prof, we are happy that we are getting to the point of creating and not just using. We are coming early next year on your invitation and support”.
That is the message and as Yomi said, if we ignore our own, we will never overcome the foreign dependence. So support Mobility Nigeria, support Fasmicro.com, support Microscale Embedded, and all those small Nigerian companies.
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February 3rd, 2011 at 1:56 pm Browsing with
Hi Yomi and Fasmicro,
I think I can give a shot at developing an app for this blog. What features of the blog would you like to be included in the App. Regards
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