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http://smart.com.ph/about/newsroom/press-releases/2015/03/17/students-from-davao-dominate-sweep-open-competition

for the char
#SMARTSWEEP

Students from Davao dominate SWEEP Open Competition

by SMART Public Affairs | Mar 17, 2015

[17 March 2015] A mobile application that automatically sends an SOS text to emergency hotlines when you call out for help; another one that facilitates quick response from auto repair shops during road mishaps or when your vehicle bogs down; an interactive gaming app that sharpens your knowledge on local heritage and tourism spots, as well as Philippine history; an app that lets you stay in touch with friends without the need for Internet connection; and one that allows foodies not only to check the nearest restaurant or food joint but the actual feel and look of the place and the food.

A mobile application that automatically sends an SOS text to emergency hotlines when you call out for help; another one that facilitates quick response from auto repair shops during road mishaps or when your vehicle bogs down; an interactive gaming app that sharpens your knowledge on local heritage and tourism spots, as well as Philippine history; an app that lets you stay in touch with friends without the need for Internet connection; and one that allows foodies not only to check the nearest restaurant or food joint but the actual feel and look of the place and the food.

These are mobile apps designed by students from the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) that emerged winners of the first-ever Open Competition at the recent 11th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards organized by wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).

The new category was introduced to students from both partner-schools under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), and non-SWEEP schools.  Entries were accepted based on criteria set by the Smart Developer Network (SmartDevNet), the telco’s developer community program.

“We have expanded the SWEEP Awards to encourage students from schools all over the country to design mobile apps that address common problems. If these apps can be commercialized, they will add to the suite of services that Smart can offer to its subscribers,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart.

Jason Dy’s TextPlus, Zaneth’s The Adventure of Juan, Janda Magno’s Autofix, Louella Jane Catilosa’s SOS App, and Quincy Sacdalan’s Food Travel have bested other entries that competed for the SmartDevNet Award for the top five mobile and web applications utilizing location-based services and SMS technology.

“For the first salvo of the SWEEP Open Competition, we chose mobile apps that utilize SMS and location-based services because these are apps that have the most potential to be commercialized.  We will assist these students in transforming their ideas into viable services that we can offer to our subscribers,” said Mellissa Limcaoco, head of Digital Innovations and Value Added Services.

Apart from cash prizes, the five winners will get market runway support from SmartDevNet towards the commercialization of their apps. The students were given a year to pursue commercialization of their apps.  Once successfully commercialized, they will get additional cash prizes as well as a share of the revenues.

The students are all taking up Information Technology at USeP, which is a partner-school under SWEEP, the longest-running telco-academe linkage that seeks to enhance the quality of engineering and IT education in the Philippines.

TextPlus

TextPlus is a messaging app that can send messages without the need for Internet connectivity and GSM.  Using Bluetooth technology, this messaging app is limited to recipients that are located nearby.

“We originally wanted to create an offline social media application, but I wanted something that would be more useful than just socializing so I came up with an idea of a texting app.  The biggest challenge is our lack of skills on mobile peer-to-peer connection. Mobile file sharing was never taught in class so we had to learn everything by ourselves,” said Jason Christopher Uy.

The Adventure of Juan

This is a gamified and innovative way of searching for tourist spots and establishments in the Philippines.

“I want to promote Philippine tourism and culture in a fun and interactive way.  I believe this app has a strong potential for commercialization.  It will help boost the tourism sector and support industries.  Its interactive platform will encourage users to learn about Philippine history, culture, and facts,” said Zanneth Mae Dinopol.

Autofix

Vehicle owners will find this app useful for emergencies as it facilitates faster response from auto repair shops.

“Overheating vehicles especially with the onset of summer can create traffic jams.  This app will help vehicle owners contact repair shops for quick response.  This is a promising app for commercialization given the market need,” said Janda Samantha Magno.

SOS App

This app makes the mobile phone a lifeline during emergencies, or especially when a crime is about to be committed.  It allows the user to send a SMS for help to an emergency hotline and loved ones.  The SMS functionality is triggered by the user’s voice saying the key word (help or the equivalent in the vernacular) on a pre-set volume and decibel level.

“I am not a superhero or a policewoman, but I can help prevent crimes from happening and save lives through this app. People tend to shout when in distress, and this app will trigger a pre-set SMS to emergency hotlines.  The challenge was to come up with an app that requires minimal effort from the user,” said Louella Jane Catilosa.

Food Travel

By utilizing augmented reality, existing food establishments—menu, amenities offered, location—can be featured in one’s mobile phone.

“I am a food enthusiast.  I thought of an app that will help food enthusiasts like me to locate food establishments.  While there are other similar apps in the market, the use of Augmented Reality technology will set it apart from the rest,” said Quincy John S. Sacdalan.

Smart has been promoting the culture of innovation among schools to help make students industry-ready by the time they graduate in college. To know more about SWEEP, click on www.smartsweep.ph, or follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sweepschools).

SWEEP Open Competition winners. Five students from the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City won the five best mobile apps under the first-ever SWEEP Open Competition. Awarding the prizes are from Smart executives Chito Bustamante (leftmost), and Paul Pajo (2nd from right); and Earl Martin Valencia, president and co-founder of IdeaSpace Foundation, the incubator arm of the group of companies in the Philippines led by Manuel V. Pangilinan.

javelin