The release was announced late last month.

With the SDKs, developers can have access to APIs that enable them to build apps that integrate features like location-based service, multimedia, VoIP, and video. The release of these SDKs would close some of the gap between Blackberry and the iOS and Android platforms.

This move comes amidst the Blackberry’s decline in market share around the world, and app developers complaints about the difficulty of programming for the platform.

The Maps and Mobile Unconference will be happening on 21 May 2008 in NUS Extension, Park Mall (Opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT station) from 6.30 to 10 pm. The event is organized by Barcamp, Singapore PHP User Group, Entrepreneur27 (Garag3), and it is the first developer community event sponsored by Google Singapore. In this event, our focus will be on how start-ups and big companies focus on how to create value with the use of Maps API (from Google) and also looking at applications which are delivering interesting mobile services to the customers. If you are interested to turn up, either go to the Barcamp wiki or facebook event to RSVP your name and designation. Here are more details for the event.

• Date/Time: 21 May 2008 (Wednesday), 6.30 pm – Registration starts
• Venue: NUS Extension, Park Mall, Opposite Dhoby Ghaut
• Theme: To bring in professionals and enthusiasts who are working on map applications in the Internet and mobile applications. A time of sharing among local hacker communities, developers, industry players and Google engineers.
• Organizers: Barcamp Singapore, Singapore PHP User Group and Entrepreneur27 (Garag3)

Here is an outline for the program:

• 6.30 – 7.30 pm Registration & Networking
• 7.30 – 8.10 pm Introduction and followed by 2 keynotes
  1. Keynote 1: Overview of Google Maps API – Derek Callow (Head of Marketing) and Andrew McGlinchey (Geo Product Manager for SE Asia) from Google Singapore)
  2. Keynote 2: Secured Mobility – Gerard Lim, Chief Technology Officer, Bak2u
• 8.10 – 10 pm Breakout sessions (Maximum 4 start-ups/projects demo)
  1. Breakout Session 1: Maps – in the main room chaired by Jon Petersen (SinGeo) and we have 10 minutes demos by several companies utilizing Google Maps API – SinGeo, Shoplette, Lilihood and Homespace and finally, Nokia Map APIs by Gary Chan (Business Development Manager, Nokia).
  2. Breakout Session 2: Mobile Applications with 10 minutes demos by several companies in Mobile – Cinepura – iPhone app, TenCube, Widgeous and Mobile Sorcery
• 10 pm – Supper Time!

Registration is closed for demos. But do bring your demo along and talk to the developers around the unconference.

Food and Drinks will be provided. We are planning to cater for 100-120. If there are more people turning up, we will step it up. :)

Sponsor: Google Singapore
 

Organizers:

Supported by:

Related Links:
[1] E27, Barcamp Singapore II: Maps and Mobile!
[2] Barcamp Singapore, Event Wiki