Abu Dhabi: Fans of Apple products such as the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad in addition to users of other smart phones available in the market will now be able to create applications or Apps that are relevant to the region with the launch of AppsArabia.

Funded by twofour54 ibtikar, a division of twofour54, the Abu Dhabi-based content creation community, AppsArabia will provide users with an opportunity to create content completely in Arabic.

"What our research has shown is that in 2009, over half a million iPhone units were sold in the region….but in terms of app creation or development in the Middle East, there isn't much being done in terms of individuals within the region for the region. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only bring apps to the region but also to create high-quality, sustainable ones that can be used by smart-phones from across the board," David Ashton, general manager, AppsArabia, said.

Because there isn't a wide avenue for such programmes to be developed in the region, twofour54 aims to have AppsArabia as an avenue that can be accessed by not only individuals but also various corporations around the Middle East as well.

"This is a great opportunity to not only help encourage creativity in the region but also provide individuals with a chance to make money through the applications they create. Also, this will help users here not only become a part of this field but in addition, it will help to make Abu Dhabi the place to be in terms of creative content creation," Tony Orsten, CEO of twofour54, said. "We hope to make AppsArabia as accessible as possible for everyone… among the people we want to attract are entrepreneurs and designers as well as encourage regional brands to create Apps for their products as a marketing technique to generate increased awareness and interest in them," he added.

The fund and website are not aimed solely at those who are adept in software creation but rather are open for all who would like to see their ideas come to life through bringing together members of the public, entrepreneurs, software developers and designers.

Foundation

"While there is a growth in terms of penetration in the market by smart-phones, at the same time Apple is most successful in terms of successfully marketing Apps. We hope to capitalise on that by helping to provide a foundation for people to create their apps, even if they don't have any experience designing software," Paul Venn, head of communications, twofour54, said.

AppsArabia is a newly established hub and investment fund, which promotes and supports mobile app development throughout the Middle East and North Africa using the Software Development Kits (SDKs) of all the major mobile and online platforms, eg Android (Google), Apple, Blackberry, Facebook, OpenSocial and Ovi (Nokia).

Online platforms

AppsArabia is a newly-established hub and investment fund, which promotes and supports mobile app development throughout the Middle East and North Africa using the Software Development Kits (SDKs) of all the major mobile and online platforms, e.g. Android (Google), Apple, BlackBerry, Facebook, OpenSocial and Ovi (Nokia).