Android applications, a growing sector - Channa Munasinghe

by Nilma DOLE

Etisalat hosted its Android Forum for the second time recently. Google expert Misha Seltzer helped developers, students and IT entrepreneurs.

Etisalat's Head of Value Added Services Channa Munasinghe said, "We have a special steering committee for developing Android applications because we see this as a growing sector for reaping profits and making it easier and faster to communicate".

"He said that there are differences between feature phones and the 'smartphone' where a phone with features costs a lot and have limited applications but with Android smartphones, they are economically-priced and are efficient and user-friendly.

Even though Android is new in the Sri Lankan market, there is a growing trend to use these phones among young entrepreneurs and IT developers. "To get people to use an Android phone, real-time speed connectivity and content is important," he said.

The only way to spread the message is developing the developers and creating awareness to get everyone on the platform. "Customers also need to be educated on using the latest handsets and how a smartphone can help them," he said.

Etisalat already has a team working on Android applications which is giving rise to a new generation of Android developers.

Misha Seltzer said, "People use desktops during work hours, more mobile and tablet when they are off-duty."

According to Seltzer, it all started with Windows when they gave their software under a licence but Operating Systems such as Linux has been mostly open-source, where the use of their software is free.

Chief Technology Officer of Huawei, Mike MacDonald said, "US 4G isn't 4G for reals. Real 4G is minimum of one gigabit." Huawei estimates 1.77 million internet users in Sri Lanka, 1.12 on social networks.

The audience raised questions on security and safety of Android applications and were told that Android is one of the safest Operating Systems.