GoMobile 2012: Where Apps Took Centre Stage

Malaysian mobile developers showcased their apps and services to thousands of visitors.

The fourth edition of GoMobile, Malaysia’s premier mobile lifestyle show that consists of a conference, awards night and expo was held from 10-13 May 2012. Kashminder Singh, co-organiser of the event said that this year the focus was on app developers and on that score, all three events did well.

GoMobile Conference
The GoMobile Conference at Royale Chulan which was sponsored by U Mobile was a resounding success. More than 200 delegates benefitted from listening to the strong line-up of leading mobile speakers from many countries. Jari Tammisto, Global Head of Mobile Monday, led the powerful contingent of international speakers who shared insights of latest mobile trends from around the world.(L to R) Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi, PEMANDU’s Director of Communications Content & Infrastructure, Business Services NKEA, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, MDeC CEO and Dato’ Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, Chairman of MCMC launching GoMobile AppCity

Not to be outdone, top local mobile industry speakers added more lustre to the conference. Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of MDeC and U Mobile Chief Technology Officer, Too Tian Jen and Toh Swee Hoe, Special Functions Officer at MCMC delivered keynotes, alongside speakers from leading mobile organisations in Malaysia.

GoMobile Awards Night
The Malaysian mobile industry came together at the GoMobile Awards Night where the best mobile products and services in Malaysia were recognised. Maxis and HTC took top honours at Malaysia’s premier mobile awards.
Lam Swee Kim, Group General Manager, New Media & Integrated Marketing of Media Prima, receiving inOvation Malaysia award from Dato Joseph Salang for the Tonton mobile portal.

The event was graced by the presence of Dato’ Joseph Salang, the Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture. Also present were Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of MDeC, Dato’ Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, MCMC Chairman and numerous senior officers and executives from the mobile industry and government agencies.

Maxis was named Operator of the Year at the GoMobile Operators Awards. The company also took home the Best Content and Services Award as well as the Best Mobile Broadband Award. The Mobile World Star Awards saw the HTC One X winning the Device of the Year Award. Another premier Award handed out that evening was the APAC Mobile Learning Initiatives Recognitions with recipients from Malaysia, Thailand, India and USA.T Kugan, Maxis VP receiving Best Operator Award from Dato’ Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, Chairman of MCMC

The event’s finale was reserved for app awards. Three promising ICON2 apps developers were called up first before the final awards of the night saw ten emerging and established mobile app companies honoured with inOvation Malaysia awards that were presented jointly by GoMobile and Maxis. Among the winners were the Tonton mobile portal, m2u mobile banking app and mobile development companies, Ahead Mobile and Studio 212.

GoMobile Expo

The CEO of Multimedia Development Corporation, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali and Dato’ Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, Chairman of MCMC, opened the expo accompanied by T. Kugan, Vice President Maxis and senior representatives from the Ministries and Strategic Partners of GoMobile.

The GoMobile Expo, for the first time, saw half the expo setting taken up by AppCity, a zone dedicated to mobile apps. AppCity was powered by the MSC ICON2 developer programme and supported by MCMC and Maxis.

AppCity was the largest ever platform for local mobile developers to showcase their apps to Malaysians. More than a hundred locally developed mobile applications were showcased at GoMobile 2012. The developers were especially pleased to be able to introduce their apps to the Malaysian public. Tai Aik Keong, a mobile developer said on a Facebook post, “"Thanks everyone for making GoMobile 2012 a success! I have met a lot of good friends, entrepreneurs, developers and marketing experts. Masatu has received great response and feedback. Looking forward for GoMobile 2013."

The organisers were also delighted to welcome some international developers to showcase at AppCity, with representation from Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Pakistan and India.
Many other companies and organisations came together to put on an exciting event. Visitors could grab bargains at one of the many exciting booths selling mobile gear, check out local mobile apps, learn about the world of app development at the AppCity workshops or just have fun at the many experiential exhibits and activities.

GoMobile 2012 received wide recognition and support from the government and private sectors. The Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) provided vital support as Strategic Partners, alongside Maxis.
Kashminder Singh said that the organisers would continue their efforts to grow GoMobile into an international show that focussed on mobile apps and services. “GoMobile is an event the Malaysian mobile industry can truly call its own,” said Kashminder Singh, adding, “We look forward to putting up an even more spectacular show next year. Our vision is to make GoMobile the hub of this region’s mobile apps industry.”