Introducing OneApp – Fun and Function

Of all of the work we do on the Unlimited Potential team, our efforts in the mobile space probably excite me the most. Why? Well, the last decade has seen mobile phone adoption skyrocket – over 50% of the world’s population owns a mobile device – and it is exhilarating to think that the mobile solutions we’re working on have the potential to make a difference in the lives of a massive number of people.

Our focus on emerging markets leads us to concentrate on the standard feature mobile phone. These models don’t have all the whiz-bang of a smartphone, yet the people that use them still want applications and services that address their every-day needs – things like mobile payments or connecting on social networking sites.

Today we are thrilled to announce a product that will help address this need. Microsoft has developed Microsoft OneApp, a new software application designed to help bring mobile apps and services to the many people who currently own feature mobile phones.

We’re particularly excited about the opportunities OneApp provides to our partners. In the coming weeks Blue Label Telecoms in South Africa will be the first to launch their consumer mobile service using Microsoft OneApp. OneApp will be a part of the release of their service called ‘mibli, powered by Microsoft OneApp’ which provides customers with over a dozen new mobile apps, including a Mobile Wallet. These customers will be able to download and install mibli for free. They have plans to offer more locally developed apps which would be available over the next year.

Combined with feature phones, we know that this technology has the potential to provide communities with better apps and services for their every-day needs – from healthcare and education to just accessing useful information.

The video below gives a brief overview of OneApp, and if you are interested in learning more take a look at the OneApp website!

Tim McDonough – Senior Director, Unlimited Potential Group