One too many! Can OneAPI get it right and move fast enough?

May was a busy month for us, as we worked on the Canadian Pilot of GSMA's OneAPI initiative hosting four hack-a-thons and briefing sessions.  We really like this initiative from the suits as it has the potential to change the paradigm of developers working with the operators from 'one too many' to 'one to many'.  It will save developers months of time coding (port to one operator API as opposed to many); but there is also just one contract to sign!  Six to 18 months is not an unusual time to wait for operators to make decisions and sign contracts, so this is huge.  In Canada it also gives developers access to 22 million subscribers, and many more when other countries get on board as the initiative rolls out.

OneAPI Hack-a-thoners in Vancouver at Wavefront

Probably the biggest competitive advantage the operators have and biggest interest from developers is the billing API, and the ability to Bill on Behalf of (BOBO).  The business imperative is how fast they (OneAPI team and operators) roll it out.  As mentioned in last's months newsletter - OneAPI will also get rolled into the WAC initiative, along with OMTP-BONDI (now managing WAC), and JIL. You can still sign up for the Canadian Pilot, check it out, get in on the ground floor, and provide your input. 

The themes at WIPJams continue to be around Cross Platform decisions, AppStore optimization, Native vs Web apps and Making Money/Business Models.  New popular topics are augmented reality and developing for new form factors.  Lots of decisions for developers, so we aim to connect them to the information they need to make the best business choices for their company.

How are our WIPJams working for you?  We first started jam'n because there were few great events for mobile developers.  This has changed, as others have jumped on board seeing the opportunity or filling the gap; as well most Mobile Developer Programs are hosting their own events.  I don't think the industry can sustain many more, as developers only have so much time and money to attend.  If you have suggestions on how to make WIPJams more effective for you, or have other locations where we should be- please let me know.

We host two WIPJam sessions in June.  WIPJam @ IT Profit/LinuxTag was earlier this week with great content and speakers.  Good thing WIP has expanded its team and can divide and conquer - so Thibaut and Carlo led the charge in Berlin!

Next week Teresa and I will be in Singapore to host our first WIPJam in Asia @ CommunicAsia sponsored by Mosync, and the WIPJam After Party sponsored by NAVTEQ (CommunicAsia doesn't have nearly the same amount of parties as MWC or CTIA).

Beached theme UnPanel coming to Uplinq in San Diego, July 1st  -see info below on Comp Hotel rooms!

And we have another new team member!  Join us in welcoming Harper Price-Brown, our new Community 'Dude' who will be supporting our community activities and resources.  Harper started June 1, freshly graduated from BCIT's Business Program, has downloaded more mobile apps than all of us put together, and has already proved to be a great support to the team!

With the start of summer approaching, we just had to put on a beached themed UnPanel for our WIPJam@ Qualcomm's Uplinq conference in San Diego (June 30/July1). I've seen the reg list - besides the content, the networking at Uplinq is going to be outstanding! We used our highly tuned negotiating skills to get some great deals for the WIP Community - read below for the all details on conference passes and comp hotel rooms! 

Thibaut wrap ups our activities prior to summer break with WIPJam@ Mobile Day & Night in Marseille, France.  Then it will be time for a litte down time!