where technology meets anthropology, conservation and development

VeSeL member Daniel Orwa of University of Nairobi attended the Java One conference in San Francisco, and presented the following technical paper on developing JME applications for Africa:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CPw9IjlRiI

The presentation alongside a focuses on developing Java applications for emerging markets, especially Africa. A Radio Midlet is part of the presentation. It offers an opportunity for listeners to have an interactive radio application that makes it easy for them to participate in radio programmes by for excample
voting or sending greetings, etc.

It is believed that this Midlet will enhance the capability of radio stations to have user participation and generate income to sustain themselves.

The Midlet works on fallback, it tries first GPRS, failing of which it tries SMS and if that fails it tries out voice. So, since many people do not have GPRS in Kambu, it will just use
SMS. It was tested, and the menu localized to Swahili.