SMS GupShup Launches AppShup, a Platform for Developers to Create and Deploy SMS Applications Worldwide

India (March 3, 2010) SMS GupShup, one of Asia’s largest mobile social networks with 26 million users, announces today the launch of AppShup, one of the first app stores dedicated to the promotion and distribution of SMS applications. The open developer platform allows developers to develop sms-based applications and services quickly and easily.

AppShup aims to solve many of the current issues that developers face today. These issues include Interfacing with multiple mobile carriers, accessing application development resources and tools, dealing with the carrier approval process, integrating with the mobile networks and launching the application; this process can take significant investment in time and money.

“Text-messaging is by far the most popular communication platform in the world. AppShup unleashes the creativity of global developers and enables them to quickl y and inexpensively put their applications in front of billions of mobile subscribers worldwide,” said SMS GupShup CEO Beerud Sheth.

AppShup reduces the launch time from months to only days by pre-enabling carrier approval processes. By making SMS app deployment frictionless, the new platform will foster greater innovation and drive the creation of many more apps for various user segments – which delivers great benefits to users, carriers and developers.

AppShup - SMS Meets Apps
AppShup is simple. The system requires developers to have only a basic knowledge of any programming language, understanding of web applications and familiarity with JSON and XML. Developers can use the AppShup API Platform to create and connect their apps to other websites and blogs as well as modify their GupShup stream through the program.The GupShup Apps platform lets developers make small SMS applications and widgets which help users communicate to systems with SMS. Developers are encouraged to make simple, interactive applications which are easy to use, solve a business need, or are just fun to play.

Close to 100 SMS apps are already available including movie, astrology and dictionary applications. A list of apps can be found here http://api.smsgupshup.com/apps.

Currently, AppShup is integrated with the Indian carriers – enabling SMS services for Indian mobile subscribers. Discussions are ongoing with network operators in multiple countries to expand the program.

AppShup Awards
SMS GupShup is sponsoring a contest for the most innovative SMS app submitted to AppShup, with the winner receiving a $5,000 cash prize. Apps created for the contest have the potential to join the ranks of existing apps on the system like CricketExchange, BibleVese, TechWhiz, and more.

About SMS GupShup
SMS GupShup is the world’s largest social SMS service that allows users to communicate and connect with family, friends and fans using mobile handsets. SMS GupShup extends the capabilities of p2p sms technology to social messaging including 1-to-many, many-to-many and many-to-1 communication, thereby enabling social interactions on sms, the only medium that reaches 4 billion users worldwide. Launched in April 2007, it is used by 26 million users in over 2 million communities.
Brands and enterprises use the SMS GupShup platform for their mobile marketing needs including advertising and customer engagement. Carriers use the reply-all capability of SMS GupShup to increase ARPU and loyalty of their subscriber base. SMS GupShup also sells premium content and services to consumers.

Founded by seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and incubated at the IIT Bombay Business Incubator, the company is funded by Charles River Ventures and Helion Ventures. To know more details visit www.smsgupshup.com.

Contact Information

Angela Morris

Account Manager

VSC Consulting for SMS GupShup

Contact via E-mail