Apportunity knocks for new iPad products

Jan 29 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal

CREATIVE industry businesses in the North East have received a £40,000 boost from regional screen agency Northern Film & Media to help them be among the first to take advantage of opportunities created by the launch of Apple’s iPad.

Northern Film and Media has launched a dedicated Apple iPad Fund to help film, technology, gaming and digital companies come up with iPad application ideas.

The much-anticipated new Apple iPad launched on Wednesday night to a blaze of publicity and it is believed the device will come out in the UK on March 26, with the 3G version following on April 27.

NFM chief executive Tom Harvey said: “We want the North East to establish itself as a front-runner place in the rapidly evolving global content market.

“We will do whatever it takes to ensure that North East companies have every opportunity to get their products developed, made, distributed and bought on whatever new platforms come along.

“This region is a hothouse of creative talent and this pot of money will help our companies get to the front of the queue and steal a march on their competitors throughout the UK and further afield.”

NFM say the new fund can help iPad ideas from sketches to finished product. The apps put forward must have potential to generate revenue and be developed by teams where at least 70% of the team’s talent have their base in, and 50% of the budget is spent in, the North East.

Ideas should use the new features and potential that the iPad and new iPhone 3.2 SDK offer, not replicate the functionality of apps already designed for iPad, and be capable of being launched this summer.

There should also be an investment of money and/or accountable time from a private investor. Northern Film and Media will provide funding from £1,000 to £10,000. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, February 24.