Masabi helps Playtech churn out games

PROOF THAT you can build intelligent apps that will run on a wide range of handsets not just smartphones comes from Brit upstart - Masabi. The company has just sold its 'engine' technology to games giant, Playtech.

What Masabi allows Playtech to do is roll out a range of games including Black Jack, Poker and Roulette onto a wide range of handset types - not just those running Symbian or Windows Mobile 5.0. The engine encompasses low end handsets which can run basic Java apps, too.

Essentially Masabi has given Playtech all the rights to its technology for creating any mobile games or mobile gambling apps. Playtech, in turn, sells the resulting games to its impressive list of online gambling and casino customers.

According to Masabi CTO, Tom Godber, his company's 'build engine' means that the client can create a mobile app - such as a game - and then press a button. Out of the other end comes versions of the app that can run on at least 50 different types of mobile phone. Including low end models, naturally.

A crucial part of Masabi's technology is that it incorporates high level security so that it can be used for secure financial transactions.

In Playtech's case, this means taking bets and paying out winnings. But the technology has applications in plenty of other market niches.

Godber suggested, for example, that charities might be interested in the technology since it allows a 'Donate' button to be added to a wide range of mobile apps.

Avid INQ readers will remember Masabi from its mobile viral offering Pick the Prez. Collective amnesia prevents us from naming its first ever mobile app. µ

See Also
Pick the Prez

L'INQ
Masabi