28/01/10 World’s first town based iPhone App for Thame

THE world?s first dedicated town iPhone application is to be launched in Thame, Oxfordshire, in February.

Going live on the world?s most popular mobile smart phone application store, Apple, iThame is intended to provide useful information to visitors and residents whenever they want to access it, via their mobile phone.

iThame will be free to download and will offer information on the move that includes local amenities, heritage and historical walks, sports, accommodation, travel, news (RSS feeds), business, events in Thame, music and local information for young people.

Users will be able to provide feedback on services they want to see introduced in new versions, as well as receiving directions to points of interest in the town.

iThame has been put together by local businesses consultants, Andy McDonald and Simon Ralphs with the assistance of www.Thamenews.net editor, Sonja Francis. Thamenews.net has supplied a large part of the content including text, images and links to its own site and external sites of interest.

Andy told ThameNews.Net: “Our intention is to promote Thame as a vibrant place to visit and spend money.

“The App is funded by leading businesses in Thame, including Thame Service Station, Newitts Butchers, Racquets Fitness Centre, Brothers Hair Salon, the Thatch pub and restaurant and Kismet Jewellers, demonstrating how the town has embraced the new age of consumer demand for information on the move through an entrepreneurial spirit not seen anywhere else in the country.”

Commenting on iThame, the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, said: ?This initiative is the first of its kind and I am proud to represent a town that has pulled together such a unique initiative. I am sure it will be followed by most other towns in the UK, and possibly worldwide, that want to increase spend within their communities.”

iThame will soon be introduced on the new Google Android platform which is predicted to rival the success of the iPhone. It is expected that many other businesses and services will be introduced on the iThame application once they see the widely expected interest and usage of the application.

iThame has been built using the unique mobile content management system from MDB Consulting who have a proven track record in delivering iPhone applications live on the app store.

The app will be live in two weeks and will also be available on the new Google phone operating on the Android store, widening the usage rates.

PHOTO: Flash back to Thame’s food festival which drew visitors to the town from far and wide.