FROM COMBATING SMARTPHONE ADDICTION TO DOING SOCIAL GOOD; STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES APP TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY AT IDA’S CODE FOR CHARITY

 

FROM COMBATING SMARTPHONE ADDICTION TO DOING SOCIAL GOOD; STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES APP TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY AT IDA’S CODE FOR CHARITY

 

Singapore Computer Society provides mentorship and S$30,000 development fund to launch Apple Tree app

 

Singapore, 9 September 2015- Libern Lin, a student entrepreneur from Republic Polytechnic, who received national fame less than a year ago for Apple Tree, an app idea that discourages excessive smartphone use, has taken the app to the next level, using funding provided by the Singapore Computer Society, by integrating a charity component to it. Through the app, which makes it debut today, Libern hopes to unlock S$10,000 worth of digital apples, sponsored by Singapore Pools, for SG Enable in support for Code for Charity at IDA’s Young Tech Fest 2015 by allowing the audience to grow and then convert digital apples to charity dollars

 

“Last year we had a great idea to discourage excessive smartphone usage by giving smartphone owners a reason to put their phones down by growing apples in exchange for rewards,” said Libern Lin, Creator of the app Someline Apple Tree. “After some thought, we felt that we could use this concept for the greater good. Hence, we decided to use the S$30,000 development fund provided by Singapore Computer Society to further enhance the app to create a charity component for IDA’s Code for Charity. Moving forward, we are also looking to partner with retailers to provide users with additional incentives to put their phones down, as any apples grown will earn the user discounts and freebies in the store.”

 

Someline Apple Tree, created by Libern Lin and his team, SomePro, from Republic Polytechnic, was the Tertiary Category winner of Singapore Computer Society’s Splash Awards 2014 Student Infocomm Competition. The competition theme was ‘Bringing Singaporeans Closer Together’, in celebration of SG50, leading to the team developing an app that prevents excessive smartphone use and encourages social interaction. Following the competition, in addition to the S$30,000 development fund, Singapore Computer Society has provided mentorship and tie-ups for the launch platform and charity element.

 

SG Enable is a day activity centre aimed at providing care and skills training to adults with disabilities.

 

The app can be downloaded from the iTunes store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/someline-appletree/id989624883?mt=8 and from the Google Play store athttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.someline.appletree&hl=en