App a snap for students

Photo / Thinkstock

A group of University of Waikato students has developed a phone-based photo printing app that will be used by Walgreens, one of the biggest pharmacy chains in the United States.

The four students - Mark Feaver, Jeremy Roundill, Yoni Villamor and Simon Campbell - took on the job of developing the app for a software engineering project, part of a third-year paper.

The Android app, called Printicular, allows users to send their phone, tablet or Facebook photos to be printed at a Walgreens store.

New Zealand's MEA Mobile, which has developed a range of apps for the mobile photography market, provided technical guidance and market support to the students.

MEA Mobile director Rod Macfarlane said the app was free but the company would collect a small commission on each transaction made through the app.

"We are really keen to encourage more young people to learn the skills and gain the knowledge we need in this business," Macfarlane said.

Course lecturer David Streader said the project gave students an opportunity to learn how to work as a team and plan and deliver a project within budget, on time.

"It's a win-win for clients and students alike," Streader said.

Roundill, one of the students, said it had been a great way to get some real-world experience while still at university.