NUI Galway graduate Vinny Coyne has developed the application Eirtext for Mac computers, which is currently No 1 in the Mac App store.
The app features in the top 10 applications for social networking on the app store for iPhone applications. Eirtext lets users avail of free and cheap web-based text messaging through devices such as Mac computers, iPhones and iPod touch.
Coyne, from Galway City, graduated with a BE in electronic and computer engineering in 2006. He has developed a number of applications for the iPhone as a freelance software developer.
Coyne has also developed Eirtext Pro, which allows free and cheap SMS messaging with support for more than 30 different providers. He has also created Simple List, a basic task manager app and Clicki Phone, an iPhone click-to-call solution for Outlook 2007 and the Mac Address Book.
The EirText app on iPhone has also won the Best Mobile Application award at the 2010 Irish Web Awards last year.
“Vinny Coyne is an outstanding example of the new Irish entrepreneur, and we are delighted with the success of our former computer engineering student,” said Prof Gerry Lyons, dean of engineering and informatics at NUI Galway.
“In the digital economy, success is not based upon natural resources, capital or factories, but on intelligence, knowledge and creativity. We hope Vinny will be a role model for other young entrepreneurs who are just embarking on degree courses in computing and engineering.”
Coyne is also in the process of setting up a company that will specialise in software development, focusing mainly on mobile platforms. The new Galway company called App Sandwich is looking for candidates to expand the team of software developers.
