Mr Rao Machiraju: We help people by precisely bringing the relevant information to them just when they need it based on the context and location.

reQall, the company behind the voice-enabled memory aid that integrates the mobile phone, e-mail, text messaging and instant messaging into a powerful organiser, reminder system and productivity assistant, is setting up its regional headquarters in Singapore. It has also taken the high-tech reminder system, popularised on the iPhone and Blackberry mobile platforms, into the Android space as well.

As a service, reQall lets users capture key action items and ideas through their mobile devices, either by voice or text, and integrate that information into their mobile phone, e-mail, and messaging applications, turning it into a powerful organiser and reminder system.

reQall-captured information is automatically processed and organised into the user’s schedules, and the application also stays aware of context changes, such as location and the time of day. Finally, it lets the user know via voice, e-mail, text, or instant messaging services, not only what needs to be done, but when and where as well.

“We help people by precisely bringing the relevant information to them just when they need it based on the context and location,” said Mr Rao Machiraju, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of reQall. “Therefore location is very important for reQall. reQall uses both text and voice as input mechanisms and this is pretty much industry standard for input on smart phone applications.”

While these functions have already been available on the iPhone and Blackberry platforms for a few years, they have earlier this year debuted on Android-based devices as well.

“Android is slated to be released by many carriers around the world,” said Mr Machiraju. “We think this is a significant opportunity for reQall and we are excited about the possibilities on this platform.”

Founded four years ago as a MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) spinoff, the company decided to set up its regional HQ in Singapore earlier this year.

“The ease with which one can do business, have easy access to various Asian countries, and to the regional offices of many international companies right here in Singapore are all pluses,” said Mr Machiraju. “Obviously, as a company you want to be in a place where you can do your business very effectively and infrastructure and people, all these things, will be a part of it.”

reQall lets users capture key action items and ideas through their mobile devices and integrate that information into their mobile phone, e-mail, and messaging applications.

Mr Machiraju likened it to Silicon Valley, which is very small and enclosed and thrives because of the universities, research institutions, dynamic infrastructure and people.

“That is the reason why we said this is where we want to build our R&D,” he said. “Because there are groups like A-Star, with the research capabilities, and the universities; it’s compact and easy for me to go to a coffee shop and sit down and chat with somebody and not miss reading an e-mail at the same time.”

Mr Machiraju also praised the Singapore government for its proactive efforts. “The support you get from the Singapore Government really stands out. For us, we worked with Infocomm Investments and they really interacted with us on a regular basis, to make sure we get referred to the recruiters that we needed, offering simple suggestions, and providing some hand-holding, if you will,” he said. From Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd, the investment arm of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, reQall also learnt about IDA’s iCentre grant, which provides developmental support for foreign start-ups looking to set up their engineering centres in Singapore. The company subsequently applied for, and received the grant to help it set up its regional HQ in Singapore.

Incorporated as reQall Singapore, the office will serve as the regional headquarters for Asia, and the company expects to have a six-person team by the end of the year.

“We see the next six months as time for us to fully settle into Singapore. The partnerships we strike with various companies and carriers in the region will be the driver for us to expand in 2011 and beyond.”