Nokia Holds Global Developer Contest

Forum Nokia (News - Alert) is announcing, “Calling All Innovators,” a global contest for developers to create mobile applications that will help to better society.

 

The contest challenges developers to think big about the opportunity to impact the quality of human life with mobile applications. Nokia will award up to $150,000 in cash and prizes, in addition to helping the winners distribute their mobile applications.

 

“For over 15 years, I've been focused on sparking the curiosity of up-and-coming inventors, especially kids, by showing them that science, technology and problem solving is rewarding, and important,” said Dean Kamen, a global pioneer. “Now that mobile devices are becoming as powerful as personal computers and more ubiquitous, challenging mobile developers and young inventors to develop the right applications can take the device simply known as a cellular phone and transform it into a catalyst to help society in many different ways.”

 

Nokia and Kamen, known for inventing the Segway PT and actively engaging in global social programs, believe that technology can be a key driver of significant social and environmental change, particularly in emerging economies, where conflicts over scarce resources often impede the potential for human development.

 

They challenge developers participating in “Calling All Innovators” to think about the possibilities, such as what if a mobile device could test the potability of water, or enable people in remote villages to access scarce resources such as electricity or water.

 

“With Nokia’s belief in social responsibility, we support Dean Kamen’s relentless pursuit to help the world through the use of technology, “ said Tom Libretto, vice president, Forum Nokia. “Calling All Innovators is not just about making mobile applications that could help society; it’s about developing mobile applications that will help society. Imagine if an application could help relief workers reallocate resources in real time for disaster-torn areas – how much could that help both those in need as well as the relief workers in the area?”

 

The contest challenges developers to create applications that will enhance the use of mobile devices in real world sceneries, in one of three categories: ECO-Challenge – an application that will minimize mobility’s global environment impact and develop ways to offer mobile solutions that help consumers make sustainable choices, such as reducing their energy consumption; Emerging Markets – an application that impacts the daily lives of millions in developing nations and could include solutions for educations, health data access, infotainment, rural agriculture, or improves lives in emerging markets; and Technology Showcase – an application to showcase compelling, experience driven applications, using any technology that runs on Series 40 or S60 devices, such as Flash Lite, Java, Python or open source.

 

First-place winners in each category will receive $25,000, a trip to Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) 2009 in Barcelona and distribution of their applications for free through a variety of Nokia channels. Second-place winners in each category will receive $10,000 and third-place winners will receive $5,000.

 

The contest opens on Sept. 16 and all entries are due by Dec. 15. Finalists will be selected and notified in January 2009. More information about Forum Nokia’s Calling All Innovators, including how to submit an application and complete contest rules and requirements, can be found online at http://www.callingallinnovators.com.