Monday, April 14, 2008
Last Day for Android Developer Challenge
byIf you’ve followed the mobile scene in the last 6 months, you probably heard about Android--the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. Android offers a free software development kit (SDK) for Java developers with key built-in features such as an integrated browser (Webkit), SQLite datastore, GPS, and a full stack of platform essentials missing from many mobile systems.
Android was conceived by technology leaders sharing a common vision of a greatly improved mobile experience. In order to promote innovation and charge developers around the world, Google and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) sponsored a “no string attached” developer challenge. The award, a mere $10,000,000, will be divided between 50 of the most promising entries; that’s $25,000 each with options to win another $100,000-$275,000.
Google’s plan here is to hyper-accelerate this new platform before the first devices arrive later this year. Yes, that’s right, we don’t even have a functioning piece of hardware! Clearly this strategy will pay off big if the mobile developer community grabs hold in large numbers. Handset manufacturers will see lucrative opportunities in being first to market…meaning more phone options for the consumer and for developers.
Google and the OHA will sponsor a 2nd phase of the contest following hardware releases and then the real fun begins. Will we see big brand apps from software companies like Salesforce.com who just today announced a tight CRM integration with Google Apps? Will we finally see a mobile platform that extends our enterprise software beyond reading email and syncing our desktop calendars?
We’re just starting on this new mobile vision (some might say restarting) but we already have a great deal of momentum. Later tonight, Phase 1 of the Android Developer Challenge ends with final submissions due at midnight. I can’t wait to see what they’ve created.
