MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Search engine giant Google Inc has taken a big step toward developing the Android mobile platform by announcing the Android Developer Challenge with prizes amounting to $10 million.
A panel of judges will select the applications developed by programmers that are eligible to win cash awards ranging from $25,000 to $275,000. Google had announced the launch of the Open Handset Alliance earlier this month and had promised to release a software development kit for Android, which was done yesterday.
Google is now looking for innovative applications for its platform and hence has announced the new Challenge. The Mountain View, Calif-based company said that the Android SDK was downloaded a record number of times within hours of its launch.
"We believe that the Android platform offers developers a unique opportunity to create truly innovative mobile software," said Andy Rubin, director of mobile platforms at Google. "We're challenging developers to stretch their imaginations and skills to leverage the full capabilities of this new platform and to create something amazing."
The Open Handset Alliance is a group of 30 technology companies, which have banded together to offer better consumer experience on mobile phones. Google leads these companies.
Google said that submissions for the Android Developer Challenge can be made from January 2 through March 3, 2008. Some 50 applications will be chosen by the end of March. Google said these 50 applications will receive $25,000 for further development and will be eligible for 10 awards of $275,000 each and another ten of $100,000 each.
For more information, visit http://code.google.com/android/adc.html
