Android Developer Challenge launched by Google

With $10 million in awards

13 November 2007 9:09 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

"Cool apps that surprise and delight mobile users, built by developers ... will be a huge part of the Android vision."

So states Google on the newly launched Android SDK pages. To support the efforts of developers, Google has launched the Android Developer Challenge, which will provide $10 million in awards - no strings attached apparently - for great mobile apps built on the Android platform.

The award money will be distributed equally between two Android Developer Challenges, in the first stage the 50 most promising entries received by March 2008 will each receive a $25,000 award to fund further development.

Those selected will then be eligible for even greater recognition via ten $275,000 awards and ten $100,000 awards.

Google is asking for all types of applications, but say they are especially looking to reward "innovative, useful apps that make use of Android's capabilities to deliver a better mobile experience".

Suggested areas of focus (which give consumers a heads-up as to what we can all expect from the OS) include social networking, media sharing, productivity, location-based services, the noble aim of "humanitarian benefits" and gaming.