Google offering cash prizes to code writers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 12, 2007 -- Google, hoping to gin up excitement among developers for its mobile-phone operating system, is offering $10 million in prizes to code writers to create applications for the new platform, known as Android.

Cash prizes will range from $25,000 to $275,000, the Mountain View company said today in a press release.

Google intends to give away the operating system, and it has put together a broad alliance of industry heavyweights to help with the effort. Last week, Google announced the Open Handset Alliance, a group of mobile and technology companies.

"We've built some interesting applications for Android, but the best applications are not here yet and that's because they're going to be written by developers," Google co-founder Sergey Brin said in a statement. "We'd like to reward these developers and recognize them as much as possible."

Of course, great applications tied to its Android program will greatly reward Google by making the operating system more vital to users.

Submissions will be accepted from Jan. 2 through March 3. The 50 most promising entries will each receive $25,000 awards. The 50 winners will then be eligible for more money by applying by May 1 for 10 awards worth $275,000 each and another 10 worth $100,000 each.

A panel of technology and mobile experts selected from the Open Handset Alliance member organizations and the industry in general will judge all entries.

Author: John Boudreau
Source: http://www.siliconvalley.com/

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