The company said the Android Developer Challenge was designed to support the developer community and to spark innovation on the platform. Cash prizes ranging from US$25,000 to $275,000 will be awarded to developers whose applications are picked by a panel of judges.
“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,” said Google co-founder and technology president Sergey Brin.
“We'd like to reward these developers and recognise them as much as possible.”
Google director of mobile platforms Andy Rubin said the company was challenging developers “to stretch their imaginations and skills” to leverage the full capabilities of this new platform and to create something amazing.
Google announced Android a week ago through the Open Handset Alliance, a group of more than 30 technology and mobile companies backing the Android open source platform.
The OHA includes Google, China Mobile, LG Electronics, Intel, eBay, Motorola, NTT DoCoMo, and Qualcom.
Last week, the Alliance released an early look at the Android SDK through a developer’s blog.
The US$10 million total in the Android Developer Challenge will be distributed equally between the Android Developer Challenge I and II. Submissions for Challenge I will be accepted from the beginning of January to March 3, 2008, and the 50 most promising entries will be recognised by end of March, with each receiving US$25,000 awards to fund further development.
These 50 entries will be eligible for more funding with a further ten awards worth $275,000 each, and another ten worth $100,000 each.
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