Nokia's Mobile Games Innovation Challenge

Nokia today launched the worldwide Mobile Games Innovation Challenge. the Mobile Games Innovation Challenge seeks the best in groundbreaking ideas and game concepts from the brightest and most creative minds in mobile gaming today. Sponsored by Nokia Publishing, the Mobile Games Innovation Challenge invites developers to submit mobile gaming concepts to help drive mobile gaming to the next level, relying on the advanced features and functionalities of N-Gage compatible devices, and Java- or Symbian-based Series 40 or S60 devices from Nokia. developers wishing to compete for the Mobile Games Innovation Challenge can submit their game concepts online at http://developer.n-gage.com/innovation

Deadline for submission of all applications is August 20, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. GMT.

Sony Ericsson has announced the winners of it inaugural Content Awards

Sony Ericsson has announced the winners of it inaugural Content Awards along with a special award for the best use of phone functionality. The winners of the 2007 Sony Ericsson Content Awards (source: SymbianOne.com):

Gaming - Mr Goodliving / "Playman Extreme Running"
"Playman Extreme Running looks great and plays really smoothly. It's addictive - I'll play this again and again."
Imaging - BitCycle / "PullFace Image Manipulator"
"Making people look funny is a sure-fire success. This is the kind of application that made me want to be a designer."
Productive Mobility - Opera / Opera Mini 4.0
"The best mobile browsing experience. Now I can go to any website in the world on my mobile phone."
Music& Audio - Grace Note / "Track ID"
"Being both useful and great fun, this is really good stuff. It's right there when you need it and it's easy, easy, easy."
Themes & Graphics - Metronize/Clavitones / The Geeks themes and graphics
"It's not just great animation - it's a great story!"

Sony Ericsson Special Recognition Award: Best use of phone functionality - Vringo
Vringo is a rich and deep application that makes extremely good use of the capabilities available in Sony Ericsson Mobile phones - from voice, video, camera and buddy lists. And with its community features, it adds a new dimension to the consumer experience.

You can find more information on the winners at the award site: http://developer.sonyericsson.com/contentawards

Have you visited the new Forum Nokia Developer Community

A reminder here to check out the new and improved Forum Nokia developer community website. Complete with tips, blog updates, a Wiki, and much more... excellent stuff! see http://community.forum.nokia.com/

Final countdown for Mobile Rules! competition submissions

The business plans stream of the Mobile Rules! competition closes in less than two weeks and entrants are encouraged to submit their business plans by visiting the competition site: www.mobilerules.org.

The Mobile Rules! competition was launched in the summer by Nokia, together with a number of high-profile sponsors. Designed for developers and entrepreneurs working in the mobile space, the competition is divided into two 'tracks'. The first is for entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups, academic institutions and individuals and aims to find the most innovative new business models, products and services for the mobile world. The closing date for entries is 16th November 2007.

The second stream, which closes on 25th January, is aimed at qualified developers working on mobile applications for Nokia platforms in four categories: 'multiplayer and connected games', 'multimedia', 'enterprise' and 'infotainment'.

The winners of both streams will be announced at a ceremony in San Jose on 21st March 2008.

S60 UI gets touch - think iPhone (video)

Thanks to Rafe over at AAS for grabbing this video showing the latest addition to the symbian S60 form factor - touch screen (listen to the phone ringing in the crowd.. nice!!) Great vid Rafe.. thanks!

Developer Tip - Maps In Apps 2007

The mobile space, in particular, the LBS marketplace, has always had some great developer opportunities in the form of contests. Typically, the contests offer up developers a chance to access free tools, SDKs, and data. Add to the the opportunity to get some great recognition, your app on a deck, and maybe even some cash... lots of cash! Tele Atlas is now promoting a cool opportunity for mobile (LBS) developers - enter Maps In Apps 2007

From Tele Atlas... Location information enhances all kinds of applications - Tele Atlas wants to see your apps This contest is for consumer and business applications that are not LBS focused, but include mapping or location as a functionality enhancement.

- Registration opens July 23rd and closes September 23rd, 2007
- Participation is open to all mobile applications developers using Tele Atlas data
- Up to 3 finalist applications will be showcased on websites and in the Tele Atlas booth at CTIA IT 2007, visitors and attendees will vote for their favorite application
- One grand prize: $25,000 cash, $50,000 in Tele Atlas map data.
Two runners up prizes: $10,000 cash and $20,000 in Tele Atlas map data.
Click here to read the official rules. or jump to http://www.teleatlas.com/LBSSeries/index.htm

Blog Tip: Nokia N95 and the Series60 SDK

Rob Dunfey, an Engineer at ESRI UK has taken on a pet project and tinkered with the S60 SDK to create a "hello World" application to run on his Nokia N95. Rob chronicles his experiment in this blog post.

This is a great read and a very useful document for any programmer or would-be programmer wanting to dabble with the S60 SDK. See Here

Thanks for taking this on Rob!