Calling all Innovators
From the competition page:
We’re challenging developers to create new applications and games for the new Nokia N8 and future Nokia devices for consumers in the U.S. and Canada. With $10 million in cash, devices, and marketing prizes up for grabs, now is the time for you to take advantage of Ovi Store’s global reach which gives you access to the world’s largest community of app-purchasing mobile consumers.
The competition will run across 17 categories (matching the application and games categories of the Ovi Store) and is open to developers in most countries. The application submission period runs from September 21st to January 28th. In order to enter, developers must submit their application or game, in English, to Ovi Store, through Ovi Publish, and ensure it is compatible with the Nokia N8 and is made available in the US or Canada.
Purnima Kochikar, VP Forum Nokia said:
"Developers have the tools, the support from AT&T and the marketing power of Nokia to get visibility for their apps. Additionally, developers can make their Qt-based app available in Ovi Store to Nokia customers globally reaching tens of millions of customers."
The prizes on offer have a total value of $10,0250,000. There are 500 devices in the prize pool ($400). 17 category winners will win $150,000 with 2nd place getting $50,000 and third place getting $25,000. Two Grand Prize winners (one for applications, one for games) pick up an additional $100,000, plus marketing from Nokia equivalent to $1,900,000. The two Grand Prize runners-up also receive $1,000,000 in marketing.
Developers should note that existing applications will not be able to be entered into the contest (with one exception being made for legacy applications that have been modified or re-written for the N8, which subsequently become new items in the Ovi Store). The applications should target the N8 (although with the consistent Symbian^3 platform from Nokia that means they’ll also work on the announced E7, C7 and C6-01), and can be developed using native Symbian, Qt, WRT, Java or Flash Lite.
If you’re ready to get started, then head over to www.callingallinnovators.com/10M; and those new to Symbian development might like to consider attending one of the free training days.
Symbian^3 devices in the US
The eagle eyes of Matt Miller, over at Nokia Experts, spotted the news of a 'new' Symbian^3 device coming to North America in the terms and conditions of the contest:
Nokia will release a new device (“New Device”) in the United States which is compatible with Apps developed for the N8, in early 2011 (“Release Date”).
Given that this Calling all Innovators contest is presented conjunction with AT&T, it would be a very good bet that the 'new' device will be ranged by AT&T. Getting picked up by the carriers (AT&T and T-Mobile) is an absolute must, if Symbian^3 devices are to enjoy any US sales success.
As Matt points out this could be reference to an AT&T decision to range the Nokia N8. However it could also be a variant version of one of the other Symbian^3 devices (C7, E7, C6-01), or something completely new (see The Nokia Blog for further speculation).
Nokia's existing US carriers deals are with T-Mobile, which is the smallest of the nationwide US networks (33 million customers, against AT&T's 90 million). Moreover the devices concerned (E73 Mode and Nokia 5230 Nuron), while competent, don't fit into the high-end touch segment, which dominates the US smartphone market. SIM-free purchase is an option in the US, but its not really competitive when compared to the operator subsidised handsets, especially since there are no SIM only contracts in the US.
As such, whatever the 'new' device is, a subsidised Symbian^3 handset on AT&T would be a big deal. It would give Nokia a serious shot at the US market, something it hasn't really had up to now. Clearly one device will not be enough, but the right device might turn the tide.