Blackberry Launches Developer Challenge

BlackBerry Partners Fund has launched the third annual BlackBerry Partners Fund Developer Challenge.

This year’s Challenge focuses on ‘Super Apps’, and invites developers to showcase applications that take advantage of the BlackBerry Application Platform’s unique capabilities. For the first time, the Challenge will recognise BlackBerry Smartphone applications on a regional basis across four regions – N. America, Latin America, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia Pacific.

Applications can be submitted to the Challenge now today and entries will be accepted until 6 September, 2010. Applications will be judged on quality, user experience and how effectively they have incorporated Super App characteristics. Last year’s winners included 7Digital and FierceTowers.
Judges will evaluate applications submitted in seven categories: Productivity; Fun & Games; Knowledge, Sharing; Navigate & Explore; Multi-media; and In the Know. Regional selections will be notified week commencing 27 September, 2010. Regional Semi-Finalists in each category will be named by 1 November, 2010. Regional Winners and Regional Finalists will be announced on 18 November, 2010.

Developers of applications selected at each Finalist level will receive prizes to support their development on the BlackBerry Platform. Up to four Regional Winners will each receive a prize pack valued at $85,000 (£56,000), including application promotion services, BlackBerry Smartphones, BlackBerry App World marketing support, and an Elite membership in the BlackBerry Alliance Program.

Up to 28 Regional Semi-Finalists will each receive prize packages worth over $16,000 and up to 12 Regional Finalists will each receive prize packages valued at almost $35,000. Up to 400 Regional Selections will receive a free BlackBerry Smartphone for submitting their application into the Challenge.

“The BlackBerry Partners Fund Developer Challenge has grown and evolved over the last three years and this year we will be rewarding the BlackBerry developer community at many levels to benefit more developers than ever before,” says Kevin Talbot, Co-managing Partner at BlackBerry Partners Fund. “BlackBerry Partners Fund is celebrating innovation that can only be achieved on the BlackBerry Application Platform, by creating apps that people cannot live without.”

You can apply to compete in the Challenge here. The Challenge is open to both newly-developed and existing applications.