Augmented Reality (AR) firm metaio says that number of registered developers for its mobile AR browser platform junaio has rapidly grown since the company opened up its API (Application Programming Interface) four weeks ago, and has now passed the 200 mark. The open API gives developers and content providers the opportunity to create their own channels, complete with AR applications. metaio says that the open API is easy to use and does require only basic knowledge in programming, (e.g. XML and server side programming, such as PHP) to create state-of-the-art AR applications.

“We are very pleased with the number of developers. The feedback we receive is that junaio is a great opportunity for developers to create state of the art applications without spending any money”, says metaio CTO, Peter Meier.

Metaio lists AR Mashups, multiplayer games or scavenger hunts, interactive, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, tours with animated 3D characters, edutainment and location-independent gaming as some of the potential applications for AR. The company is also offering a cash prize of $5,000 (£3,300) for the developer who creates the best channel. Anyone who registers as a developer and sets up a channel before 16 June, 2010 will be entered into the competition automatically. The five channels with the most subscribers will be shortlisted. An independent jury with AR- and IT-business experts will then select the winner. Among the jury members are Robert Scoble; ReadWriteWebs Chris Cameron; Mobile Consultants Christine Perey and Ken Blakeslee; Industrial AR expert, enthusiast and blogger Thomas Carpenter; and Prof. Dr. Geiger from Duesseldorf University of Applied Sciences Department of Media Mixed Reality and Visualization. Developers can register via the junaio website.

metaio is also running a Developers camp at the AR DevCamp in Berlin on 24 April. The junaio team will give an insight in what developers can do with the new junaio API in free and moderated coding sessions. In addition, ideas for new channels will be collected discussed. Theres more information about ARDev Camp, including venue and registration details, here.