1. San Diego Apps Challenge opens: $50,000 in prizes

    Announcing the AT&T San Diego Apps Challenge: Mayor Jerry Sanders and the City of San Diego are challenging software developers to create apps that use city and partner data to enhance services and quality of life for San Diegans.

    Developers of all levels and backgrounds are welcome to submit apps. If you’re not ready to build an app but have a great idea for one, submit it to the companion ideas challenge.

    Budding entrepreneurs take note: this competition could be that something special you’re looking for. City app challenges come with a built-in city-sized user base!

    Submission period: January 12 to April 11, 2012

    What: Create an app that runs on the web, desktop computers, tablets, or smartphones. Or share an idea for an app.

    Data: The City of San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Metropolitan Transit System, SanGIS, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography

    Prizes: $50,000 in cash (13 prizes in 8 categories)

    Enter the challenge: SDAppschallenge.com

    Follow @SDAPPS on Twitter for competition updates, and use the hashtag #SDAPPS when you tweet.

    By Samantha

    - - -
    La Jolla Light: San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders Launches Apps Contest for City Services
    NBC San Diego: Mayor Sanders’ State of the City Address

    Jan 13 Comments

  2. NYC BigApps infographic

    From the nycedc:

    How do you like them apps? Check out our infographic to see how past NYC BigApps winners branched out to serve the different needs of New Yorkers.

    BigApps by the numbers:

    • 60 agencies, commissions and bids
    • 750 city datasets tapped
    • 140+ apps generated
    • Nearly 14,000 voters and 5,000 followers
    • Over $100,000 awarded in prizes

    The benefits of the BigApps challenge? Improved citizen and city life; publicity and a chance to meet Mayor Bloomberg; and access to leading tech entrepreneurs and investors.

    Submit your entry for this year’s challenge by January 25, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST.

    Jan 12 Comments

  3. NYC BigApps: Advice from past winner Abby Suckle

    Reblog from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC):

    Making progress on your BigApps submission? The deadline for NYC BigApps 3.0 is January 25th! For inspiration, we checked in with previous BigApps winners for words of wisdom for this year’s competitors. Read on for insights from Abby Suckle, President of CultureNOW, whose Museum Without Walls app took Honorable Mention last year. The app allows users to experience public art and architecture in Downtown Manhattan using location maps, self-guided tours, and podcasts.

    Abby displays CultureNOW’s map of Manhattan after accepting award from Mayor Bloomberg.

    What advice would you give new BigApps applicants?
    Have big goals. It’s not enough to just make another transit app. Instead teams need to focus on exploring NYC’s rich, diverse facets to create really interesting, useful apps.

    How has your app, company, or career evolved since winning BigApps?
    CultureNOW has worked closely with the City and other cultural/academic partners to greatly expand our app content. We’ve also become an increasingly national platform for cultural guide information in many cities throughout the US. Additionally, we’ve released an Android version of our app.

    What are your future goals for your app, company, or self?
    CultureNOW plans to continue to improve our app and grow our user base. As a non-profit with a strong mission, we are always looking for ideas on how to take our app to a new level.

    What are the most important aspects of winning BigApps for you?
    BigApps was a coming of age for CultureNOW and a great way to meet people. But, we’re still waiting on BMW to give us a car!

    Jan 11
    NYC BigApps,  inspiration,  winners,  advice,  tips,  apps,  
    Comments

  4. A full house at NYC BigApps 3.0 Developer Day

    Nearly 100 software developers, designers, and innovators joined us for NYC BigApps 3.0 Developer Day on Saturday, Jan. 7 at Pivotal Labs in Union Square.

    NYC BigApps 3.0 participants coded, met new teammates, chowed down, and had a blast. Some were just getting started on their BigApps submissions (due Jan. 25!), while others shot their submission videos. One developer showed up with 3 tablets for testing. Another told me “the next Mark Zuckerberg is in the room.” (And judging by past BigApps winners’ successes, he might be right about that!)

    Special thanks to Andrew Nicklin, Director of Enterprise Architecture at NYC DoITT, who gave a tour of NYC Open Data offerings and took questions and feedback throughout the day. And to API partners CartoDB, Etsy, The New York Times, and StreetEasy, who were on hand to answer questions.

    Dev Day coverage

    Follow @NYCBigApps and @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook. Use hashtag #NYCBigApps when you tweet.

    By Samantha

    Jan 11 Comments
  5. Excellent article from the New York Times about MTA App Quest: “In M.T.A. App Contest, Many Buttons Worth Pushing” Check out all the apps from the contest at MTAAppQuest.com, and vote for your favorites before 5 p.m. EST Wednesday, January 11! A version of this article appeared in print on January 8, 2012, on page MB3 of the New York edition of the New York Times with the headline: In M.T.A. Contest, Many Buttons Worth Pushing. Article by Joshua Brustein. Illustration by Christoph Hitz.

    Excellent article from the New York Times about MTA App Quest: “In M.T.A. App Contest, Many Buttons Worth Pushing”

    Check out all the apps from the contest at MTAAppQuest.com, and vote for your favorites before 5 p.m. EST Wednesday, January 11!

    A version of this article appeared in print on January 8, 2012, on page MB3 of the New York edition of the New York Times with the headline: In M.T.A. Contest, Many Buttons Worth Pushing. Article by Joshua Brustein. Illustration by Christoph Hitz.

    Jan 10 Comments
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