Posted by Merrin
The big event has come and gone! Last night, at the IAC building in New York, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the NYC BigApps winners. $20,000 will be shared among the 13 prize-winners as follows:
Best Overall Application
Grand Prize ($5,000): WayFinder NYC (provides nearest and best directions to NYC subway and NJ PATH stations)
Second Prize ($2,500): Taxihack (allows users to post live comments about NYC taxis and drivers)
Third Prize ($1,000): Big Apple Ed (provides detailed information about NYC schools)
Honorable Mentions ($500 each):
Actuatr (simplifies opening up data to developers)
NYC Way: 30+ NYC iPhone Apps in One (bundles various useful, location-aware resources)
PushpinWeb (provides platform for public data to thrive)
Trees Near You (helps you learn about trees on NYC sidewalks)
UpNext 3D NYC (provides an interactive 3D map)
Investor’s Choice Award – Grand Prize ($2,500): NYC Way: 30+ NYC iPhone Apps in One
Data Visualization Award – Grand Prize ($2,500): WayFinder NYC
City Talent Award: New York City Parks and Recreation Online (lets you discover parks and recreational opportunities)
Popular Choice Award
Grand Prize ($2,500): NYC Way: 30+ iPhone Apps in One
Second Prize ($1,500): Bookzee (provides a location-based library book search)
To read about these apps and to find links to their websites and video demonstrations, you can visit the Application Gallery. The New York Times coverage of the event notes that San Francisco and Washington are now also trying to “tap into local talent and encourage city specific app development.” Some NY1 video coverage can be viewedhere.
Congratulations to all of the winners, who will be invited to dinner with Mayor Bloomberg. Even so, the real winners are NYC residents and visitors who may benefit from these terrific innovations.
Feb 5