The ChallengePost Blog

Lollapalooza wants developers to create cool festival apps!

samanthabtse — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 -0400

Lollapalooza, Chicago’s popular music festival, just launched HackLolla 2012, its second annual apps competition for software developers. Using the Lolla API, which includes data on the festival’s artists, events, stages, venues, and updates, developers are invited to create apps that help fans get the most from their Lollapalooza experience.

Last year, the grand prize went to Veokami (now Switchcam), whose application aggregated user-generated videos of Lollapalooza performances and then allowed fans to edit the videos into their ideal show. Switchcam recently closed $1.2 million in investments, and lauds HackLolla for giving its growing company exposure and a platform to launch their business. Co-founders Brett Welch and Chris Hartley, said HackLolla made them feel like VIPs:

Having access to Lolla’s data expanded the possibilities of what we could do — from easy geotagging through to setlist-based navigation. When you’re coding apps like this, you expect to come up against barriers when you’re looking for good computer-readable data sources. Lollapalooza practically rolled out a virtual red carpet for us and told us to make ourselves at home. And we did.

Simply put, much like the festival itself, HackLolla rocked. Other teams told us that participating in the challenge was “fun,” “great,” “a blast,” “enjoyable” and even “magnificent.”

This year, we expect no less magnificence and will be awarding two prizes for the apps that help music fans get the most out of the Lollapalooza experience before, during, and after the festival. One Grand Prize winner will receive 2 Sold Out VIP Passes to Lollapalooza, airfare and hotel accommodations ($4,000 value) as well as designation as The Official Fan App for Lollapalooza 2012. One Popular Choice Award winner, selected by public voting, will receive 2 Sold Out VIP passes to Lollapalooza ($2,100 value).

Additionally, both winners will be promoted on the official Lollapalooza website and to fans via the Official E-List, Facebook, Twitter and the festival’s jumbotron screens. Combined, that’s over 1 million in impressions! (And let’s face it, who doesn’t want their app on a jumbotron?)

The submission period is open now until June 25, 2012. Check out the official rules, get a Lollapalooza API key, and start coding today!

We invite you to join us on Facebook, follow @ChallengePost on Twitter, and use the hashtag #HackLolla when you tweet.

By Megan

ETS wants game developers, designers, and educators to create a math assessment game

samanthabtse — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:46:00 -0400

Video games and apps have enormous potential to fundamentally change the way people view standardized testing. The days are gone of children having to sit down with a paper and pencil to take a test.

- Gabrielle Cayton-Hodges, Associate Research Scientist at ETS

Educational Testing Service (ETS), the world’s largest nonprofit educational testing and measurement organization, just launched the ETS Assessment Games Challenge, a competition that invites emerging and experienced game developers, designers, and educators in the U.S. to develop a K–12 math assessment task in the form of a game.

More than 50 million assessment tests like the TOEFL, TOEIC, and GRE tests are developed, administered, and scored by ETS every year.

So what could a modern day math test look like? Tell us your ideas, access materials and Learning Progressions to help build your game, and register to enter at ETSGamesChallenge.com.

One grand prize winner will receive $7,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to showcase the winning project in a learning and games demo space at ETS in Princeton, N.J. Additionally, the winner will have the opportunity to discuss the ideas behind the entry with the Vice President of Research at ETS. Three runners-up will also receive all-expenses-paid tips to showcase the winning project in the demo space and meet with the VP of Research.

The submission period is open from now until August 18, 2012. Get started today!

Follow @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

By Samantha

Evernote Devcup opens: $100,000 competition for software developers & designers worldwide

samanthabtse — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:12:00 -0400

Evernote, the popular note-taking and productivity app, is launching Evernote Devcup, its second annual worldwide developer competition for software developers and designers.

Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote, announced that more than $100,000 in prizes will be awarded for the best apps that combine captivating functionality with beautiful, intuitive design to help Evernote users better capture and recall the important items in their lives. Six finalists will be flown to San Francisco as presenters at the Evernote Trunk Conference in late Summer 2012.

Any software (desktop, mobile or web) that integrates with an Evernote API is eligible for Devcup.

To help you get started, the Evernote team will be hosting Devcup Meetups around the world in May. Attend one in a city near you to brainstorm ideas, discuss your app with Evernote API experts, and connect with fellow participants. (If you can’t make it in person, click “Accept this Challenge” on devcup.evernote.com, and we’ll let you know about upcoming webinars.)

Moscow, Russia – Follow @evernote_ru for more info
San Francisco, USA – May 2
Taipei, Taiwan – May 7
Singapore – May 8
New Delhi, India – May 9
Zurich, Switzerland – May 9
Mexico City, Mexico – May 17
Tokyo, Japan – TBD
Osaka, Japan – TBD
Sao Paolo, Brazil – May 25

The Evernote Devcup is open from now until June 25. Create an app to help 25 million Evernote users do more: register to enter at devcup.evernote.com today!

More news on the Evernote Devcup:
Video: Evernote CEO Phil Libin announces Devcup 2012 [The Evernote Blog]
Now Inviting Developers to the Evernote Devcup [ProgrammableWeb]

For competition updates, follow @ChallengePost and @evernote_dev on Twitter, and use the hashtag #Devcup when you tweet.

By Brian

Vote for Challenge.gov in the Webby People's Voice Awards!

samanthabtse — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:20:44 -0400

Today’s the last day to cast your votes in the Webby People’s Voice Awards! Vote for Challenge.gov at cpo.st/govwebby.

ChallengePost is thrilled to be nominated in the 16th Annual Webby Awards for powering Challenge.gov, an online challenge platform for the U.S. Government to promote innovation using prizes and challenges.

We invite you to follow @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook to hear about the latest competitions on our platform.

Samsung Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge winners

samanthabtse — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:13:14 -0400

Samsung Mobile just announced the winners of the Samsung Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge, a competition for software developers to create Android apps using the Samsung S Pen SDK. The Android app developer community responded enthusiastically, entering 48 apps within a short month-long submission period, exceeding the expectations of the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.

Here are the winning apps, as determined by a five-member judging panel of distinguished techies from AndroidCentral.com, AT&T, BlueRun Ventures, Gameloft and Samsung Mobile. The Popular Choice Award was crowned by the public, who voted on their favorite submissions online.

Best Overall Apps

Grand Prize ($100,000) — “Monkey Write * Learn Chinese” by Chiu-ki Chan of Square Island LLC - a game for learning how to write Chinese characters. Numbered stroke ordering helps learners master simplified or traditional characters.
Second Prize ($50,000) — “Maze Racer” by Roger Peters of SmartyPantsGaming and David McCanless - a simple maze-inspired game where you get rewarded stars for drawing a line from start to finish as quickly as possible.
Third Prize ($25,000) — “Drawing Pad” by Christopher Lott and Daren Murtha of Murtha Designs - a mobile art studio that provides realistic results with the pressure sensitivity of the S Pen, transforming a digital stroke to a textured one using digital crayons, markers, paint brushes, colored pencils, stickers, roller pens, and more.

Popular Choice Prize ($2,000 and a Galaxy Note)

“SignDoc Mobile” by Softpro North America - an app that professionally captures handwritten signatures.

Honorable Mentions ($2,000 and a Galaxy Note)

Games – “Speed Draw” by Ferdouse Khaleque and Kabir Khaleque
Productivity – “Papyrus” by Andrew Hughes (Steadfast Innovation)
Media – “FlipaClip” by Visual Blasters team members Jonathan Meson and Tim Meson
Sports – “Playcall” by Sargon Benjamin
Entertainment – “Colors! For Galaxy Note” by Jens Andersson (Collecting Smiles)
Travel – “Map Note” by Base 2 Applications, LLC
Social – “Authorgraph” by Evan Jacobs (To the Reader, Inc)
Lifestyle – “Makeup Paint” Modiface Inc.
Education – “iAnatomy” by Anouk Stein, M.D.
Other – “bConnected @ Ball State for Galaxy Note” by Ball State University team members Kyle Parker, Valerie Morris, Ryan Bitzegaio, Brandon Smith, Ian Gibson and Brice Brenneman.

Thanks to everyone who participated and made the challenge a great success!

More news on the Samsung Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge:
Samsung announces Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge winners! [AndroidCentral]

What is the S Pen?
The S Pen is an input device for the Samsung Galaxy Note that enables quicker and more precise input than existing stylus pens. With 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, it recognizes precise pen pressure and gives users a more natural digital writing experience.

Follow @Samsung_Dev and @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

By Samantha

ONC, Million Hearts, and the American Heart Association want your video!

samanthabtse — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:24:00 -0400

Do you/someone you know have high blood pressure?
Are you/someone you know at risk for having a stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure?
Do you want to inspire others to get healthy and stay healthy?

If you answered yes to any of the above, check out the Beat Down Blood Pressure Video Challenge, the second in a series of Health IT video contests by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in 2012 to inspire individuals to use technology to improve health.

Tell us in a video (under 2 minutes) how you use technology to monitor or manage blood pressure, and you could win $5,500 in cash prizes. Whether you’re a patient, a friend/family member, a caregiver, or a healthcare provider, we want to hear your story!

What kind of technology can help manage blood pressure?
Some examples include personal e-health tools such as health related web sites, mobile apps, online communities, email/text reminders and other software; remote monitoring devices; and Health IT tools such as electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), and electronic prescribing (e-prescribing).

More news on the Beat Down Blood Pressure Video Challenge:
ONC/Million Hearts/American Heart Association Beat Down Blood Pressure Video Challenge [HealthIT Buzz]

Follow @ChallengePost on Twitter, and use the hashtag #HealthIT4UBP when you tweet.

By Samantha

Thanks to all who entered the 3rd @NYCBigApps competition. Looking forward to trying some...

samanthabtse — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:44:35 -0400

Thanks to all who entered the 3rd @NYCBigApps competition. Looking forward to trying some out!

- NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg

See more award ceremony photos over on NYCEDC’s...

samanthabtse — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:30:00 -0400

See more award ceremony photos over on NYCEDC’s photostream!

nycedc:

Last night, Mayor Bloomberg announced the winners of NYC BigApps 3.0, the third annual competition for software developers and members of the public to create web or mobile applications using official City data. A total of 11 winning applications were selected from a record 96 eligible applications that were submitted for this year’s contest. The NYC BigApps 3.0 winners are:

Best Overall Application

Grand Prize: NYCFacets - seeks to streamline and simplify the process for accessing, understanding, and utilizing the tremendous amount of data available in City’s NYC Open Data site.

Second Prize: Work+ - helps New Yorkers who traditionally work from home find nearby locations to work in their communities.

Popular Choice Award

Grand Prize: New York Trip Builder - a travel site that helps users personalize a trip in just a few quick steps.

Second Prize: Scene Near Me - provides alerts when users are near legendary New York City movie scenes.

Investor’s Choice Award

The Funday Genie - an application designed to help users plan a free day in New York City.

Best Mobility App

Embark NYC - an application designed to make taking the subway simple.

Best Green App

596 Acres - a public education project aimed at making communities in Brooklyn aware of the land resources around them.

Best Education App

Sage: Pre-K and Elementary Schools Search - a mobile application that enables parents to search by location for nearby NYC public Pre-K and elementary schools.

Best Health & Safety App

TestFlip.com Personal Safety App (Lite) for NYC - a personal emergency web mobile application which helps alert the nearest Police Precinct, provides a custom emergency phone number by SMS or provides a pre-scripted voice message or a custom email by simply pressing one Emergency Button.

Best NYC Mashup

Work+

Best Student Award

ParkAlly - an application which simplifies the search for available parking spots and eliminates the inconveniences associated with parking in heavily populated areas.

City Talent Award

Uhpartments - provides building maintenance reports for those users seeking apartments.

First launched in 2009 as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to increase transparency in government, as well as to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers and visitors, BigApps has grown each year and this year included more than 230 new datasets from more than 60 City agencies, commissions, and Business Improvement Districts, for a total of nearly 750 available data sets for developers.

Check out all the winning apps and read much more in the official press release. Congratulations to all who participated in this year’s competition!

NYC, we'll see you tonight!

samanthabtse — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:28:04 -0400

The NYC BigApps 3.0 Award Ceremony with Mayor Michael Bloomberg is mere hours away! Check out nearly 100 apps entered this year.

Special thanks to IAC for contributing the venue. Photo credit: Adam Friedberg

NYCEDC: NYC BigApps: Free Tickets!

samanthabtse — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:11:40 -0400

NYCEDC: NYC BigApps: Free Tickets!:

nycedc:

We’re counting down the seconds until the NYC BigApps 3.0 Award Ceremony on Tuesday, April 17th, where we’ll announce the winners of Mayor Bloomberg’s annual challenge to developers to create innovative apps using official City data to serve NYC residents, businesses, and visitors. This year, we received a record-breaking ~100 eligible software apps from developers, competing for $50,000 in cash and other prizes.

Want to see what the buzz is all about? You too can join the awards ceremony and join in the BigApps fun. We’re giving out tickets via our #NYCBigAppsTix giveaway, where you’ll have a chance to receive tickets to the show the evening of Tuesday, April 17th in Chelsea. Along with the tech, investor and NYC government community, share in drinks and hors d’oeuvres and be part of the excitement as the Mayor hands out prizes for the best apps, including two Popular Choice awards.

NYCEDC and the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunication (DoITT) have worked with more than 60 City agencies, Commissions, and Business Improvement Districts to make more than 230 new datasets available on NYC Open Data portal at www.nyc.gov/data for a total of nearly 750 available data sets. And you can help us brainstorm more!

Here’s how it works:

Follow us and tweet @NYCEDC with your original, new and useful dataset idea. You can check to see if the dataset already exists by searching www.nyc.gov/data. Please also see terms of use here.

Be sure to include hashtag #NYCBigAppsTix to ensure that your submission is counted.Here’s a prompt to get you started: Hey @NYCEDC, I want #NYCBigAppsTix! My dataset idea is:

The first 50 people to submit dataset ideas that are responsive to this announcement will each receive up to two (2) tickets to attend the NYC BigApps 3.0 Award Ceremony (we’ll direct-message you and ask you to provide additional contact information). If you are one of these first 50 people, your name and dataset ideas may also be published on NYCEDC’s blog.

The period for submitting your dataset ideas will run from Wednesday, April 11th at 12:00 PM through Friday, April 13th at 12:00 PM. The first 50 people who submit applicable dataset ideas will be notified no later than Friday evening, April 13th at 5:00 PM regarding their tickets to attend the NYC BigApps 3.0 Award Ceremony.

NYC BigApps 3.0 continues New York City’s ongoing engagement with the software developer community to improve the City, building on the first two annual BigApps competitions through new data, prizes, and resources. Learn more at www.nycbigapps.com.

NYC BigApps also furthers New York City’s open data efforts. As part of the Citywide Open Data Legislation, Local Law 11 of 2012, DoITT is currently developing technical standards and guidelines for City agencies. Learn more about how you can help NYC government unlock its data.

Read more from the NYCEDC

Is MintChip the next evolution of cash?

samanthabtse — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 -0400

Software developers in the U.S. and Canada: the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is inviting you to join the MintChip Challenge — create innovative digital payment applications using MintChip™, a new digital currency technology being hailed as the “evolution of currency.”

Winners will receive approximately $50,000 in gold. (Yes, gold!) Plus promotional exposure. The Mint will provide participating developers with a software development kit (SDK), two microSD MintChips, and two remote MintChip accounts that can be used to integrate the Mint’s technology with digital payment applications. Software applications can run on Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows, or a desktop or mobile browser.

Why now?
With the explosion of mobile commerce, a significant increase in electronic transactions over the past ten years, and the growing popularity of micro transactions (under $10) and nano-transactions (under $1), the Mint saw an opportunity in the virtual space for a new currency option. Recently, the research and development team dedicated resources to answering questions such as “What could improve the efficiency of currency?” and “What does the digital equivalent of the coins we use every day look like?”. As a result, MintChip was born.

How does MintChip work?
MintChip works on the Internet, in the physical store, on mobile devices, and enables easy person-to-person payments. It’s backed by the Royal Canadian Mint, a trusted and respected custodian of Canadian currency for more than a century. No personal data is exchanged in the transaction. And there is no intermediary or requirement for a proprietary network, so it’s cost effective for merchants. Using innovative technology, for which the Mint has prototypes and five patents pending, MintChip uses a secure chip to hold electronic value and a protocol to transfer it from one chip to another. To learn more about the technology, head on over to MintChipChallenge.com.

MintChip is limited to only 500 approved participants of the MintChip Challenge, so get your hands on one now: register to enter the competition!

If you are not a developer, or don’t have the time to create an app, share ideas on how you would use digital currency at ideas.MintChipChallenge.com.

Follow @ChallengePost on Twitter for competition updates, and use the hashtag #MintChip (ou #Cybermonnaie en français) when you tweet.

By Samantha

"Attention all members of the student-hacking population: IT IS ON!!"

samanthabtse — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:19:00 -0400

This weekend, some serious, gratuitous hacking is being assembled by hackNY, which takes place on NYU campus. Any full-time student is eligible to participate — the only pre-requisite is a love for hacking.

“This is not a hackathon about building something with a huge market or a ‘minimum viable product’ or something… Build something that blows away the judges with creativity and skill, either in design or technical winning.” says hackNY organizers.

Lots of food and drinks will be available to fuel brain cells into overdrive. Expect surprises throughout the night.

Sign up at hackerleague.org (a hackNY hack!), and read this post on what to expect. Arrive before 1:30 p.m. Saturday March 24 to sign in.

Students from Boston, Brown University, RISD, and Yale University: 10gen/mongoDB is sponsoring a free hackNYbus to bring you to the hackathon. Register here to reserve a spot.

Demos are open to the public and take place noon to 2pm Sunday, March 25. Don’t forget to invite friends and family to come watch!

If you do get inspired to build an MVP afterwards, we highly recommend that you check out Media Mash 2012 by NYC Media Lab, a $10,000 app development competition for the best apps that mash up data from NYC’s top media and tech companies. Learn more, and register to enter at MediaMash.ChallengePost.com.

Happy hacking!

Follow @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

By Judi

$100,000 grand prize for the best Android app that integrates this new feature

samanthabtse — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:40:00 -0400

Software developers: looking for something unique to differentiate an Android™ app?

Check out the Samsung S Pen™ SDK. It lets you easily implement writing/drawing features, animate drawings, record/play audio files over drawings, and more into your app.

This spring, Samsung is awarding $205,000 in cash and prizes for the best apps that integrate S Pen functionality using the S Pen SDK in the Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge.

Enter an app by April 2 to be in the running for these great prizes:

Best Overall App – Grand Prize: $100,000
Best Overall App – Second Prize: $50,000
Best Overall App – Third Prize: $25,000
Popular Choice Award: $2,000
Category Honorable Mention: $2,800 (10 category awards in games, media, sports, social, lifestyle, travel, education, productivity, entertainment and other)

Gain recognition from a panel of judges featuring influential leaders from AndroidCentral, AT&T, BlueRun Ventures, Gameloft, and Samsung.

Put a dent in the Android Marketplace (or should we say, Google Play) — create an app for the number 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.!

Register to enter: GalaxyNoteSPenChallenge.com

What is the S Pen?
The S Pen is an input device for the Samsung Galaxy Note™ that enables quicker and more precise input than existing stylus pens. With 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, it recognizes precise pen pressure and gives users a more natural digital writing experience.

Follow @Samsung_Dev and @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

By Samantha

A productive Hack Day for San Diego

samanthabtse — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:13:21 -0400

On a sunny Saturday the first week of March, 50 San Diegans got together at startup accelerator Ansir Innovation Center for Apps Challenge Hack Day — a brainstorm and collaboration event designed to help participants of the $50,000 AT&T San Diego Apps Challenge hash out ideas and get started with an app.

After the routine quick pitches and group formations, innovators (75% software developers / 15% visionaries) set off on a course to build working prototypes from 370+ city and partner datasets. In fact, some of them didn’t want to leave when the day was over! ”I was very happy that a lot of people stayed after the event to continue working.” says Wesley Quach, Community Manager at AI Center, who helped organize the event. Tim Ryan, the co-organizer, was equally pleased.

Since then, many participants have returned to AI Center to continue working on their submissions. (Glad to know it wasn’t just the free Pop Chips and 5-hour energy drinks served at Hack Day!)

If you’d like to join in on the fun, check out the AT&T Mobile App Hackathon in San Diego this weekend at co-working space Ambi-ent. Learn more and register to participate at MobileAppSD2.eventbrite.com.

For hints on what to develop, over 100 ideas have been suggested for you.

What app do you think would benefit the City of San Diego?

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

By Judi

A hackathon for San Diego

samanthabtse — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:45:00 -0400

Have an idea for an app that enhances services and quality of life for San Diegans? Join us at the AT&T Mobile App Hackathon in San Diego!

This event is geared towards helping both technical and non-technical attendees brainstorm ideas, form teams, and create apps for the $50,000 AT&T San Diego Apps Challenge. Software developers from AT&T, Sencha, and Apigee; and data experts from the City of San Diego will be on hand to answer questions and provide support.

Get full details and register to participate at http://MobileAppSD2.eventbrite.com.

When: March 23–24 (Friday networking followed by Saturday hacking)

Where: Ambi-ent, 702 Ash St. Suite 106, San Diego

What: To develop ideas, scout for teammates, and build a great app for San Diego

Prizes: $1,800 (5 prizes in 2 categories)

Need inspiration?

Check out 100+ app ideas for San Diego. Maybe one of them will spark something.
Explore 370+ datasets from The City of San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Metropolitan Transit System, SanGIS, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Invite a fellow hacker/San Diegan to be your muse.

Follow @SDAPPS and @ChallengePost on Twitter for competition updates, and use the hashtag #SDAPPS when you tweet. // Your participation and creations at the AT&T Mobile App Hackathon will not increase or decrease your chances of winning the AT&T San Diego Apps Challenge.

By Samantha

Mash up data in new and interesting ways

samanthabtse — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:06:00 -0500

Want to work more closely with media & tech companies? This is your chance.

NYC Media Lab today launched Media Mash, an app development competition that challenges software developers and students to mash up data from the city’s top media and tech companies to create new insights, experiences, and business models.

$10,000 in prizes will be awarded for the most innovative apps that run on the web, desktop computers, tablets, or mobile phones. With a distinguished judging panel featuring influential leaders in tech and media, this is a fantastic opportunity to make something great, and get your work noticed.

The competition features more than 40 APIs, feeds, and data from a variety of companies, including bitly, CBS Sports Fantasy, Etsy, Facebook, foursquare, The New York Times, PBS, Rolling Stone, Tumblr, and many more.

About NYC Media Lab
NYC Media Lab (www.nycmedialab.org) connects companies seeking to advance new media technologies with academic institutions, and was launched by NYCEDC, NYU-Poly, and Columbia University to tackle the big questions facing the media industry today, with the goal of generating research, knowledge transfer, talent development, R&D, and new business models.

Follow @NYCMediaLab and @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

By Samantha

Great $205k competition for Android developers

samanthabtse — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:07:04 -0500

What: Create an S Pen-integrated app for the Samsung Galaxy Note™ to help users capture, create and share like never before.

How: Use the Samsung S Pen™ SDK 2.0 to integrate S Pen functionality into a new or existing Android™ application that runs on Galaxy Note.

Prizes: $205,000 in cash and prizes (14 prizes, including 10 category awards)

Enter the challenge: GalaxyNoteSPenChallenge.com

Do something meaningful this Valentine's Day

samanthabtse — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:59:00 -0500

Nothing says love like taking care of your health or the health of loved ones!

Share how you’ll use technology to get healthy in 2012 in the Healthy New Year Video Challenge. Just under 2 minutes of video will put you in the running for great prizes:

First Prize: $2,000
Second Prize: $1,000
Third Prize: $500
Honorable Mention: $250 (3 prizes)
Popular Choice Award: $750

Check out the competition requirements, get tips on how to make a video, and register to enter at HealthyNewYear.Challenge.gov.

First Lady Michelle Obama: If you are doing great work, tell me about it

samanthabtse — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500

Has your faith-based, community, or non-profit organization done something to promote healthy lifestyles for kids? Check out the Let’s Move! Communities on the Move Video Challenge!

More news on the Let’s Move! Communities on the Move Video Challenge:
First Lady Michelle Obama: If You Are Doing Great Work, Tell Me About It [Let’s Move! blog]
How Is Your Community Moving? Send Us a Video! [Let’s Move! blog]

A record number of apps in NYC BigApps 3.0

samanthabtse — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:55:00 -0500

NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunication Commissioner Carole Post kicked off Social Media Week yesterday with the opening of public voting for NYC BigApps 3.0. Nearly 100 eligible apps were submitted this year — a record high in the history of BigApps competitions.

“NYC BigApps continues to be a success because of the strong ecosystem of software developers, NYC residents, judges, sponsors, and the City. This ecosystem, plus the Ideas challenge which gathered feedback from non-developers, the multiple hackathons, and the continually-improving data all were responsible for this year’s record number of apps. ChallengePost is honored to have been a part of this effort since the beginning.”

- Brandon Kessler, ChallengePost CEO

Check out the innovative apps at 2011.NYCBigApps.com and vote daily for your favorites!

NYC BigApps 3.0 fun facts:

Every application is built using NYC Open Data
More than half the apps integrated APIs from a BigApps API partner
Developers had access to nearly 750 datasets
230 of the datasets were brand new, made available by more than 60 City agencies, Commissions, and Business Improvement Districts
All apps are free!

Enhanced prizes & business opportunities:

Eligible apps will be reviewed by an all-star judging panel of leading investors and entrepreneurs, and winners will take home 11 cash prizes totaling $50,000. In addition, these amazing non-monetary prizes will be awarded:

2 NY Tech Meetup demo slots
2 TechStars finalist spots in its highly selective startup acceleration program
Membership in the inaugural BigApps Founders Network, which provides mentorship, networking, and business support services to help winners launch or expand their startups
A meeting with a representative of a startup whose API the “Best NYC Mashup Prize” winner used

NYC BigApps is part of New York City’s ongoing efforts to increase transparency in government, as well as improve quality of life for New Yorkers and visitors. We invite you to follow @NYCBigApps and @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

More NYC BigApps 3.0 News:
Official Press Release [NYCEDC]
Early Leader in BigApps Competition: Foursquare [Gigaom]
Vote for Your Favorite App in NYC’s BigApps 3.0 Competition [The Next Web]

By Samantha