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Nokia teams up with AT&T to launch $10 million Ovi app challenge

Competition calls for innovators

Nokia teams up with AT&T to launch $10 million Ovi app challenge
With app development contests fast becoming standard practice for OEMs or carriers looking to encourage development on their marketplaces, Nokia has teamed up with AT&T in an effort to fuel the same kind of creative fire on Ovi Store.

Calling All Innovators comes with an eye-catching $10 million prize fund, with both parties challenging developers to come up with the best apps for the Symbian^3 powered N8.

Awarding Ovi stars

"We're challenging developers to create new applications and games for the new Nokia N8 and future Nokia devices for consumers in the US and Canada," Nokia says of the competition.

"With $10 million in cash, devices, and marketing prizes up for grabs, now is the time for you to take advantage of Ovi Store's global reach which gives you access to the world's largest community of app-purchasing mobile consumers."

Registration for the competition seems to be simple enough, with developers having to complete a competition submission form when publishing their title on the Ovi Store for N8.

A total of 17 categories are up for grabs, six of which specifically relate to games; action and adventure, cards and casino, classic and arcade, puzzles and strategy, sports and racing, and trivia and education.

Cash for creativityMoving forward, 10 titles in each category will make the final shortlist, with a panel of Nokia and AT&T judges picking whittling it down to 51 prize winners.

The top app and top game will then both be awarded as cash prize of $100,000, plus $1.9 million in marketing spend. The two runners up also pick up $1 million to spend on promotion.

Finally, the remaining gold, silver and bronze award winners in each category will all be allocated cash prizes, ranging from $150,000 to $25,000.

More details can be found on the Calling All Innovators website.

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.