Samsung offers $2.7 million in bada Developer Challenge

An attempt to foster thirdparty support, as well as an example of the level of faith Samsung has in its forthcoming mobile OS, the firm's decision to offer $2.7 million in winnings for its bada Developer Challenge is likely to attract studios aplenty.

The challenge is designed to highlight the creativity developers are able to achieve on bada, with a top prize of $300,000 going to the app Samsung considers makes best use of the OS.

Given bada is yet to officially launch, those who sign-up will be expected to use a simulator for the next three months.

The 300 most promising entrants will then be sent a Wave handset to evaluate their offerings and continue development.

Split pot

Three months later, Samsung will announce the overall winner, with 33 runners up being awarded between $100,000 and $30,000 each.

A final group of 56 Device phase Winners will pick up $8,000 each.

The sheer amount of money on offer is bound to generate attention, given a similar UK-only competition by Samsung for Android apps offered £2,000 in winnings.

Samsung, despite supporting almost every mobile OS, is naturally keen to position bada as its primary focus for the foreseeable future, the cash injection it's prepared to give studios who back the OS striking evidence of its commitment.

Registration for the challenge kicked-off today. Those who already have the bada SDK should visit the Developer Challenge site to sign-up.

[source: Samsung]