Google provided a first look at the Android SDK, a set of dev tools, Java libraries, documentation, and sample code for building applications targeting mobile devices from the Open Handset Alliance Project. While devices aren't expected to be released until later in 2008, Google is spurring development of applications by launching a two-stage Android Developer Challenge with a total of $10 million in cash prizes for winning mobile apps.
The first Android Developer Challenge will accept entries from January 2, 2008 through March 3, 2008. The top 50 entrants will be announced in late March and each will receive $25,000. Those entrants will then be eligible for ten $275,000 awards and ten $100,000 awards, which will be announced in May. The second part of the Android Developer Challenge will take place after hardware built on the platform is available (expected in the second half of 2008).
Applications will be judged on the best use of the Android platform, such as location-based services and mash-up functionality. Any individual or commercial business is eligible to enter, provided the entrants can legally receive US dollars.
Developers interested in entering the challenge can start by downloading the Android SDK. The platform is based on Java, and the SDK is being released under the Apache license. The Android SDK includes the mobile-optimized Dalvik virtual machine, an Android Emulator, and the Android Development Tools (ADT) Plugin for the Eclipse IDE. The ADT plug-in lets you use all of the advanced Eclipse features for creating and debugging your Android applications. For more information on the SDK and the Android Developer Challenge visit the Android home page.
