Globe launches new program to showcase talent of mobile developers

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom has launched a new program for mobile developers to exhibit their ability and creativity in designing applications, especially for the Philippine market.

The program, called CodeSpark, encourages Filipino developers to build innovative applications for the Nokia platform to get a chance to distribute their creations through Globe and Nokia’s Ovi Store.

CodeSpark is led by Globe Labs, a department in Globe created in 2008 to immerse the company and its different partners with future technologies. Globe Labs aims to identify and develop applications across fixed and wireless networks that can be commercially introduced. It also helps bring in the latest nformation and communications technologies at the earliest market-relevant time to customers.

“We are very excited to introduce a new program for our Filipino developer community. CodeSpark provides them a venue to improve their craft as the best and most creative minds participate to offer new mobile applications especially for the Filipino subscribers,” Globe Labs head Blue De Venecia said.

Globe Labs has partnered with Nokia Philippines and Forum Nokia for this year’s CodeSpark. With the theme “Innovating for the connected Filipino,” CodeSpark encourages mobile developers to design applications that would appeal to the domestic taste or cater to the local preference of the market. The program aims to celebrate Filipino talent and ingenuity as well as the Filipinos’ strong presence in the online community. Thus, the applications should be designed to allow Filipinos to connect to one another through the Internet.

Open to members of Globe Labs’ developer community, which include individuals and groups, companies and members of the academe, the applications should make use of GPRS or 3G technology. In this year’s CodeSpark, the search is on for mobile applications that can be implemented on Nokia devices. Participants can choose between two platforms and categories: Series 40 Nokia devices using Java MIDP 2.0 or S60 Nokia devices using Qt/C++.

Nokia Philippines general manager Benoit Nalin said Nokia is always open to developers who would like to make applications for Series 40 and S60 devices.“Local developers will know what kind of apps are needed by their fellow Filipinos. It doesn’t have to be a big idea, it can be the simplest thing but one that is relevant to the majority,” Nalin added

Globe said Filipino developers will be given three months to build their mobile applications. Last day of registration is on Aug. 20 while the deadline for submission of applications is on Sept. 3, 2010.

All entries will be posted at the Philippine Ovi Store on Sept. 8, 2010 and at the myGlobe Free Apps for four months, making it available to Globe subscribers for free. The mobile applications must pass the Ovi Store quality assurance process prior to publication. Also, the entries must pass the Globe’s fair use policy on mobile and broadband before posting.  

The awarding of the winners of CodeSpark is on Sept. 24, 2010. The best mobile application for each of the two categories will be distributed through Ovi Store and myGlobe Free Apps. Globe Labs, Nokia Philippines and Forum Nokia will award four winning teams, two winners from each of the categories, with a new Nokia S60/MAEMO and P25,000 cash prize.