Create apps for Nokia's Ovi Store in Globe's CodeSpark 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Nokia and Globe celebrate Filipinos’ creativity and tech savviness in mobile application design as it brings once more CodeSpark 2011, a program that encourages mobile developers to build innovative applications for the Nokia platform and have their creations published through Nokia’s Ovi Store.

“This is an opportunity for the Filipino developer community to harness and improve their craft while showing to the rest of the world just how talented Filipinos are with the latest technology,” said Rhomel Marcojos, senior services marketing manager of Nokia Philippines.

“CodeSpark likewise affords developers the chance to be at the forefront of providing fresh and unique applications for mobile users who are always on the lookout for new apps for their Nokia devices,” Marcojos added.

The CodeSpark program is spearheaded by Globe Labs, a department in Globe created in 2008 to immerse the company and its different partners with technologies. 

Globe Labs aims to identify and develop applications across fixed and wireless networks that can be commercially introduced. 

It helps bring in the latest information and communications technologies at the earliest market-relevant time to customers.

For this year’s CodeSpark program, Nokia Philippines has also partnered with Forum Nokia, the global developer program that provides developers with tools, technical information, support, and distribution channels that they can use to build and sell innovative, world-class applications.

Nokia will be awarding $1,000 for every successful application that will be published on the Ovi Store.

“We are delighted by the response we received when we launched the program last year. This year, it will be even bigger and more challenging for Filipino developers as we seek fresh concepts and ideas for mobile applications that will cater to the local preference of the market and engage them to download away,” said Blue de Venecia, head of Globe Labs.

CodeSpark 2011 aims to invite developers to use Nokia’s very own Qt, a cross-platform application and UI framework, or Java MIDP to build new and innovative applications. 

These applications will be published on Nokia’s Ovi Store, which is now a huge success in the mobile applications download arena. 

Nokia’s Ovi Store has already reached the one-million monthly download mark for the Philippines alone in December 2010, a whopping 75 percent growth in just three months.

CodeSpark 2011 is open to developers — individuals, groups, companies or members of the academe. 

The applications should be built using Qt or Java MIDP platform. Game applications to be developed must be educational in nature.  

Applications should connect to the Internet via GPRS, 3G or HSDPA to deliver all or part of their core functionality or use at least one of Globe services — SMS, MMS, LBS or voice.   

Interested developers may register, which should include their outlines for the application they wish to develop.

Submitted application proposals will be evaluated and approved by Forum Nokia, Nokia Philippines and Globe based on the following criteria: Stickiness — an application’s ability to cause users to return to use it often as part of life’s routines; Relevance — applications that are locally relevant to the target audience, geographically and demographically; Uniqueness — applications that are not currently available in the Ovi Store; and Fun and Cool — which is self-explanatory.

If the proposal for an application is approved, qualified developers will be advised to create an Ovi Store Publisher Account. 

Presentation of application proposal will be on March 15, April 1 and May 2. The applications should by then be functioning and installable on actual devices. 

Publication of the applications on Nokia’s Ovi Store is on May 31 and at the myGlobe Free Apps for six months, making them available to Globe subscribers for free.

The mobile applications must pass the Ovi Store quality assurance process and the Globe fair use policy on mobile and broadband prior to publication.

For more information, log on to www.globelabs.com.ph.