Developers from over 70 countries have submitted 1,788 entries to the Android
Developer Challenge, according to Google.

The goal of the challenge is to drum up interest in the Android platform, a
software package for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware
and some key applications. Applications, built by anyone who has the requisite
the skills, will be a huge part of the Android vision, according to Google.

Any phone manufacturer or carrier could use the platform to build tailor-made
phones faster than previously possible, according to the platform's supporters,
the Open Handset Alliance.

The challenge entries cover many different application areas, including games,
social-networking, utilities, productivity and developer tools, according to
a Google
blog entry submitted by Azhar Hashem, product marketing manager for Android.

The U.S. generated the largest number of entries, with others from Germany,
Japan, China, India, Canada, France and the U.K., Hashem wrote.

Now it's time for the judges to get to work: They will soon receive laptops
loaded with all the submissions, according to Hashem.

Next month 50 semifinalists will be awarded $25,000 each to fund further development.
They will then compete for ten $275,000 awards, and ten $100,000 awards.

The winners will be announced on July 21.

IDG News Service

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