With Google dominating the mobile verse, Android is now setting its sights on conquering Sub-Sahara Africa.
In order to motivate the masses to come up with innovative Android Apps, Google is launching a “mini X-Prize” competition where the winner receives not only a smartphone (of course), but some cash as well.
The Android Developer Challenge is designed to encourage the creation of cool and innovative Android mobile apps built by developers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Invent apps that delight users and you stand a chance to win an Android phone and $25,000 USD. To get started, choose from one of three defined eligible categories (see below), build an Android app in a team or by yourself, and submit it via the competition website by July 1st. The winning app will be announced on September 12th at G-Kenya. (Android Developers Blog)
Courting sub-Sahara Africa is a smart move by Google, as it’s one of the few regions in the world where Android’s rivals have no interest in competing (with the exception of Nokia via their dying platform Symbian).
If Google can secure a stronghold in sub-Sahara Africa, it could open doors for Android to the rest of the continent, helping Google to dominate an emerging market with a billion plus people.
Originally posted on April 14, 2011 @ 1:53 pm