Sprint wants innovative 4G apps from developers

Sprint Nextel Corp. has partnered with WIRED, Reddit and Ars Technica to launch an app developer contest called the Sprint 4G App Challenge.
The No. 3 U.S. carrier in terms of subscribers wants developers to create new and innovative apps to push the envelope and thereby increase the value proposition of its fourth-generation network for customers. Sprint is accepting submissions through Nov. 5 and will recognize the top of the class in five categories: entertainment, gaming, productivity, social networking and multimedia. Sprint will score submissions based on creativity, intuitive navigation, functionality and design.
Winners in each category will receive a $50,000 grand prize, an HTC Corp. EVO 4G with a year of service, a one-year membership to the Sprint Professional Developer Program and an invite to WIRED’s VIP party during the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas.
“We are excited to announce the Sprint 4G App Challenge and help spur creation of innovative new apps that harness 4G speed,” said Len Barlik, VP of wireless and wireline services for Sprint. “Developers can take advantage of unique features from the only 4G phones available in the U.S. today like the popular HTC EVO 4G and new Samsung Epic 4G, along with incredibly fast 4G data speeds to create apps that increase productivity for businesses and let consumers do even more than they imagined with their mobile phone.”
The winning apps will be announced and showcased Dec. 16 at the WIRED store in New York. Contest rules, regulations and more information is available at sprint.com/appchallenge.