Nokia and AT&T Give Developers 10 Million Reasons to Create Apps

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Sep 23, 2010, 08:05 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, September 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- Calling All Innovators Contest Highlights Mobile Content for North America

Developers now have 10 million more reasons to create their next great app on Nokia smartphones. Nokia (NYSE:NOK) and AT&T* announced today an unprecedented developer contest with USD 10 million in cash and prizes. Winning applications are selected by Nokia, AT&T and, for the first time, by consumers who can use their downloading power to indicate their favorites.

The 2010 Calling All Innovators, North America contest is open to developers from around the world to create apps for North American consumers. All submitted apps will be made available exclusively for download via the Ovi Store by Nokia which is filled with thousands of apps, games and media from the content industry's biggest names along with independent developers. With AT&T as the exclusive co-judge, developers have a unique opportunity to get started today developing for the latest Nokia devices including the Nokia N8.

Nokia, in conjunction with AT&T, is also inviting developers to a free session, hosted during CTIA Enterprise and Applications in San Francisco, for a special tour of Qt and Nokia Web Runtime and Java tools. Additionally, each participating developer will receive a complimentary Nokia N8 developer pack from Nokia. Developers can register for the free session at: http://www.ctiaenterpriseandapps.com/events/eventdetails.cfm/1154

Calling All Innovators, North America

Developers have until January 28th, 2011, to submit their applications in more than 17 categories. For the first time, consumers will contribute to the finalist selection process by "voting" with their download power; the number of downloads - both free and paid - counts as part of the winning criteria. The final judging will be made by Nokia and AT&T where three winners in each category will be selected. Additionally, an overall contest app and game will be selected as grand prize winners. Category prize winners receive USD 150K each for a total of USD 4 million and grand prize winners receive an additional USD 100K each. Although submissions must be relevant for the North American consumer, developers from around the world can participate.

Winning developers will also receive more than USD 6 million in marketing promotion by Nokia and AT&T in the North American market.

"The commitment from Nokia is a clear message that we are serious about the North American market," said Purnima Kochikar, VP Forum Nokia. "Developers have the tools, the support from AT&T and the marketing power of Nokia to get visibility for their apps", she added. "Additionally, developers can make their Qt-based app available in Ovi Store to Nokia customers globally reaching tens of millions of customers."

Contest details, judging criteria and submission categories can be found at http://www.callingallinnovators.com/10M.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Forum Nokia

Nokia's global developer program, Forum Nokia connects developers to tools, technical information, support, and distribution channels they can use to build and market applications around the globe. From offices in the U.S., Europe, India, Japan, China, and Singapore, Forum Nokia provides technical and business development support to developers and operators to assist them in achieving their goal of successfully launching applications and services to consumers and enterprises. More information is available at http://www.forum.nokia.com.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we are committed to connecting people. We combine advanced technology with personalized services that enable people to stay close to what matters to them. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia device - from mobile phones to advanced smartphones and high-performance mobile computers. Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through Ovi (http://www.ovi.com), including music, maps, apps, email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, while Nokia Siemens Networks provides equipment, services and solutions for communications networks globally.

http://www.nokia.com

SOURCE Nokia Corporation