This article is more than 1 year old

Samsung's Developer Challenge shortlist put to public vote

Bada Waves all round

Samsung's Global Developer Challenge has reached the shortlisting phase, though short isn't quite accurate for the 300 applications the public is being asked to vote on.

While Vodafone might be happy asking people to pick from four options, Samsung wants to emphasise just how popular Bada is. Therefore it is presenting 300 application descriptions, from which the public is asked to pick the six they like the most, though all 300 developers get a shiny Wave handset to play with.

They'll need that, as the applications concerned were all developed using the Bada simulator. This was essential given the rarity of Bada handsets when the competition was launched in June.

The Wave is a nice enough handset, and the Bada application store works well and is slowing filling out, but it still has a lot of shelf space that needs to be filled if Bada is going to be a credible alternative to Android, or even Symbian. This is why Samsung has stumped up almost $3m in prizes, and is giving away a book on the subject, in a desperate attempt to drum up support.

This would all be more convincing if Samsung wasn't busy hedging its bets with some of the best Android handsets on the market, not to mention flirting with Windows Phone 7. Samsung is spending a lot of money on Bada, but it's not betting the company.

But if you've got nothing better to do on a Friday afternoon then take a look at what Bada developers are doing with their time. You might even be moved to express an opinion about who should get the cash. ®

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like