Nokia Extends Deadline For ‘Create For Millions’ Competition in East and Southern Africa

Nokia’s Series 40 mobile phones bring the Web –and now apps – to the Next Billion

Nairobi, Kenya, 19^th September 2011: Nokia today announced the extension of the deadline for its ‘Create for Millions’ Competition in East and Southern Africa to give developers ample time to work on mobile applications running on its Series 40 operating system.

Developers and consumers willing to participate now have up to November 1, 2011 to enter the competition aimed at supporting Nokia’s strategy to bring the Web to the next billion. Winners of the competition will be announced on November 25, 2011.

Kenneth Oyolla, Nokia’s General Manager for East and Southern Africa said: “This competition connects ideas generated by consumers with the creativity and skills from developers, aiming to create great, locally relevant applications. We believe this contest is central to the success of a growing population of developers in Kenya and the region most of whom are now keen to scale up their work onto the global platform.”

Nokia’s S40 mobile phones play a key role in Nokia’s strategy to bring the Web to the next billion, particularly in emerging markets where a consumer’s first web experience is often through the mobile phone. As the largest mobile platform in the world by volume, more than half a billion Nokia Series 40 mobile phones are in consumer’s hands today.

Apart from developing applications for Nokia’s Series 40 mobile phones ‘Create for Millions’ also provides developers an opportunity to bring Java and web apps to millions of consumers worldwide and win their share of cash and prizes valued at one million Euros. In addition, winners will attend an all-expense paid trip to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in February 2012.

Nokia’s ‘Create for Millions’ challenges consumers to submit their best ideas for the applications they’d like to see on Nokia Series 40 mobile phones. Authors of the winning entries may see their ideas come to life in person at Nokia World later this year and can meet the developers who created them.

Said Mr Oyolla: “This competition is further demonstrates our goal of providing simple but impactful solutions that make a difference to the people using Nokia mobile phones today. The contest is unique in that it recognises not only developers but also millions of consumers across the region.”

Nokia East and Southern Africa is planning to fly the winners to Mobile World Congress scheduled to take place in Barcelona between February 27 and March 1, 2012. Those who win locally also stand a chance to emerge global winners in this competition.

In this competition, developers are invited to submit Java and web apps for Nokia Series 40 phones in four categories:

·         In the Know - News and locally relevant information apps

·         Fun & Games - Games and entertainment apps 

·         Emotional Closeness - Social networking apps 

·         Access to Knowledge – Life improvement apps, for example education or health  

To enter Nokia's Create for Millions contest, developers will need to first publish their new Series 40 Java or web app to Ovi Store, and then complete the contest registration form including valid contact details, the content item URL from Nokia’s Ovi Store as well as a short demo video to showcase their app. The registration form is accessible on http://www.developer.nokia.com/create4millions/east_and_southern_africa

For each of the four contest categories listed above, there will be 10 cash prizes, with a top prize of 50,000 euros in each category. Top apps in each category win a variety of non-cash prizes such as user experience reviews and app marketing assistance.   In addition, special prizes will be awarded to apps that showcase the best touch feature in an app, the best location-aware app and the best overall Series 40 web app. 

Consumers are encouraged to submit ideas in one of three categories: health & education; social networking & location; and games & infotainment. Additionally, consumers can vote on entries and comment or collaborate on ideas already submitted.