After a delay while Google’s engineers attempted to fix the submissions system, the Android Developer Challenge has finally opened for entries.  With a total prize-fund of $10m, the competition has both been lauded and criticised as stimulating software coding and simultaneously encouraging developers to jealously guard their skills.  Challenge I, which will be accepting entries until March 3rd, will offer 50-percent of that jackpot, with fifty winning entries getting a guaranteed $25,000 each and the possibility of supplementary awards - ten of $100,000 and ten of $275,000 - for particularly good applications.

Google will be judging applications on the following criteria:

1. Originality of Concept
   Does the application introduce a great new idea; for example, a new angle on social applications?
2. Effective Use of the Android Platform
   Does the application take advantage of Android’s unique and compelling features, such as built-in location-based services, accelerometer, and always-on networking?
3. Polish and Appeal
   Is the application easy to use and aesthetically appealing?
4. Indispensability
   Is the application compelling and essential, such as a game the user just can’t put down or a utility she can’t live without?

Some concerns had been raised by would-be software coders as to who might retain IP once applications were submitted, since the legal terms & conditions were also absent.  Thankfully Google has now released them, and addresses the ownership issue:

“As between Google and the Participant, the Participant retains ownership of all intellectual and industrial property rights in and to the Entry that Participant had before submission, including the right to distribute the application commercially at any time. As a condition of entry, Participant grants Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, publicly perform, publicly display and create a derivative work from, any Entry that Participant submits to this Challenge solely for the purposes of allowing Google to test and evaluate the Entry for purposes of the Challenge and to advertise, display, demonstrate, or otherwise promote the Android platform. Participant specifically agrees that Google shall have the right to use, reproduce, publicly perform, and publicly display the Entry in connection with the advertising and promotion of the Android platform via communication to the public or other groups, including, but not limited to the right to make screenshots, animations and video clips available for promotional purposes” Google Android Developer Challenge Terms & Conditions

Entrants will be split into individual coders, teams of developers and entries from companies.