By Ted Nesi
PBN Staff Writer
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - AT&T and three technology groups today launched Fast-Pitch New England, an “American Idol”-style competition for developers of mobile phone applications.
AT&T says the goal of the contest is to find the best mobile app in New England. Developers from across the region can submit their applications online to the contest, which is AT&T’s first mobile application competition for a single region.
The grand prize is $10,000. The winner also will receive in-store promotion at AT&T’s New England retail outlets and be featured on AT&T’s devCentral and choice.att.com Web sites. The company said it also will “fast-track the winning application for wider distribution consideration on one of AT&T’s mobile download portals.”
AT&T is accepting submissions now through Sept. 30 at its Fast-Pitch 2008 Web site in three categories: browsing, messaging, and downloads.
Three finalists will be announced on Oct. 22, and they will then be invited to give 15-minute presentations about their applications on Nov. 22 to a panel that will include AT&T officials, a venture capitalist firm, a wireless handset maker and other industry leaders. The winning applications will be announced at the end of the event.
“Maximum customer choice is what real openness is all about. AT&T’s customers have long enjoyed the freedom to choose applications from AT&T or from the Web to make the most of their wireless experience. Programs like Fast-Pitch New England help ensure that customers have the best applications at their fingertips,” Steve Krom, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s wireless operations in New England, said in a statement. “The tech community is thriving here and we’re pleased to be able bring attention to a talented application development company in the local area.”
The contest’s other sponsors are the Massachusetts Network Communications Council (MassNet Comms), Mass Tech Leadership Council (Mass TLC) and Mass Innovation Technology Exchange (MITX).
