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Serious question – why do you develop apps? Perhaps it’s for the love of coding, perhaps it’s for the money, maybe it’s because you might have what it takes to become the next big thing in mobile – or maybe it’s all of the above.
One thing is for sure, if you want to achieve any of these things the apps you develop need to be future-proof.
Joseph Schumpeter innovation economics states that sustained growth depends on technological change in cohesion with appropriate knowledge (programming).
Today’s apps then need to be intuitive, immersive, adaptable, and ready to embrace the next level of ground-breaking technology.
Enter perceptual computing. It’s fundamentally changing the way we interact with computers. No longer must we bow to the conventional input methods of days gone by.
Pundits have described the change as ‘disruptive’ which, aside from sounding oddly menacing and reminiscent of my school days, means that the shift towards this new wave of technology isn’t just a fad. Consider some examples that are already being used day to day, such as touch, voice recognition, augmented reality, and facial analysis.
The Intel Perceptual Computing Challenge has been launched to help you stay one step ahead of the game in capitalising on this new phase of technology. It’s offering investment to developers who come up with the best, most inventive ideas for apps using the Intel Perceptual Computing SDK.
The winner will be awarded $100,000 cash plus $50,000 of marketing and development consultation by Intel. There are also smaller (not that small!) prizes for the individual category winners, alongside second and third place prizes.
Here’s a quick overview of the categories:
• Perceptual gaming: The potential is pretty much infinite. Perhaps one of the most innovative and exciting areas for app developers, app gaming already has a massive, growing market of technology thirsty-enthusiasts. It’s about breathing life into games and making a real experience for the user.
• Open Innovation: Freedom to create and innovate outside the bounds of conventional computing models. The mind’s eye has no rules; the only boundaries are your own imagination and your knowledge of coding. This is the chance to show just how inventive you are.
• Creative User Experience: There’s no single best way for users to interact with computers any more. Users can engage with applications using any combination of the perceptual inputs. Be creative. What kind of interaction is memorable and innovative for the user?
• Productivity: A fast world needs faster, better, and easier applications. We’re all busy. Help us make our lives that much simpler by submitting your application ideas about how perceptual computing can help.
The challenge is open for entries until 17 June 2013. Initially 750 finalists will be selected, each of whom will receive a free Creative Interactive Gesture Camera Kit. Finalists’ ideas will then be taken into the next phase of creating the applications, which is when the serious prizes come into play.
More details about the competition can be found on the website, and you can download the SDK here. So if you are serious about developing apps and would like Intel’s support register here to submit your ideas and enter the challenge.
• This blog post is written by Softtalkblog, and is sponsored by the Intel Developer Zone, which helps you to develop, market and sell software and apps for prominent platforms and emerging technologies powered by Intel Architecture.
