Nokia Looks to Spur Mobile App Development

Nokia said Monday that it would sponsor a competition for development of mobile applications using its Open C plug-in for S60-capable smartphones. The winner will receive $20,000 in cash, as well as distribution and marketing support. UK wireless carrier Orange is also participating in the contest, offering the winner a spot in its application store that subscribers access to download applications to their phones.

The Finnish cell phone maker recently introduced the plug-in in order to make it easier for developers to produce applications for the S60, or Series 60, platform. Nokia and Symbian hope that offering an easier way of developing applications will grow the number of programs available to Symbian users. Winners would be selected at the Symbian Smartphone Show in October.