Google Unveils ‘Early Look’ Mobile (Android) SDK

Just a week or so following its first official acknowledgement of plans to deliver (through the newly founded Open Handset Alliance) its much-hyped mobile platform, Google today released its Android software developer kit (SDK). The company is inviting Windows, Mac OS X, and Ubuntu Linux users/developers alike to participate and build applications for distribution through the OHA.

Big news, eh? The cat’s now literally out of the bag.

Or something like that. Google is of course hoping to spark the development of ingenious/groundbreaking/super-terrific nuggets of mobile-friendly software with this kit. And what better way for Mountain View to get the ball rolling than to dip into its oh-so-deep reserves and put up nice monetary prizes for those that manage to put together some supremely awesome applications?

Mind you, this isn’t a race to the finish, by any means. In fact, if you were to put together a great little app by this evening, you couldn’t submit it for consideration in Android Developer Challenge I or II. (Yes, that’s correct. There are two contests. One to be decided prior to the delivery of the first ensemble of Android-based handsets; one to occur after the first series of devices is delivered.)

Here are the details:

• Android Developer Challenge I runs from January 2 through March 3, 2008. $10 million is to be doled out between both contests. By the close of March 2008, a panel of judges (some presumably from Google, some not) will pick 50 entries for $25,000 awards, which will then be given the option to compete for ten awards worth $100,000 each, and/or another ten worth $250,000. (The particulars of those prizes have not been divulged, but, really, who cares? It’s money.)

• Android Developer Challenge II runs after the OHA gets some handsets out the proverbial door. The remaining cash of the total $10 million is to be distributed.

Alrighty. That’s that. Happy developing! And let’s be civil out there in SDK land, folks, m’kay? No pushing or shoving or tire slashing necessary. We’re calling for sportsmanship, you hear? Or developsmanship. Whatever.