Since 1999
Mobile development domain is an exciting place to be these days. Sheer numbers of mobile users, the exploding growth despite the general recessionary trends, deeply personal connection of the users with their mobile phones and the portability of the device has made it the hottest item when it comes to technological breakthroughs and developer focus.
Here I will discuss a mobile application which is the prime example of out-of-box thinking and innovation which has got social development in focus.
Nano Ganesh – boon to farmers emerging from Nokia Calling all Innovators contest
The Nano Ganesh application allows farmers in India to establish remote contact with distant, modem-equipped electric irrigation pumps, to check on power supply and pump operation without the need to travel long distances.
Nano Ganesh, provides a service which has the potential to truly make a difference in the lives of farmers in developing countries like India where power supply is so erratic. Such farmers can now control their pumps according to the availability of the power right from their homes through their mobiles. This application also helps to check if there is a sufficient power supply to run the pumps. What makes this application truly useful is the fact that this works through voice activation and doesn’t require costly high end phones – any basic Nokia handset will do.
This application has been selected by Nokia as a Grand Prize winner in its category in the global Calling All Innovators contest. The developer of this application Santosh Ostwal, joined 10 other developers worldwide who were honored in Barcelona, Spain, in the Forum Nokia Calling All Innovators Award Ceremony during the annual GSMA Mobile World Congress.
About Calling all Innovators contest
The contest which inspired such a useful and innovative application is a major contest organized by Nokia which challenges mobile and web application developers worldwide to compete by submitting best-in-class applications for use on Nokia devices.
The Calling All Innovators contest is open to anyone and mobile and web application developers worldwide to submit entries in four categories:
• Internet innovation – Applications which can transform consumer-focused ideas into real applications on Nokia devices using technologies that include Nokia Web Runtime, XHTML, CSS, Java Script, AJAX, widgets and other standards-based web technologies.
• Flash – Applications which expand the capabilities and user benefits of Flash Lite on Nokia S60 devices.
• Emerging Markets and Mobile Necessities – For applications across mobile technology platforms – ranging from SMS through Series 40 and S60 device platforms. All applications will be considered, including those developed using Java, Python, or open source.
• Applications on Maps – for location awareness applications
This contest introduced some spectacular and innovative applications last year and this years’ contest is expected to top the last years’ performance because of wider scope and better reach. I can’t wait for the results of this year and, I am sure, nor do you after reading this post.
