Supporting creative industry and generating new jobs
Winning projects will be made available for user download on Windows Marketplace
(Hong Kong, 23rd June 2009) Windows Mobile handsets are becoming more and more popular, as the fastest-growing segment in the Smartphone market. The growing popularity of Windows Mobile triggers increasing demand for more creative and entertaining applications by the users. To foster greater creativity among different sectors of the community and encourage development of a greater variety of Windows Mobile applications, Microsoft recently joined hands with The Pocket PC Channel, a popular online media in Hong Kong, and also the Cyberport IncuTrain Centre, to launch the local first-ever “Windows Mobile Software & Game Design Contest.” Winning applications will be made available for user download on Windows Marketplace, the latest service to be rolled-out along with the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5 later this year, bringing in new business opportunities for the local creative industry at large.
This contest is supported by various Government-funded organizations, the academia and NGOs including the Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre, the Hong Kong Internet Association, the School of Design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and the Information and Communications Technology Department of the Institute of Vocational Education. Experts and professionals in related industries have been invited as jurors to the contest, signifying the authority of the event and shedding new light on key market trends and insights for the contestants’ benefits, which is expected to encourage the origination of more creative applications.
Winning applications to be showcased on Windows Marketplace for download
Contest to foster greater creativity for more business opportunities
With the proliferation of mobile communication technologies, the demand for PDA phones and Smartphone continues to rise. With Windows Mobile platform as one of the most popular operating platforms in the market, Microsoft has been listening to customers’ feedbacks and introducing exciting new services and applications based on its understanding of market needs. The objective is to enable customers to enjoy a seamless user experience that is connected with all other Windows platforms for both work and play. The soon-to-be-launched online shop, Windows Marketplace, is one of Microsoft’s latest offerings combining the best of both software and services for a wide range of applications, addressing all aspects of the modern mobile communication needs. It also allows software developers to upload their applications for open downloading, making the Windows Marketplace as a stage to showcase immense creativity and a powerful platform for business development.
Ms. Joelle Woo, Director of Developer and Platform Group of Microsoft Hong Kong Limited said, “Echoing the Government’s policy to support the creative economy, Microsoft is committed to foster the development of creative industries in Hong Kong by supporting individuals and SMEs in the industry. The software development industry, like many others, is facing severe challenges in this economic downturn, which we at Microsoft sees as an opportunity. We aim to encourage innovations in even more creative Windows Mobile applications through this contest, whereas the new Marketplace will provide a powerful platform for individuals and entrepreneurs to capture possible business opportunities. Coupled with the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5, we anticipate even greater innovation, ensuing a new wave advancement in Hong Kong’s software development industry, realizing dreams and visions of many. “
Mr. Nicholas Yang, CEO of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited added, “Cyberport has always been focusing on company development and professional training for the industry. We strive to capitalize innovative ideas and nurture start-ups. Followed by our first collaboration with Microsoft earlier this year in co-founding the ‘BizSpark Creativity Center’, this contest is a natural progression to support local enterprises in developing digital entertainment and creative lifestyle content. I believe these aggressive strategies to promote creativity will add to the development of local creativity industry as promoted by the government, while creating new jobs and business opportunities.”
Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Marketplace will be launched in the second half of 2009. The Marketplace will offer all Windows Mobile users an online open channel to browse, shop, download and install useful applications to their handsets. Any developer who wants to upload applications to the Windows Marketplace will only need to have a valid identity card and a Windows Live account, and pay USD99 to apply for the identity as an Application Provider. They can upload their applications and allow users to download either for free or with a service charge. Providers can obtain 70% of the sales revenue generated from their own applications, while sharing their masterpiece with users. More details about Windows Marketplace will be pending on further announcements. Winning applications will be made available on Windows Marketplace for free, to recognize the winner or winning team for their creativity and offer them an invaluable opportunity for business development.
Details of the Contest
| Eligibility: | Anyone aged 16 or above, irrespective of nationalities. Individual, team, organizations and corporate entries are also welcome. Each team of contestants may consist of a maximum of 5 individuals. |
| Key Dates: |
15th August, 2009: Deadline for submission of nomination forms
21st September, 2009: Deadline for submission of completed applications 15th October, 2009: Online announcement of winners’ list 3rd November, 2009: Prize presentation ceremony |
| Jury Panel: |
Mr. Nicholas Yang, CEO of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Co Ltd
Mr. Vincent Yeung, Centre Manager, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre, Hong Kong Productivity Council Prof. Henry Ma, Associate Director, School of Design, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Mr. Anthony Tang, Centre Director, Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre Ms. Joelle Woo, Director of Developer and Platform Group, Microsoft Hong Kong Limited Mr. Derrick Ngan, Manager, PocketPC Channel Mr. Sze Yan Ngai, President, Gameone Interactive.com Inc |
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Prizes (in cash & in kind): |
With a net worth of over HKD150,000.00 |
To download nomination form and for more details of the Contest, please visit: www.windowsmobilecontest.com.
For more details on Microsoft Windows Marketplace, please visit: http://developer.windowsmobile.com/
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. The Microsoft Hong Kong office was established in 1991.
About The Pocket PC Channel
Founded in 2002, The Pocket PC Channel is currently Hong Kong’s largest online portal with comprehensive information about Windows Mobile. The portal offers latest local and overseas’ information, software and data about Windows Mobile and currently has over 180,000 members. Representatives from the Channel have been invited to participate in various industry events including television and print media interviews, seminars, online academy, indoor and outdoor practical courses. The portal is supported and recognized by various brands and enterprises. Software and publications published by the Channel are all highly-valued by the industry. The Channel has also participated in the Microsoft Mobius event and was awarded with the Microsoft “Most-Valued Professional” (MVP) Prize.
About Cyberport IncuTrain Centre
Funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund, Cyberport established Hong Kong’s first and only incubation and training centre for the digital entertainment industry, dubbed “IncuTrain Centre”. The aims of setting up the Centre are to build and promote entrepreneurship and competence for commercialization success in the digital entertainment industry of Hong Kong, to create a cluster for potential and creative small-to-medium size companies to develop their business, and to generate a pool of creative business talents for the industry. The Centre gained totally 25 million funding from the government again in 2009, which will be used for facilitating the development of local digital entertainment and creative lifestyle content.
For more information, please visit http://www.incutrain.hk
Media enquiry, please contact:
| Microsoft Hong Kong | |
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Ms Alice Li Tel: +852 2804 4130 Email: aliceli@microsoft.com |
Ms Wence Wong Tel: +852 2804 4320 Email: v-wewong@microsoft.com |
| Creative Consulting Group | |
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Ms Penn Leung Tel: +852 2372 0090 Mobile: +852 6077 7342 Email: penn@creativegp.com |
Mr. Sam Leung Tel: +852 2372 0090 Mobile: +852 9685 9295 Email: sam@creativegp.com |
