BYU NewsNet - Apple hosts iPhone applications contest at BYU

Apple Inc. will be hosting an iPhone development contest at BYU beginning this week.

The contest, which will focus on developing applications for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch, is being hosted in conjunction with the BYU chapter of CocoaHeads, a discussion group centered on Apple's Cocoa Frameworks used for programming.

"Apple has recently started actively recruiting at BYU," said Reed Olsen, a member of the CocoaHeads board and Campus Rep for Apple. "This year, we suggested that we organize an iPhone development competition, and Apple was excited to sponsor it."

The contest is open to current BYU faculty, staff and students. Contestants may work alone or in teams of two or three to develop their application. Registration ends Sept. 10 at midnight, although late registration will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis until Friday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

During the month long contest, participants will use Apple's iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) to design and test their applications. The BYU chapter of CocoaHeads will ensure contestants are well prepared for their work.

"We will be having bi-weekly classes to teach participants how to program for the iPhone [using] the Objective-C language and the Cocoa Framework," said Olsen.

At the conclusion of the contest, Apple employees will judge applications based on stability, functionality, ease of use and features. Contestants have the chance to receive an iPod touch and other prizes provided by Apple.

Further information on the contest, including a full listing of rules, can be found at iphone.byu.edu.

The contest demonstrates the popularity of the iPhone and iPod touch's ability to use third party applications. Developers can design and upload applications to Apple's App Store; iPhone and iPod touch users can then download them wirelessly from their devices or on their personal computers using iTunes and a USB cable. The store is popular among iPhone users, with over 10 million applications downloaded during the weekend following the opening of the store in July 2008. Applications available include social networking tools, games, business programs and medical applications.