With the Tizen-powered Samsung Gear 2 now on the market, Samsung is looking to boost the smartwatch's app ecosystem with a new "app challenge" for developers. From May 8, Gear 2 app developers can register their creations on Samsung Apps to participate in the challenge. The prize pool totals $1.25 million, including a $100,000 grand prize for first place.
Samsung also revealed plans to host events around the world to promote app development on the Gear 2, including a Samsung Gear Hackathon and Developer Day. The move from Android on the original Galaxy Gear to Tizen on Samsung's new smartwatches represents a significant behind-the-scenes change, and Samsung seems keen to get developers onboard with its new wearable platform.
SAMSUNG TO HOST "SAMSUNG GEAR APP CHALLENGE" FOR GEAR 2 APPS
24th April 2014, London, UK - Samsung Electronics announced that it will be holding a worldwide app challenge for Gear 2 app developers, "Samsung Gear App Challenge", to support the wearable app market.
The challenge will be the third in the series of "Samsung Smart App Challenges" and is part of Samsung's plan to continuously innovate the wearable app industry.
After unveiling the Samsung Gear 2 for the first time in February, Samsung distributed a software development kit (SDK) for the Gear 2 to developers free of charge. Developers can apply for the challenge by registering apps developed with the SDK on Samsung Apps from 8th May.
The prizes for the challenge amounts to over $1.25m, including a $100,000 cash prize which will be awarded to the first place winner.
"This challenge marks the beginning of Samsung's plan to boost the app ecosystem for the recently unveiled Samsung Gear 2. Samsung will continue to play its part in the wearable market through offering a wide array of outstanding SDKs to app developers." said Won-Pyo Hong, President of Samsung Electronics Media Solution Center.
In addition, Samsung plans to host various global events including the Samsung Gear Hackathon and Developer Day to help developers better understand the SDK for the Samsung Gear 2. For more information on app development for the Samsung Gear and related events, visit the Samsung Developer Site: http://developer.samsung.com/wearables/
