Category 4: Apps of the Year

4f. Best Application using Network APIs

More and more operators are now giving developers access to network assets and information through the use of Network APIs. These can be used by either Web based applications running on a developer’s web server or within Apps installed on devices. The type of API can vary from providing access to messaging services like SMS and MMS, provision of location or identity services, access to mobile multimedia communications systems and payment services that allow items to be added to user’s mobile phone bill.

This award category aims to promote the utilisation of Network APIs to allow a developer to enhance their mobile or web application either by incorporating information from the mobile network or by making it easier for a mobile user to use the application. Entry is open to any application that utilises Network APIs as exposed either directly by a mobile operator or the GSMA or via an intermediary. The App must either be available via any publicly accessible Application Store (e.g. iTunes, Google Play etc.) or it must be a Web application that is available from a website via the internet.

Judging will be based on the use of mash-ups of multiple Network APIs to provide innovative examples of applications that can include information from mobile networks to improve their value to the user or utilise the capabilities of a network operator to improve the way the application can be used by a mobile user.

One winner in this category will announced at the Mobile World Congress www.mobileworldcongress.com in Barcelona on Tuesday 26^th February 2013.

Eligibility:

Entry is open to any application able to be run on a mobile device where that application is publicly accessible via a public Application Store on or before the awards entry deadline of Friday 30th November 2012 or any web based application that is publically available from a website before the same awards entry deadline.

Judging criteria:

The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:

• Innovation in the use of multiple Network APIs exposed either directly or indirectly by Mobile operators
• High degree of Application Usability for the mobile user

Entry forms, supporting materials & formats:

This year, the submission of video to support your entry/entries is very positively encouraged. You may provide one URL to a video link demonstrating your entry. This should be either privately or publicly posted to YouTube (if a private post, please provide a user name and password for judges to access). The video should be between three and five minutes in length, but no more.

If pointing judges to a website within your entry, please include one website URL that gives access to your application being entered for the award. If your app runs on a mobile device, please indicate the name of the Public Apps Store from which the application is available together with the name of the application being entered for the award.

The on-line entry form includes an upload facility for you to provide multimedia. You will have the ability to upload five additional files to accompany your entry up to a maximum file size of 5MB each. These can be illustration PDF for customer testimonials etc, JPEG for photos or PowerPoint for technical diagrams or statistics, but please keep these relevant to your entry and keep the pages to a maximum of two .

Specific Entry Form Questions for this category:

On the entry form, in addition to submitting contact and company information, you will be asked to answer the following questions (Please note the maximum text/character length for your answers including spaces are shown in brackets below):

Preview of entry form questions:

1. What is the name of your application? Please note the name given here will be used in all awards publicity. (500 characters = approx 85 words)
2. Is this a joint entry, if so, who are the partnering organisations? (500 characters = approx 85 words)
3. Please indicate whether you are submitting a Web Application or a App to run on a mobile device. (500 characters = approx 85 words)
4. Please describe as simply as possible, the nature of the application and the user proposition i.e. how does it work, what need is it intended to fulfil? Please describe it as accurately as possible (500 characters = approx 85 words)
5. When was the application launched, and on which application store or website is it currently available? (500 characters = approx 85 words)
6. Please describe which Network APIs you access and from which operator or 3rd party you access them from? (1,500 characters = approx 250 words)
7. Please describe how you use Network APIs to make your app or web application innovative? (1,500 characters = approx 250 words)
8. Please describe how using Network APIs enables or improves your app or web application? (1,500 characters = approx 250 words)