Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Forum Nokia Calling All Innovators Bil3arabi contest all about?
Nokia Calling All Innovators Bil3arabi contest is a developer competition that challenges developers to create applications and services that will enhance the use of mobile devices in the Arab world in real-world scenarios:

We challenge mobile and web application developers to submit applications, widgets, mobile games or content of local Arab interest. This includes any content within Ovi Store content categories (Applications & Widgets, Video, Personalization, Games, Audio, Flash & Active idle widgets, Location based applications, Podcasts). All content types are welcome but suggested areas of focus include:

Internet Innovation – transforming 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 – building compelling applications that expand the capabilities and user benefits of Flash Lite on Nokia devices.
Mobile Games
Social Location

Learn more about the contest.

2. Who can participate in the contest?
The Nokia Calling All Innovators Bil3arabi contest is open to all mobile and web application developers worldwide. Nokia employees are not eligible to participate in this contest. Sorry.

3. How do I submit my application for the contest?
It’s very easy to participate in the Calling All Innovators Bil3arabi contest. First, read the requirements on the about the contest page. Then, click on Enter the contest and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to upload the content directly to Ovi Store in any of the Ovi Store content categories and then submit the content item number on-line. Preferred entry to the competition is though Ovi Store publishing. However, if you are not able to register as an Ovi publisher or the application cannot be uploaded to Ovi Store due to Symbian Signing or Java Verifying, the content can be submitted to the competition directly. Describe your solution, along with any supporting materials (such as a demo video, whitepaper, etc.) explaining your application and its relevance.

4. What are the important dates for the Forum Nokia Calling All Innovators contest?

Contest starts: 2 June 2009.
Submission deadline: Midnight (GMT+4) on November 15th 2009
Announcement of winners: 7 December 2009.

5. What are the prizes for the contest?
The total cash and prizes for the 2009 Nokia Calling All Innovators Bil3arabi contest are worth more than $125,000. The top submissions will receive a cash award, and prizes that include "Spotlight" placement featuring the winning application on Nokia's newly announced Ovi Store, where consumers will find the best mobile applications and content for their Nokia devices. The Grand Prize winner will also receive paid travel to demo the winning application at a Nokia-specified event.

Judge’s Choice Award:
The top 10 submissions will receive the "Judge’s Choice Award", which provides a one-year membership in Forum Nokia Launchpad (value of 300 euros). All Forum Nokia Launchpad members receive access to exclusive resources and support. It is designed to accelerate mobile application development and elevate developer’s business visibility in the mobile world. Get more information about Forum Nokia Launchpad.

More detailed information about the prizes can be found on the Judging and Awards page.

6. How will you evaluate the mobile applications and services submitted to the contest?
A panel of judges will review all of the contest entries, and choose the finalists and winners according to the following criteria:

Quality / Functionality: the application or service must be fully functional and run successfully on Nokia devices and platforms (S60 and/or Series 40).
Uniqueness, novelty value and innovativeness: display creativity in applications, use established technology in a unique way.
Usability / Creativity: leverage latest technologies to demonstrate superior design and ease of use (UI, graphics, etc.)
Arabic/local relevancy: ability to fulfill users' needs, customer adoption.

7. Who decides who will receive the prizes?
The winners will be selected by a panel of Nokia judges, based on the criteria of creativity and innovativeness; ease of use and design; quality and functionality; and commercial viability and market potential. For more information, see the details about Judging and Awards.

8. Which tools should I use to create applications, widgets, or services, and where can I get them?
You can find tools, documentation, training and much more at the Forum Nokia web site. It's free to join, and when you register as a member, you can make the most of Nokia's extensive development, testing, signing, go to market, and community resources.

Forum Nokia provides everything you need to get started with developing applications, content, or services for Nokia devices.

To create widgets and mobile web services, check out the web technologies tools and documentation.

To get started with Flash Lite, please explore Forum Nokia’s Flash Lite section.

Forum Nokia also provides several tools, documents, code and examples to help develop applications for the Series 40 platform and for the S60 platform.

To develop in the area of Social Location, please visit Forum Nokia’s Ovi pages.

9. Can I submit more than one application to the contest?
Yes, as many as you like.