Over $50,000 in Cash and Prizes up for Grabs for Top Apps Created for AppRadio
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today officially announced it will host its first AppRadio Hackathon to promote the development of unique apps for the car to be compatible with AppRadio, the revolutionary in-dash technology that controls compatible apps directly from its touchscreen. The 69-hour AppRadio Hackathon event will be held at the upcoming 2012 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, starting on Tuesday, October 30 and ending on Friday, November 2. Pioneer is offering a prize pool of more than $50,000 in cash and prizes that will be awarded to the best apps developed in three categories during the 4-day event.
“We have taken the AppRadio platform introduced last year and expanded the technology into more products in our line. Our goal with the Hackathon is to continue to build on this momentum,” said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “To continue to push forward innovation in our industry, we chose the SEMA Show to bring together creative minds in the app developer community with aftermarket automotive exhibitors at the show.”
Pioneer has tasked app developers to work non-stop to create the next big app to work with Pioneer’s AppRadio. Developers of all types ranging from native, back-end and front-end developers and visual/UX designers to “idea people” are encouraged to sign up and participate. Backed by the SEMA organization, a special 4,000 square foot area in the South Hall, Upper Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center (booth #33000) is the arena for the premier Hackathon competition, giving participating developers entrance to the SEMA Show, which is not open to the public, and access to Pioneer staff, SEMA member exhibitors, top media, food and amenities.
Based on the popularity of app usage, Pioneer chose the following three categories for app development:
- Voice Interface Social Networking Automotive App – Concept for safe in-vehicle use of Social Networking Services (SNS) through a voice recognition and text-to-speech interface.
- Location-Based Services (LBS) App – Concept for geo-fenced or geo-tagged automotive related location based services (LBS).
- SEMA Member automotive accessory application – Concept that incorporates one or more SEMA Show 2012 exhibitor’s technology, products or services.
The SEMA Member automotive accessory app category encourages developers to interact with the hundreds of SEMA exhibitors to create an app for the exhibitor’s technology, product or service to integrate with Pioneer’s AppRadio technology.
Throughout the Hackathon, Pioneer will have staff available around-the-clock to answer developers’ questions. Coverage of the event, including developer interviews and giveaways, will be shared on the Pioneer Hackathon website (www.pioneerhackathon.com) to create an interactive and fun experience for participants and viewers.
The AppRadio Hackathon will conclude with the judging of app submissions the morning of Friday, November 2. Winners will be announced at an awards presentation at noon that day.
To register for free as an app developer and for full rules and requirements, visit AppRadio Hackathon, pioneerhackathon.com.
SEMA Exhibitors who are interested in having an app created for the SEMA Member automotive accessory application category, register here, www.semashow.com/pioneer-hackathon-mobile-app-interest-application.
