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Sensis’ Android V iOS Hackathon - $10k prize up for grabs

November 07, 2011

To celebrate the launch of the Sensis API (SAPI), a powerful tool for developers and creative minds to search for and publish content from the Yellow Pages and White Pages, Sensis is hosting a SAPI Android V iOS Hackathon on 19 and 20 November at the newly refurbished York Butter Factory, Melbourne.

Android and iOS developers are invited to register for the SAPI Android V iOS Hackathon (http://sapihackmelb.eventbrite.com), for the opportunity to compete in teams to build the best minimum viable product (MVP) that uses (among other sources) SAPI. Both the Android and iOS platforms will be scored on the quality of all submissions and one overall winner will be declared.

As a means to spark creative inspiration, each team will be assigned a different business segment on the day, but other than that - the development tools, frameworks and functionality will be left entirely up to the participants. Participants will also be encouraged to mash-up SAPI with other APIs available in the market. 

Final applications must be presented in their entirety on 20 November and competitors are expected to demonstrate integration, innovation and quality in the build of their application and show how their concept makes the most of SAPI content and functionality.

The winning application must be useful and easy for consumers and business people to use. Aside from its ability to satisfy unrealised consumer needs, the application will also be assessed on its uniqueness and the robustness of its build.

There will be one major prize of $10k and one supplementary prize for the best new feature request. The winning team will receive two full days of support from the Sensis UX and Design team in order to help take the winning application to market, as well as promotional opportunities through the Sensis Developers Centre. The judges will be announced shortly and the judging criteria can be viewed here: http://sapihackmelb.eventbrite.com/

Tim Corr, Senior Product Manager at Sensis said, “We’re very excited to be celebrating the launch of SAPI by hosting the Sensis Hackathon. SAPI contains rich local search functionality and more than two million local business listings, providing a rich offering for developers.

“This is an unprecedented and experimental coding event for Sensis and we can’t wait to see the applications that come from the two day event. Fostering local innovation is a key benefit of launching SAPI, which is an integral part of our commitment to making sure our Yellow Pages and White Pages advertisers are found by more people across a range of new and emerging channels and devices. We look forward to working closely with the Australian developer community to guide its development,” he said.

The Hackathon will commence on Saturday 19 November 2011 at 9am and conclude on Sunday 20 November 2011 at 7pm. Aside from brief introductions, pitch preparation and presentations, the bulk of the two days will be given to competitors for coding and development. All coding developed by participants during the Hackathon will remain the intellectual property of the participants.

The team at Sensis also recognises the Hackathon as a great way to interact and engage with the developer community and receive real-time feedback on SAPI.

“Importantly we see this as an opportunity to hear from developers throughout the Hackathon based on their experience with SAPI. Key to the future of SAPI is the direction and feedback provided to us from developers – so we’re also looking forward to that,” concluded Mr Corr.

The judging panel will assess the applications based on five criteria: depth of integration with the Sensis API, utility, user experience, level of innovation and build quality. The application should take advantage of the unique functionality and geo-location features offered by the Yellow Pages and White Pages business directories.

Teams of all sizes are welcomed to compete but numbers are limited and each team is required to register. The number of team members working on the application will be taken into account during the judging process. 

Register for the Hackathon by 14 November 2011. To register for the event please visit: http://sapihackmelb.eventbrite.com/ or alternatively contact Jason Cormier on Jason.Cormier@sensis.com.au.