Orange Poland are running a contest called OpenAPIHackathon dedicated to developers with innovative ideas to create new, compelling applications, system or services using Open Middleware Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), in partnership with Oracle and IQ Partners.  Open Middleware APIs (Orange Poland’s API platform) allow developers to access common technologies such as communications, government, bus&train schedules, traffic, weather, rental agencies, etc.  The full list of APIs is available here.  The contest is running in parallel with Geecon (focused on Java and Java Virtual Machine based technologies) which is in Krakow, and the OpenAPIHackathon is also part of that event.

Developers have the opportunity to combine, mix, and match service logic using data from many API sources to create new innovative applications and services.  Orange, along with its partners, invites all creative programmers to participate in the contest to create the next, new compelling application using Open Data, Web APIs, and Telco APIs.

Stage1: Collection of Abstracts – 11 April, 2013 through 03 June, 2013

Orange will collect the abstracts for next new innovative solution using OpenMiddleware APIs.  The abstract should include at least one Telco API described in this list.  Developers can also use any API available on the internet.  Please register by sending the Abstract via e-mail to openapihackathon@orange.com.  Registration forms are available here.

Stage 2: Implementation and Selection – 15 June, 2013 through 25 June, 2013

The best abstracts will be chosen from the stage 1 registrations and will be announced on the contest’s  website.  The abstracts will be chosen by the judging panel based on Terms and Conditions.  The qualified abstracts will be notified by email.

The e-mail will include:

• Access to the platform with APIs (login and password)
• Details of phone numbers and SIM cards (no more than 2) into the Orange network, for the application
• Request to acknowledge the terms and conditions for Stage 2
• Additional information request such as members of team, team leader, etc.
• If you are not from Poland, (after confirmation of necessity of using Orange SIM cards), we will send you registered cards.

Developers then send the prototype with documentation, description of functionality (text or film), optionally source code and instruction should be sent via e-mail address: openapihackathon@orange.com or to load on server which will be described by the 15th of June.

Stage 3.  Final Awards will be announced at the close of the competition, on 28 June, 2013. 

The winning application will be judged and awarded as defined in the terms and conditions.  The prizes include:

• Grand Prize: invitation for one to Java One Conference 2013 (Vacation to San Francisco!)
• First Place: summer internships in Orange Labs for 3 participants

Its great for students and those not based in Poland as it runs virtually, so no travel hassles.  The APIs cover capabilities such as communications, government, bus&train schedules, traffic, weather, rental agencies, etc.  And shows the important role operators can play in their local markets with respect to APIs.