[Updated 9:30 am PDT] While this is not Embedded Linux specific, a cool contest from Sony and Ericsson invites developers to 'turn code into cash.' The announcement and details follow . . .

Sony Ericsson and Metrowerks are challenging wireless application developers to create a killer application for the P800 Smartphone — and they will make it famous. Sony Ericsson's 'application proclamation' is an opportunity to have your application distributed as part of the P800 Smartphone launch later this year. And you could double your chances by entering the Symbian developer challenge too . . .

Enabling applications and content for both professional and entertainment purposes is core to Sony Ericsson. Sony Ericsson Developer World is enabling and challenging developers around the world to create the coolest and most original software for the P800 Smartphone, and in turn provides them with exposure and real opportunity to make money out of their applications. The P800 is based on UIQ for Symbian OS, a pen-based reference design for mobile phones.

The 50 coolest winning applications will be highlighted within the Sony Ericsson P800 Smartphone launch campaign, and will be featured on Handango, the leading online marketplace for wireless applications. In addition, winners will receive a P800 Smartphone, Metrowerks CodeWarrior development tools, and registration of their application with the Sony Ericsson Developer World and Ericsson Mobility World programs.

You could double your chances of winning a prize by entering Symbian's applications development contest too. Symbian, AppForge, Orange, Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Vodafone have teamed up to launch a competition designed to stimulate the development of C++, Java, and MobileVB applications for Symbian OS phones. Winners will receive Symbian OS phones from Nokia and Sony Ericsson, travel vouchers and the opportunity to engage with all the Symbian partners organizing the contest to distribute and promote their applications or services.

Applications will be judged by Sony Ericsson engineering and product development teams on the basis of innovation, relevance, ease-of-use, and 'coolness factor'. The winning 50 applications will be announced December 1, 2002.

Details and links are here.

Note: The following comment was received from a LinuxDevices.com reader, although we have not confirmed it with Sony Ericsson: “It should be noted that cost of entering this competition is $500.00 since you must join the developer program.” However, according to a published report at The Register, Ulf Wretling, of SonyEricsson, stated that “the UIQ SDK will within a few days be available free of charge, allowing . . . Linux developers to target the P800. Developers will need the Symbian 7.0 SDK too, but that's also free” . . .