Popular Science is sponsoring a contest for the best user-developed applications, scripts, services, or hardware additions to Nokia's Linux-based N800 Internet Tablet. Contest winners and their entries will be featured in the magazine's May and June issues.

Founded in 1872, Popular Science claims a monthly circulation of about 1.5 million, putting it among the largest general interest magazines in the U.S. The publication changed hands last month, passing from publisher Time Warner to Bonnier Magazine Group.

Nokia's N800 Internet Tablet runs a Linux-based Tablet OS based largely on open-source software developed by the Nokia-sponsored Maemo Project. The N800 is Nokia's second-generation Linux tablet, after the original 770 Internet Tablet.

Comparison of the N800 (top) and 770 (below) tablets, front and rear
(Click each image to enlarge)

According to Nokia, judges in the Popular Science N800 contest will look for innovative ideas, such as:

• Desktop widgets that monitor blog comments, eBay auctions, or other personal online activities
• Using the Nokia N800 as a city guide
• Using the device to remotely control home security systems, HVAC, and lighting

Applications can run natively on the N800's Linux-based Tablet OS operating system. Alternatively, they can be server or network based, and utilized though the N800's in-built applications, such as the browser, email, chat, and RSS feed reader.

Two winners will be selected, and will have the opportunity to showcase their winning innovations in the May or June issue of Popular Science, Nokia says. Winning innovations may also be integrated into a future Nokia Internet Tablet products, “with the applications named for the challenge winners,” Nokia says.

“Exciting, new innovations are constantly developing in the open-source atmosphere and this Reader Challenge gives us an opportunity to spotlight these Web pioneers and bring to life some of their most exciting work,” said Ari Jaaksi, director of open source software at Nokia, in the contest's announcement. “Creating this contest with Popular Science is a natural opportunity for Nokia to continue to encourage an open developer forum for the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet and push the envelope on what can be done with the Internet when it is freed from a fixed location.”

Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science, added, “The majority of Popular Science readers are early adopters and DIYers, so this contest is the ultimate way for readers to be a part of the future of open source and internet tablet technology. The potential of having an application integrated into the Nokia N800 is an exciting proposition for any person interested in playing a role in developing groundbreaking technology.”

Deadline

The deadline for entry is Feb. 27 for the May issue, and Mar. 29 for the June issue. Additional details can be found on the magazine's website, here.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.