Google Picks Winners From Final Round Of Android Developer Challenge

To drum up support for its operating system that won't be available for sale until later this year, Google ( NSDQ: GOOG) concocted the Android Developer Challenge, which encourages developers to create applications for cash awards. In the first round that ended April 14, 50 of the most promising entries received $25,000 to fund further development. Today, Google announced the 20 finalists, of which 10 will receive the top award of $275,000, and 10 will receive the lesser award of $100,000. Yesterday, Google confirmed it will launch a beta version of Android Market to provide a way for developers to distribute their applications.

There's a list of all the finalists here, but here's highlights from the winners:

$275,000 Award winners:

-- cab4me: the application helps you easily call a cab from any location worldwide, without having to know the phone number. The app also provides you with your current location.

-- GoCart: Let's you compare prices by taking a picture of a barcode. It recommends online prices and stores nearby.

-- Ecorio: The app tracks your carbon footprint, and suggests transit and carpooling alternatives to help you offset your trips.

-- TuneWiki: Is a "social media player" that lets you synchronize lyrics for audio or video. It also shows music maps, which displays songs playing in the same area.

$100,000 Award Winners:

-- BreadCrumbz: The navigation tool shows you real pictures of your route as you follow directions.

-- Maverick: This is a Google Talk compatible instant messenger and a Google Blogger publishing tool for Android.

-- Rayfarla: Play music-based games and make music with your phone using virtual musical instruments.

-- Teradesk e-Storage: This on the practical side of things. Teradeks is a virtual storage and remote file access app allowing people to keep their files in the cloud and make them accessible anywhere.

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