BOSTON -
- Windows Embedded re-brands successful Sparks will Fly developer competition to encourage creativity, innovation and ‘Fun and Games’ among embedded hobbyist and academic communities globally.
During an industry address yesterday at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Boston, Microsoft Corp. launched the embeddedSPARK 2010 Challenge, a new competition designed to foster creativity and innovation among the embedded hobbyist and academic communities globally. Based on the successful Sparks will Fly competition, the embeddedSPARK 2010 Challenge encourages contestants to demonstrate innovative thinking within the theme of “Fun and Games.” The program rewards those who are pioneering the next generation of specialized devices, letting them use the embeddedSPARK Challenge as a forum to showcase their skills on the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 platform.
(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
“Windows Embedded is excited to emphasize our commitment to the embedded market by introducing the embeddedSPARK 2010 Challenge and rewarding the innovation of the global academic, hobbyist and developer communities,” said Scott Davis, senior marketing manager for Windows Embedded at Microsoft. “Windows Embedded is committed to driving the specialized devices of the future, and the embeddedSPARK 2010 Challenge provides an excellent opportunity for embedded developers to showcase their skills. We are enthusiastic to see the innovation that will result from this contest.”
How the Contest Works
The embeddedSPARK 2010 Challenge is a three-round competition offering more than $20,000 (U.S.) in prizes. The contest officially began yesterday, Sept. 22, 2009, and will culminate in spring 2010 at ESC Silicon Valley (April 26-29), where the three finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to present their devices onstage during Microsoft’s industry address. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to vote for the winner and award the three finalists US$15,000, US$5,000 and US$1,000 respectively in prize money.
In Round 1, contestants will submit a one- to three-page entry at www.embeddedspark.com that details their original idea for the “Fun and Games” theme, which includes games, home entertainment and other fresh ideas for specialized devices that grab attention and bring smiles to the faces of users. The first round will close on Jan. 9, 2010, and the 75 contestants selected for Round 2 will be announced on Jan. 15. All Round 2 participants will receive a target development board, Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 and Visual Studio Professional Edition 2005 at no cost to help them develop their devices. Round 2 will close on April 2, and the three finalists will be announced on April 9.
Additional Details
The embeddedSPARK 2010 Challenge is open to people in all countries eligible to participate according to U.S. laws. The contest is open from noon EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, to 8 p.m. EDT on April 2, 2010. More details and full official rules can be found by visiting www.sparkcontest.com/Default.aspx.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Source: Microsoft Corp.
Jacob Grimm of Weber Shandwick, +1-212-445-8030, jgrimm at webershandwick.com, for Microsoft Corp. / NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx. / Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
Related Press Releases
Microsoft Willfully Infringed i4i Patent Permanent Injunction Against WordSeptember 14th, 2009 TORONTO -
- (i4i v Microsoft - Case Summary)
On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, the Honorable Leonard Davis issued a Final Judgment in i4i v. Microsoft Corporation.
AnyBizSoft Announces Release of the First PDF to Word Converter for Office 2010 and Windows 7September 12th, 2009 AnyBizSoft Studio, a blooming company focused on PDF solution, today announced the release of new PDF to Word Converter that can convert PDF to Word 2010 and operate smoothly in Windows 7 OS. So far it is the first PDF to Word Converter which supports both Word 2010 and Windows 7 worldwide.
Easily Use Office 2007 and Office 2010 Technical Preview with Addintools' Classic MenuAugust 3rd, 2009 HAINAN, China -
Addintools Technology Ltd. is delighted to announce the releases of Classic Menu for Office 2007 v4.50 and Classic Menu and Toolbar for Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview.
Pulse Joins the Microsoft Dynamics Inner CircleAugust 3rd, 2009 VENLO, The Netherlands - Pulse Automation Experts bv, the Dutch mother company of AXtension bv and Pulse Business Solutions bv, has joined the prestigious Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle. This recognition was awarded based on the outstanding sales achievement and innovation results booked by AXtension and Pulse Business Solutions, as well as their excellent customer service.
Microsoft Promotes Steven Sinofsky to President, Windows DivisionJuly 7th, 2009 REDMOND, Washington -
- Tami Reller to lead Windows Marketing and Finance. Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft Announces Imagine Cup 2009 Worldwide WinnersJuly 6th, 2009 CAIRO -
- Students address the United Nations Millennium Development Goals with innovative technology. After an intense competition among finalists chosen from a pool of more than 300,000 students from more than 100 countries and regions, Microsoft Corp.
Imagine Cup 2009 Kicks Off in CairoJuly 2nd, 2009 CAIRO -
- Global finals of the world's largest technology competition begin today in Egypt. Competition begins today in Cairo for 444 students from 124 countries and regions at the Imagine Cup 2009 Worldwide Finals.
7global Counted Among Top Finalists for the 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards in Hosting SolutionsJune 24th, 2009 LONDON - Today, 7global announced it has been selected as a 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards finalist in Hosting Solutions. Chris Bithell, 7global Managing Director, said:
"We are absolutely delighted to receive this award for the second year in a row.
Addintools Launches Classic Menu for MS Office 2007 V4.01aMay 6th, 2009 HAINAN, China - Addintools Technology LTD is delighted to announce the release of Classic Menu for MS Office 2007 V4.01a, an updated version for the popular tool that bridges the two different interfaces of Office 2003 and 2007. Classic Menu brings back the classic menus and toolbars of Office 2003 to help users enjoy the benefits of Office 2007 under a familiar environment.
WISeKey's Identity Semantics Suite Enables Pan-European eID Interoperability With Microsoft's Citizen Services PlatformApril 29th, 2009 GENEVA and REDMOND, Washington - WISeKey today announced its partnership with Microsoft to deploy its Identity Semantics Suite with Microsoft's Citizen Services Platform (CSP). The combination makes it easy for local, regional and national governments to deal with the complexity of identity systems and identity credentials that they are or will be required to accept as part of, for example, the European Services Directive (requiring a one-stop-shop treatment for businesses through electronic means).
Related News
Texas judge OKs patent judgment against Microsoft, tells it to stop selling Word in 60 daysAugust 13th, 2009 Microsoft ordered to pay $290M in patent rulingSEATTLE — A federal judge in Texas has ordered Microsoft Corp. to stop selling some versions of its Word software in the U.S.
Microsoft to invest in Gujarat's education sectorJanuary 14th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - Global software giant Microsoft will invest in training teachers in Gujarat and enhance the use of IT in the education sector. Microsoft India Pvt Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit this week.
Google, Microsoft chairmen share laugh together as battle for tech supremacy intensifiesJuly 9th, 2009 Google, Microsoft chairmen share laugh togetherSUN VALLEY, Idaho — The escalating tension between Google and Microsoft didn't prevent the companies' chairmen from sharing a moment of levity Thursday at an exclusive media conference in the Idaho mountains. As he headed out the door to lunch, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates paused to consider a question about Google's plans to develop a computer operating system that will rival Microsoft's Windows.
EU says it prefers Microsoft to provide several browsers with Windows instead of none at allJune 12th, 2009 EU: browser-free Windows gives no real choiceBRUSSELS — European Union regulators on Friday said Microsoft Corp. was offering less choice, not more, by vowing to sell the next version of Windows without the Internet Explorer browser in Europe to soothe EU antitrust concerns.
EU says Microsoft has offered concessions to settle Internet Explorer antitrust actionJuly 24th, 2009 EU: Microsoft trying to settle browser caseBRUSSELS — Microsoft Corp. will offer computer users a choice of Web browsers to ward off new European Union antitrust fines, EU regulators said Friday.
Senator wants US companies to fire foreign workers firstJanuary 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An influential senator has asked US companies to make efforts to fire foreign workers first while making lay-offs during the current economic downturn - a move that could affect thousands of Indian professionals. In a letter to Microsoft, which employs thousands of people through the H-1B visa programme, a majority of them Indians, senator Chuck Grassley urged the IT giant to make efforts to retain qualified American workers during its recently announced lay-offs.
Senator wants US companies to fire foreign workers firstJanuary 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An influential senator has asked US companies to make efforts to fire foreign workers first while making lay-offs during the current economic downturn - a move that could affect thousands of Indian professionals. In a letter to Microsoft, which employs thousands of people through the H-1B visa programme, a majority of them Indians, senator Chuck Grassley urged the IT giant to make efforts to retain qualified American workers during its recently announced lay-offs.
Police: 2 men made pipe bombs in northern NJ for 'kicks'; had led to evacuations, closed roadsJune 9th, 2009 Police: Men in NJ made bombs for 'kicks'WAYNE, N.J. — Police say they think three pipe bombs found in a northern New Jersey town were made for "kicks."
Wayne Police Sgt.
RI judge tosses $388 million patent infringement verdict against MicrosoftSeptember 30th, 2009 RI judge tosses patent verdict against MicrosoftSEATTLE — A federal judge in Rhode Island threw out a $388 million patent infringement jury verdict against Microsoft Corp., the latest move in a six-year legal skirmish. In April, a jury found that the world's largest software maker had infringed on a patent owned by Uniloc Inc.
Running of the bulls kicks off in Pamplona, Red Cross says 4 injured but no one goredJuly 7th, 2009 Running of the bulls kicks off in PamplonaPAMPLONA, Spain — Thrillseekers have sprinted through Pamplona in a swift and relatively clean start to the running of the bulls. Spanish Red Cross spokesman Jose Aldaba said no one was gored in Tuesday's run but four people were hospitalized with bumps or bruises.
