Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Location Innovation Awards?
A: The Location Innovation Awards is a competition for developers to create LBS applications to work in a New Zealand specific environment on a variety of different devices. The awards, sponsored by GeoSmart, are about bringing the future forward. Without the competition, these types of applications might take 4 or 5 years to arrive.
Q: Who is GeoSmart?
A: GeoSmart ,the main sponsor for the Location Innovation Awards, is the premier mapping provider for New Zealand. GeoSmart is the leading supplier for car navigation, fleet management, cartography, web mapping API's and route optimisation. GeoSmart is a wholly owned subsidiary of the New Zealand Automobile Association since 2007.
Q: What is LBS?
A: LBS Stands for Location Based Services and applies to applications focussed on location. They are typically applications that run on mobile phones or other portable devices, with a focus on knowing where the device is and being able to provide information and things to do based on the location you are in, or locations you might want to go to or have an interest in.
Q: How do I enter the competition?
A: Register at www.locationinnovation.co.nz with the online form to receive Developer Guidelines and a GeoSmart Location Innovation Developer license. You can enter the competition as a team, business or individual; however there will only be one grand prize per entry.
Q: Can I enter more than one category?
A: No, although there are four categories, you must choose the category most relevant to your application.
Q: Can I enter more than once?
A: Yes. If you have more than one product or solution idea, you can send in an entry for each one.
Q: Are there any compulsory elements required in my entry?
A: Yes, you must use at least one of the GeoSmart API’s or Web Services which you can find information about in your entry kit and on the GeoSmart Website.
Q: How do I access the GeoSmart API's? How do I get a Developers License?
A: You will receive a location Innovation Developers License once you have registered for the Awards. Once you have signed and returned the Developers License you will be granted access to GeoSmart's API's free of charge.
Q: Do I have to create the application?
A: No you do not have to create a fully working application, a full concept with thorough documentation is sufficient. Obviously if you have a working solution, you are proving that it can be done however entrants will not be disadvantaged by not creating a working prototype.
Q: What platform should I develop on?
A: The development platform is open to your choice. We have provided information for Sony Ericsson and Blackberry (which they have provided us) if you would like to create an application to work on those platforms. However it is your choice how and on what device the application will run on for example; mobile phone, PDA, Windows Mobile, Palm, Symbian, GPS Device, notebooks and PC's.
Q: Does it have to be a New Zealand based application?
A: Yes, the New Zealand element of is an important part of the awards. The Location Innovation Awards are about creating applications for New Zealanders by New Zealanders.
Q: What are the Prizes?
A: The overall Awards winner will enjoy a trip to San Jose to attend the Where 2.0 Conference May 19-21 2009, including flights, accommodation and registration fees. They will also have won one of the Category Awards. The winner of the Proximity-Based Marketing, Social Networking and LBS Games categories will receive a TomTom Go720 portable navigation device and a Sony Ericsson C702 GPS phone, The winner of the AA Maps widget will receive at TomTom Go720 portable navigation device and a ‘4 day Short break in New Zealand in a Maui Spirit 4 Motorhome’ including a Maui Premium Pack.
There will be a selection of spot prizes (for merit worthy entries that do not win a Category Award) including for each of the 3 best student entries (Blackberry Pearl 8110 Smartphone with GPS) and the best domestic tourism entry (Tomizone Enabled D-Link DIR-300 Wireless Modem/Router enabling them to set up their own Wireless Hot Spot). Other spot prizes will be announced over time.
Q: What is the Where 2.0 Conference?
A: The Where 2.0 Conference is the leading conference for location and LBS in the world it will be hosted in May 2009 in San Jose, California. Sponsors for the conference include Google, ESRI, Nokia, Microsoft Virtual Earth and Yahoo.
Q: Who do I contact if I have any queries?
A: Any questions or queries can be directed to info@geosmart.co.nz
Q: What if I need some technology help or to talk with other competitors?
A: There is a forum especially for the Location Innovation awards at Geekzone.
Q: Who are the judges?
A: The judges are a select group of industry professionals who have the expertise and experience to judge a competition of this type.
Q: How will I know if I'm a finalist?
A: Finalists will be contacted by email no later than Monday the 9th of March.
Q: How is my application going to be judged?
A: Your application will be judged on the following criteria:
- Executive summary 10%
- Appropriately and concisely answers the following questions
- What is the application?
- What device does it operate on?
- What is the purpose of the application?
- At what stage of development is the application?
- Appropriately and concisely answers the following questions
- Explanation of application 10%
- Explains the features, benefits, and use of the application.
- Describes how the location element is included in the device.
- Is the location element used effectively?
- NZ relevance 10%
- The application has a NZ flavour and applies specifically to the NZ market.
- Would New Zealanders use this application?
- Functionality 10%
- Explains the interface and design.
- Is the application intuitive to use?
- Does the application require minimal instructions?
- Is the application quick and easy to use?
- Innovation and uniqueness 20%
- How is the application unique?
- The application is unique and innovative i.e. that is different to any other application in NZ. Is there a similar application overseas?
- Target market 10%
- Is the target market clearly identified?
- Is relevance of this market demonstrated?
- Would the target market use this application?
- Does the application improve the lifestyle of the target market?
- Potential to generate revenue 20%
- Is this application commercially viable?
- How could this application generate revenue?
- What is the problem this application is solving? Does it solve that problem?
- Sustainability 10%
To maintain a certain state or condition indefinitely that will meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. - Does this application reduce carbon emissions?
- How does this application encourage behaviour that will?
- Does this application encourage social and/or behavioural change?
Q: How many semi-finalists will there be?
A: There will be three finalists per category, a winner of each category and an overall winner.
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