An EU funded project to create an open source cross-device platform for mobile devices, TVs and automobile development is widening its net to bring more developers and companies on board. The Webinos (Secure Web Operating System Application Delivery Environment) project, which is sponsored by the European Union, in part by the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, has launched a new developer portal, developer.webinos.org, and an app challenge. The Webinos project is developing an open source platform for developing hardware and operating system-independent software components for use in devices such as mobile phones, desktop computers, TVs and vehicles.

The developer portal provides information about Webinos working with a car (simulator), Arduino micro controllers, Android phones, PCs with Linux and Smart TVs. It also provides quick access to documentation, forums, issue trackers, FAQs and other resources for developers. The new portal is accompanied by the launch of a competition in which entrants are required to create "cool and innovative" applications that use at least one Webinos API and two screens.

Applications for the Webinos App Challenge close on 24 September 2012. A panel of judges from companies involved in the project will select ten best entries. Finalists will be invited to the Mobile Monday event in Athens in October, where their applications will face a public vote. As well as publicity, prizes should be announced within the next two weeks.

A total of 30 research institutes, public organisations and businesses are members of the project, which has received €10 million in subsidies. They include the University of Oxford, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, BMW, Sony, Samsung and the W3C standardisation body. The project is being managed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems (FOKUS). EU co-funding is due to end in August 2013, after which the project will be funded by a foundation set up by the consortium last year.

See also:

Webinos: New consortium to deliver cross-device application platform, a report from The H.

(Harald M. Genauck / crve)