ICTworks by Inveneo

Are you wondering how to successfully develop mobile solutions for the largest market in the region, Kenya? Do you wonder which business models you should consider?

Then join Niti Bhan from Aalto University Design Factory in Finland for a workshop that will equip participants with the understanding on market segmentation at the bottom of the pyramid and how to develop services on the mobile platform for this space. We'll also discuss how to understand users, and the challenges of payment.

Register now! The cost is KSh. 200 per person.

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The company with the motto "Do no evil" obviously is going to have difficulties when in the second quarter of 2010 the Google Android smartphones sales passed the iPhone in worldwide sales. The Wall Street Journal reports that Oracle Corp. has sued Google Inc. for patent and copyright infringement, claiming the Android OS violates Oracle's Java copyrights. The suit makes it seem like Google's founder, former Sun chief technology officer, Eric Schmidt, and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison are enemies. Oracle became the owner of the company that made Java, Sun, in January 2010. The Android Smartphone as well as hundreds of other electronic devices use Java.

Seeking for damages in Oracle lawsuit

The WSJ says the Oracle lawsuit wants "unspecific damages and an injunction against 'continued acts of infringement' by Google." Sun generally would authorize use of these licenses, which is why every person assumed Google was allowed to use free open-source Java licenses, although Google hasn't officially responded to the public. There was no official Oracle/Google deal that was announced. Android phone shipments would stop along with developers being barred from creating applications for Android OS if an injunction against Google is granted by the California court.

Protecting intellectual property

While Sun's business practices centered on a healthy respect for open-source software and free exchange of ideas, Oracle "takes a lot more care in terms of guarding its IP, and Java is one of the crown jewels of the Sun acquisition," tech analyst Ray Wang told the Journal. Keeping its IP may be significant to Oracle because, as PC World suggests, it is trying to keep away from the U.S. government because of tax evasion that's been happening. Whatever the case, the company that was once considered a rival to Microsoft – a position it has clearly lost to Google – is now looking for the court system to generate revenue.

In an effort to get folks coding games that will run on netbooks, Intel ATOM Developer Program is sponsoring a Best Netbook Game Contest for netbook games created with either DarkBASIC Professional or Dark GDK, less than 250MB in their compressed state, not require an 'installer', and run at 1024 x 600 resolution.

While I cheer for the next Doom, here are the 4 categories. There will be one winner in the Best All Around Game Category and and 3 winners from the other categories.

1. Best all around netbook game: We are looking for either a unique or overall gaming value for a netbook.
2. Best graphics for a netbook: Looking for beautiful utility for a netbook game. Like a meandering garden path, it serves to get you from point A to point B, while pleasing the senses.
3. Best game play for netbook: Graphics or no graphics this category looks at the game play experience for netbook.
4. Standout Game Element: Perhaps it was the best explosion, death scene, sound effect, or unique use of zombie. This category wins by just doing something we could not help but like.

Now the prizes are interesting - 1st Prize is an all expenses paid vacation not to exceed US $5,000. Who knows to where. Int he categories, 1st Prize is US $1,000, visibility and recognition via a feature in the Intel Atom Developer Program Community and Campaign as well as the TGC community.

If you want to enter, you best be quick: deadline is October 3, 2010.

From July 1st to August 31st, Apps < 4 > Africa. welcomes citizens to submit ideas that technology can help solve, and challenge technologists to build tools that lead to a better world. The top applications will receive cash, cool gadgets, and the chance to hob-nob with our judges panel of technology and civil society luminaries.

To ensure that great ideas become great apps, around the week of August 21st (exact dates forthcoming) we will hold a series of hack-a-thons throughout the region. These day long events will give technologist an opportunity to build, tweek and submit their best apps.

Remember, submissions must take place before August 31st to be considered for 15,000 USD in cash and prizes, as well as the chance to meet leading tech and civil society luminaries at an awards ceremony in September.

Check out the Idea Board and the Collabo Page for inspiration and contacts. We hope you join us!

Google is hosting developer and tech days across Africa with two exciting events, G-Uganda and G-Kenya, taking place early this September.

These web and mobile themed conferences will focus on Google’s developer and business technologies from Chrome Extensions and App Engine, to mobile and AdWords. Attendees will have the chance to explore Google’s open source technologies through a combination of tech talks, breakout sessions and codelabs run by engineers and business teams from across the globe.

G-Uganda will be held on September 1st - 2nd at the Speke Conference Centre just outside of Kampala. Closely on its heels, G-Kenya is running September 6th - 8th at Strathmore University in Nairobi.

More info at Google developer and tech days coming to Kenya and Uganda