RIM's BlackBerry 10 Apps Challenge is now live

Research in Motion (RIM) has announced the BlackBerry 10 Apps Challenge: a free contest by RIM India and Devworx aimed at giving developers a chance to flaunt the best of their app ideas for BlackBerry 10 and win prizes. In its official statement, RIM claims that this is one of the best opportunities for amateur and professional developers to develop their own apps for BlackBerry 10, and also get their app seen and downloaded through the BlackBerry World by users from across the world.

BB 10 Apps Challenge now live

Those who want to participate in the contest should follow the following steps - 

• Users will have to register for the contest. For that they will have to click here
• Download the tools and SDK
• Port/Develop your app
• Register as a vendor on BlackBerry World
• Submit your app(s) to BlackBerry World
• Notify Devworx when the app is published

The winners would be rewarded with the following:

• 2 apps: Gift voucher worth Rs 1,200 +3 month’s Digit Subscription (from devworx)
• 3-4 apps: Gift voucher worth Rs 2,500 + Cowon Earphone (from devworx)
• 5-9 apps: One (1) BlackBerry PlayBook tablet
• 10 or more apps: One BlackBerry PlayBook and one BlackBerry Developer Alpha prototype device. 

The contest is now open for all who are ready to unleash their expertise in app development on BlackBerry 10. There is no registration fee. The contest ends on January 21, 2013. 

There have been a lot of rumours going around about RIM's upcoming OS. The Canada-based company has started sending out invitations for the launch events of BlackBerry 10, which will be held on January 30, 2013. The launch events will be held in cities around the world, including New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Johannesburg and Dubai. A forum member at CrackBerry recently revealed a range of screenshots, thereby giving a glimpse of the upcoming BlackBerry 10 operating system from RIM. 

The first official image of a BlackBerry 10 device, named Z10 had made its appearance a few days ago. In the leaked press shot, we could see what was previously known as the BlackBerry 10 L-Series handset now being marketed as ‘The New BlackBerry Z10.’ The picture showed the handset in both colours it is expected to be launched in – black and white.

The report associated with the image stated, “According to the marketing material pictured below, obtained by a reliable source, RIM is jettisoning the traditional four-digit model numbers in favour of a shorter, catchier nomenclature; the full-touch device, currently known by its “L-series” designation, should come to market as the BlackBerry Z10, in both black and white."

Apart from this touchscreen device, Research in Motion will be announcing a full QWERTY device branded as the BlackBerry X10.