Wireless application developers, and in particular Symbian OS developers, will have some excellent educational and networking opportunities at the coming CTIA Wireless IT event taking place Sept 27-29 in San Francisco, CA. Special developer focused events have been organized by Navteq (LBS), Forum Nokia, and Sony Ericsson Developer World. Read on for details..

Global LBS Challenge - Third Annual Global Wireless LBS Challenge

Now in it's third year, the Navteq LBS Challenge will be co-located in 2 locations... North America and Europe. Dual contests are planned this year, one LBS Challenge winner being selected from North American developers, another being awarded at the 2006 3GSM event to honor excellence from a European-based developer.

The Global LBS Challenge – North America
http://www.lbschallenge.com/na/home.html

http://www.lbschallenge.com/eu/home.html

About the Annual Global LBS Challenge
A developer contest created to catalyze growth in the location-based services industry. The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge is now entering its third year, continuing to encourage developers to build location-enabled applications for wireless devices. The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge was first launched in North America in Fall 2003, focused on driving the development and visibility of innovative navigation solutions for wireless devices. This year’s challenge will offer developers the opportunity to submit applications in four categories: business applications, entertainment and leisure, navigation, and social networking. NAVTEQ’s decision to proceed with the contest for a third year stems from industry validation of the value the Challenge has created for the LBS industry overall.

This year, the one-of-a-kind contest gets even better. You'll compete for a grand prize of $50,000 in cash and $100,000 in NAVTEQ data licenses. Enter your application today in one of these four growing LBS categories:
- Business Applications (Asset Tracking / Field Services / Billing / Buying / Advertising)
- Entertainment & Leisure (Gaming / Location-based Imaging / Athletics / Travel)
- Navigation / POI Look-up / Traffic
- Social Networking (Peer to Peer / Find Me / Personal Security)

At the coming CTIA Wireless IT event:
Tuesday, September 27
2:00 pm — 4:00 pm
Open to all registered attendees

http://www.wirelessit.com/general/global_lbs.cfm

For information about the 2005 LBS Challenge see this article - 2005 Global LBS Challenge recognizes award winning mobile apps

The Sony Ericsson Developer Day

Sony Ericsson – Creating Applications with An Added Dimension; Developer Day spotlighting Java development

Sony Ericsson Developer World will be hosting a developer day aimed at Java Developers at CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2005. Ther Developer Day will focus on Java development and how the latest range of JSRs will affect the developer and the types of applications that be created. These latest JSR’s offer the knowledgeable developer improved scope to create innovative enterprise / productivity and gaming content, thereby also offering you more routes to a successful market.

The day's sessions will focus on the following topic areas:
Java productivity applications
Mobile TV, mobile music and imaging
Mobile Gaming
 
About Sony Ericsson Developer World

Sony Ericsson Developer World is a global support program and web portal totally dedicated to helping serious, wireless developers achieve business success by providing the documentation, tools, training, technical and go-to-market support they need in their development process. Sony Ericsson Developer World helps developers get on the fast track from mind to market, thereby ensuring that a constant stream of fun, useful and innovative content and applications is available for Sony Ericsson phones. www.SonyEricsson.com/developer 

Tuesday, September 27
11:00 am - 4:30 pm with lunch
Open to all registered attendees

See http://developer.sonyericsson.com/site/global/home/p_home.jsp

Forum.Nokia Developer Sessions at CTIA Wireless IT

Nokia's Strategy in Mobile Connected Gaming for Developers

With the building success of N-Gage and 250 million smart phones forecasted to be in the market by 2008, Nokia has a complete solution for any company entering the mobile games market.  Learn about Nokia's games strategy including the end to end modular solutions for Java mobile connected gaming and the next generation of mobile gaming on Series 60 smart phones.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Room 2024
Open to All Registered Attendees

See http://www.wirelessit.com/general/nokia.cfm

Nokia - Mobilize the Enterprise

Forum Nokia and Nokia Enterprise Solutions Seminar

The enterprise is ripe for wireless applications that can take the enterprise to the user, rather than the user to the enterprise. Make plans today to explore breakthrough opportunities with Forum Nokia developers and Nokia Enterprise Solutions experts.

This half-day seminar will outline strategies and solution roadmaps including the latest developments in email, security, and FFA/SFA solutions based on the powerful Nokia 9300 smartphone. Attendees will:
Learn about emerging solutions and how to capitalize on the opportunities

Hear case studies on wireless enterprise applications and determine their role in the markets’ expansions

Discuss opportunities with wireless operators and understand how/where to market ideas

Ask questions of a panel of experts to see where the market is heading

Learn about Forum Nokia, a global developer community that's creating lucrative business opportunities for developers worldwide.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room 2024
Open to All Registered Attendees

See http://www.wirelessit.com/general/nokia_mobilize.cfm

Games Mini-Conference

DAY ONE - September 27, 2005
Room 2004 — 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Of particular interest, there will be a special panel session on mobile gaming and game development.

This panel will discuss the platforms (J2ME, WGE, ExEn etc) and technologies (EVDO etc) that are expected to enhance the gaming experience and drive adoption, as well as the technical demands of multiplayer gaming, whether or not wireless handsets will have to provide a gaming experience closer to that of console games, and give a status update on the push toward 3D Graphics.

Time: Sep. 27, 2005 from 1:20 PM to 2:20 PM
Location: Room 2004

See http://www.wirelessit.com/general/educational_sessions.cfm#Mobile_Entertainment

More information about CTIA Wireless IT can be found at the event website - http://www.wirelessit.com/