Wanna make an app for the FCC? Here you go...

FYI - FCC is offering $100k to develop apps that get critical info out
to  underserved communities. FYI - again, do not reply to me re your
comments and questions re this; reply to the links/email addresses
listed. I'm just passin' along the info (though I'd love to work on
one of these).

ljr






>
>  Knight Foundation and FCC Announce New Apps Contest To Bring Local
> Information To Underserved Communities
>
> On April 14, in Oakland California, Chairman Genachowski announced
> that the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") is co-sponsoring
> a nationwide contest to develop software applications ("apps") that
> get personalized, actionable information to people least likely to
> take advantage of the digital revolution.  We wanted to reach out to
> you to let you know of this new FCC initiative.  Attached is a news
> release and Chairman Genachowski's prepared remarks.  We hope you
> will be able to share this with your network to get out the word
> about this contest.
>
> KNIGHT FOUNDATION AND FCC ANNOUNCE NEW APPS CONTEST TO BRING LOCAL
> INFORMATION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
>
> Washington, D.C. - In a new, nationwide contest announced today,
> communities and software developers will compete to develop software
> applications ("apps") that get personalized, actionable information
> to people least likely to take advantage of the digital revolution.
>
> The Apps for Communities Challenge is part of the FCC and the John
> S. and James L. Knight Foundation's efforts to foster digital
> inclusion and promote broadband adoption. Details are posted at
> Appsforcommunities.challenge.gov.
>
> Surrounded by Mayor Jean Quan of Oakland, Mayor Ed Lee of San
> Francisco and Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose, FCC Chairman Julius
> Genachowski announced the contest. "This challenge uses the power of
> broadband and the ingenuity of creative thinkers across America to
> help advance our country's broadband agenda," said Chairman
> Genachowski.  "I expect we'll see great new apps that use public
> data to help people all over the country seize the broadband
> revolution and improve their access to jobs, health care and
> educational opportunities."
>
> "In the digital age, access to the Internet is fundamental to
> democracy.  To the extent that a large portion of Americans have no
> broadband access, they can't fully participate in this society and
> they also can't become part of the demand that will drive further
> innovation.  We are proud to partner with the FCC in an effort to
> increase access to the Internet for all Americans and to entice them
> to actively use that access," said Alberto Ibarg|en, president and
> CEO of Knight Foundation.  He added, "Contests can promote
> innovation in all sorts of unexpected ways.  This particular
> challenge is designed to encourage and reward people for solving
> local problems through technology.  'Tech-for-engagement' is in its
> infancy but holds huge promise."
>
> The Apps for Communities Challenge seeks to take advantage of the
> local, public information coming online - on topics from education
> to health care, child care, government services and jobs - and make
> it easily accessible to the public. Contestants will be asked to
> turn that information into content, apps and services that expand
> people's choices on critical issues.  These apps could, for example,
> give people valuable information about their communities in an
> easily digestible graphic on their mobile devices; help seniors,
> immigrants, and others use tools such as Skype to communicate; allow
> consumers to choose a health care provider; or deliver contract and
> seasonal job post alerts in English and Spanish via text message.
>
> Knight Foundation is offering $100,000 dollars in prizes, with
> additional prizes awarded to the best apps that reach and engage
> traditionally underserved communities-people with disabilities,
> seniors, and those whose first language is not English.
>
> The Apps for Communities Challenge is posted on Challenge.gov, a new
> website and digital platform where entrepreneurs, innovators and
> citizen solvers can compete for prizes by providing novel solutions
> to problems large and small.  The challenge can be found
athttp://appsforcommunities.challenge.gov/
> .  Check out the FCC's blog also
athttp://beta.fcc.gov/blog/apps-communities
>
> The links below are to the New Release on Apps for Communities:
> http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305781A1.doc
> http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305781A1.pdf
> http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305781A1.txt
>
> The links below are to Chairman Genachowski Prepared Remarks for
> Apps for Communities Launch Event:
> http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305783A1.doc
> http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305783A1.pdf
> http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305783A1.txt
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