14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is offering no less than $101,000 worth of prizes for devices taking advantage of the company's .NET Micro Framework. Via Microsoft's Dare to Dream Different Challenge, developers leveraging the Micro version of the Redmond giant's .NET runtime environment will have a chance not only to win great prizes but also to breathe life into their dream devices.
“The .NET Micro Framework team are running a competition called the Dare to dream different challenge. Like most competitions there are a number of rounds, as follows: Round 1 - Submit your idea (October 8th - December 15th 2008); Round 2 - Create a working prototype (January 15th - March 31st 2009); Round 3 - Show your thing, doing its thing (April 15 - May 31st 2009) - includes prizes,” revealed Mike Hall, Microsoft Software Architect.
From October 8, 2008 to December 15, 2008, developers, by themselves or in teams of up to three people will be able to fill out the online entry form on Microsoft's Dare to Dream Different Challenge website. In this regard, Microsoft informed that it is accepting submissions even for devices that have already been built using the .NET Micro Framework.
Developers that have not actually built their dream device will be able to do so from January 15, 2009 to March 31, 2009. Microsoft will select only 100 semi-finalists who will receive free developer kits both hardware and software in order to put together their prototype. From April 15, 2009 to May 31, 2009, ten finalists from around the world will be able to demonstrate their dream devices for the chance of winning the Grand Prize.
Microsoft is offering only “one Grand Prize. A prize package consisting of the following items: $15,000 cash, awarded as a check from the Contest Administrator; five thousand (5000) .NET Micro Framework licenses; one .NET Micro Framework Porting Kit, 15 hours of free consulting time with the Microsoft business development team; and .NET Micro Framework preferred partner privileges for one year. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize: $38,000 USD”.