AT&T and One Economy are
offering $50,000 in prizes to developers who design
apps that help families find jobs, get healthy, improve
education, and build financial security.
Categories include Jobs, Health, Education and Banking. The
grand prize winner will receive $10,000. Apps on
any operating system will be accepted. The public can vote for a popular-choice winner on the website.
According to a Pew Research Center report, low-income households
often access the Internet on mobile phones and devices instead of home
Internet connections. Those without computers and high-speed in-home Internet are disproportionately people of color. 87% of African Americans
and Latinos own smart or feature phones and are more likely to take
advantage of a wide array of phone data functions. Low-Income households can get free cell phones in some states, but they are basic models - not high-end smartphones.
The contest began on March 14
and will run through May 16, 2011.
Participants can enter the contest and view
details about the rules at www.applicationsforgood.org.