Google anounces $10m Android Developer Challenge

Google is turning on the focus on its Andriod Mobile Platform by announcing a $10 million developer challenge.

The award money will be distributed equally between two Android Developer Challenges:

• Android Developer Challenge I: We will accept submissions from January 2 through March 3, 2008
• Android Developer Challenge II: This part will launch after the first handsets built on the platform become available in the second half of 2008

In the Android Developer Challenge I, the 50 most promising entries received by March 3 will each receive a $25,000 award to fund further development. Those selected will then be eligible for even greater recognition via ten $275,000 awards and ten $100,000 awards.

The YouTube video below provides a preview of the platform and details of the developer challenge:

Read more reports on this at Mashable, and WebWare.

Do you see this as a direct threat to Sun’s Java Platform (J2ME) for handsets?