(EMAILWIRE.COM, June 07, 2001 ) How do you top giving away a BMW Z3 Roadster? Give away a trip in a MiG-25 Foxbat to 82,000 feet! That's exactly what Espial, creator of software that powers the world of smart devices, did at a local area San Francisco club. One talented Java developer walked away with the trip of a lifetime as a reward for excellence in Java application development for smart Internet devices. It was all part of the second Smart Device Application contest established by devicetop.com, an industry-sponsored online community for developers of Java-based applications for smart Internet devices. The lucky winner was Gene Myers, a software developer from London, England for his ExZam application, an interactive testing service for interactive digital TV (iDTV). This application can be used at home for periodic homework and tests or at testing centers as a standalone application for more secured and monitored evaluations. Recent articles in many IT and educational publications have noted the importance and demand of electronic learning and testing applications. "Picking a winner was tough as many high caliber applications were submitted to the second devicetop.com contest," said Jill Meloche, Web Marketing Manager for devicetop.com. "As a result of the two Smart Device Application Contests, a catalog of over 100 applications is available at devicetop.com. These applications are important to device manufacturers and service providers who are interested in buying or licensing them to offer as value-added services to their customers." In this second contest, developers had the choice to create an application for either iDTV or automotive infotainment systems. Analysts estimate that by 2004, over 252 million homes worldwide will have iDTV, and this audience will account for over $7 billion worth of e-commerce in the US alone. "We chose the iDTV segment based on these analyst numbers and on what we have seen with our own customers," says Meloche. "We also decided to focus on automotive infotainment systems since we see this market really taking off in the longer term and we want our developers' applications to help fuel this market." The second place winner was Robert Laganiere of Ottawa, Canada for his ThirdEye security system application for an automotive infotainment system. John Mourra of Toronto, Canada, won third place for his MP3 Anywhere Wireless Music Sharing application. A total prize pool valued at over $40,000 US was awarded to the winners. Gene Myers received an all-expense-paid trip for two to Moscow, Russia, 5 nights stay at a downtown luxury hotel, a flight aboard the legendary MiG-25 Foxbat to 82,000 ft, and 100,000 Rubles in spending money. Robert Laganiere won a trip to Russia to float in true weightlessness in a zero-G flight, and John Mourra won a trip for two to Moscow and a grand tour of the Russian Space Center. About Devicetop.com Devicetop.com is an industry-sponsored online community for developers of Java-based applications for smart Internet devices, offering its 4000 members news and industry information, discussion forums, technical tutorials, and free software development tools. The site also provides a global marketing venue to showcase application services to leading consumer electronics manufacturers, service providers and network operators. Devicetop.com was initiated by Espial, with founding sponsors including Sun, Intel, Motorola, Amiga, Tao Group, PointBase, Dr. Dobb's Journal, Java Report, JavaWorld and Java Developer's Journal. About Espial Espial is the first to provide a comprehensive approach to the development of open software for the next generation Internet - The Pervasive Internet. Partners and customers such as Intel, Motorola, NEC, Philips, National Semiconductor and Sun are helping Espial to realize its Pervasive Internet vision, where billions of users access highly personalized information through a variety of smart Internet devices. Completely portable across any platform, Espial software allows customers to quickly create services, deliver devices and manage infrastructure. The technology applies universally, across such sectors as Internet Appliances, TV, wireless, and automotive. Visit www.espial.com. --------------- Produced for Espial Contact:Angie LynchDirector, Public Relations613.230.4770 x1110 (main)613.799.9432 (mobile)alynch@espial.com---------------

Contact Information:
Espial
Joseph Nchor
Tel:
Email us


This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.