Breaking: Android Homecoming Developer Challenge Update!

An email from “Android Homecoming” hit my inbox with some big news! Early today, LazyTechGuys reported that all details surrounding the Android HC Developer Challenge were pulled from the site. This was disheartening for me because it is a reason I am going. Well fear not, the Developer Challenge is still on!

It seems that a number of developers wrote in asking to use a different facial recognition technology than server based Face.com’s SDK. Combine that with Google’s Eric Schmidt speaking out against server based facial recognition technology due to privacy concerns and you start to question whether this was a good idea or not. Well another company has stepped up to the challenge and offering a side facial recognition SDK, not server based. The email specifies that the company will be revealed later. Of course, the new SDK will be provider to the developers in a timely fashion so you can update your applications before Android Homecoming (September 23, 2011). For more on the exciting development, please click “Read More.”

No matter the results of the Developer Challenge, the new company may still endorse application to develop it further to reach its full potential. Therefore, even if you are not a winner, there is still a chance that you may still get the new companies approval and backing.

Here is the full email that was provided to us:

Dear Android Homecoming Developer Challenge Participant,

Thank you so much for your submission to the Android Homecoming Developer Challenge contest. Over the past few weeks we’ve been evaluating the entries into the contest along with the technology behind our current sponsor and their SDK.

As you are aware the Face.com sdk is a server based facial recognition technology.

When we originally announced the contest we received a number of emails from developers who said they would be more interested if we had used a different facial recognition partner.

On May 31, 2011 Google’s Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt, spoke out against server based facial recognition technology, with privacy being his underlying concern. The media partners and presenting sponsors of the Android Homecoming event became concerned with the position that Google is vocally taking in regards to server based mobile facial recognition technology.

Another major company in the facial recognition arena offers device side facial recognition sdk’s. We are currently finalizing the details to change over to that companies SDK’s and at that time the prize will increase dramatically. Those SDK’s will be given to you early next week and you will have plenty of time to rework or adjust your apps accordingly.

We are certain that once this partner is revealed all of you will be excited about the opportunity. In addition, on-site at the Android Homecoming event the developer relations team from this company will spend time with each of you and regardless of outcome of the contest may still elect to support your application for further development and distribution.

Trust me when I tell you that this is a very good thing. We will communicate more information with you early next week.

Thanks

Remember, there is still time to register for Android Homecoming. Tickets are $18 and it will be located in Mountain View, California. Getting there and staying is up to you, but they are offering two buses for mid-west folks in certain location to buy tickets to be transported to Mountain View. For more details and how to register click here.