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We’ve know for a while that that apps are the key driver in the mobile industry today, driving the demand for devices and network time.  The big players in the industry recognize that too, so are constantly on the lookout for new mobile applications that meet the requirements and imagination of their customers.

There are a variety of entry points to get you and your app noticed, including the AT&T Open Call Contest whose deadline for entry is Tuesday, March 8, 2011.  Get your app in now so you don’t miss out on this opportunity.  

Here’s why we like this contest. Not only is it a great way to get noticed in front of the right decision makers at AT&T, they and some of their partners who participate in the judging (I was a judge last year and will be  again this year), offer alot of advice and connections.  So even just getting a judging/pitch time is a big win!  There are over 100 spots open – so lots of opportunity!

We had an opportunity to speak with Andrea Morton the...

If you've been to any of our WIPJams or met us at another event, you've probably seen The Mobile Developer's Guide to the Galaxy. It's a great little booklet we put together with the kind folks at Enough Software that covers the basics of many facets of mobile development. The new, bumper 7th edition is out today and available for download or for in-person pickup at the Enough Software stand at MWC (7D62) or on Thursday at the Jam in App Planet ADC1.

It's been fully updated, and a bunch of new chapters have been added, so it now covers:

• an overview of mobile platforms
• Android
• BlackBerry
• Flash
• iPhone
• Java ME
• Symbian
• webOS
• Windows Phone 7
• Mobile Widgets
• Accessible Apps
• Cross-Platform Tools
• Mobile Web Sites
• Rich Media
• LBS
• Testing
• and more!

I'm on my way to Barcelona -- in an airport lounge as I type! -- and I've got our final MWC preview piece from our great sponsors at Navteq. They'll be at the Party and Jam next week, so be sure to chat with them if you want to learn more about their App Warehouse and advertising solutions, and how they can help create revenue with your location-based app.

WIP: Hi, tell us a little about yourself and what you do at Navteq.

CC: My name is Christina Claure and I am the Developer Relations Manager for the NAVTEQ Network for Developers  (NN4D) (http://nn4d.com )  and I am responsible for NAVTEQ's App Warehouse.   I am based in our Sunnyvale, CA office. 

WIP: Navteq recently launched the App Warehouse, an online catalog that developers can use to get their apps in front of Navteq's customers and partners. What's the goal of the App Warehouse and what led to its creation? 

CC: At its core, the goal of the App Warehouse is really about connection and discovery.  Our goal is -...

Our final post introducing the Storytellers at our Jam next week in Barcelona comes from Lars Hard of ExpertMaker. The company -- like many startups -- faced some questions about its business model and had to make a choice between quick cash and sacrificing its long-term vision. I'll let Lars tell the rest of the story...

WIP: Hi, tell us a little about yourself and your company.

LH: ExpertMaker is a search technology company. Our goal is to make knowledge searchable. We do that by offering a number of different Artificial Intelligence technologies that we have packaged into an easy to use tool. We are now offering this technology to developers so that they can build their own micro search solutions offering high precision search, personal recommendations and advice and even diagnosis.

WIP: Your story is about some of the challenges you faced in balancing your long-term vision for ExpertMaker with short-term revenue opportunities. Can you tell us how this situation...

Today we have another MWC preview post from one of our Developer Advisory Board members, Derrick Fountain, from W3i. 

WIP: Hi, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you and your company do.

DF: My name is Derrick Fountain.  I’m the Product Manager for the W3i Ad-Funded Payment Platform and Apperang product.  The first is a monetization solution for freemium iOS games that have in-app purchase capability, allowing gamers to earn virtual currency for installing apps being promoted by our advertising partners.  The second product, Apperang, is a similar model, except we incentivize users with real cash instead of virtual currency for installing recommended apps.  The Apperang iOS app was approved a week ago, and we are wrapping up the first update in preparation for a big market launch in the coming weeks that will include both an iPad and iPhone/iPod touch versions to augment the existing website version.

Prior to W3i, I was the Product Manager at Internet Broadcasting,...

Have you checked out the Developer News section on our new site? In it, we collate news from all over the web that's relevant for mobile developers. One of our major content partners there is FierceDeveloper, a newsletter and site chock full of developer news. Here to share his thoughts on what to expect from MWC is its editor, Jason Ankeny.

WIP: Hi, tell us a little bit about yourself and your site.

JA: I edit two FierceMarkets publications: FierceMobileContent, a daily newsletter devoted to digital media, mobile consumer services and the application ecosystem, along with FierceDeveloper, a weekly publication spotlighting the opportunities and challenges facing the mobile software developer community. FierceMobileContent now totals more than 30,000 e-mail subscribers, and FierceDeveloper surpasses 29,000 subscribers.

WIP: What are the big stories you'll be watching for this year at MWC?

JA: I expect Android’s growth to dominate headlines and conversation, but I’m most...

We are really pleased to be working with BlueVia, the developer program from Telefonica, as one of our first WIP members, so they'll be supporting our activities throughout the year. They'll be at our MWC activities, and are even bringing a special BlueVia cocktail to the party! Here to tell us a little bit about what they're up to and some of the APIs they're releasing is James Parton.

WIP: Hi, please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do at BlueVia.

JP: I'm James Parton and I'm responsible for Developer Marketing at Telefonica. My job is to build momentum for BlueVia and form the right partnerships across the industry to help achieve this. When I get some spare time I'm an obsessive Oakland Raiders fan,  PC Gamer and huge music fan –hopefully if I haven't downed too many BlueVia cocktails I will be playing at the WIPJam party at Mobile World Congress!

WIP: BlueVia and many other operator developer programs are rolling out network APIs for...

When I laid out the invites for mobile media personalities I wanted to invite to write MWC preview posts for us, Rafe Blandford from All About Symbian was at the top of my list. Not because he's a great friend of mine, but because this is such an interesting time for the Symbian/Nokia world and I knew that Rafe -- as always -- would have some great insight to share. Needless to say, he didn't disappoint!

WIP: Hi, tell us a little bit about yourself and your site.

RB: I'm Rafe Blandford, I'm the founder and editor of All About Symbian and All About MeeGo. These are sites which provide news and analysis to a consumer and developer audience about the respective mobile platforms. In practise this means closely following what Nokia is doing in the mobile industry. While do aim to be as comprehensive as possible, our primary concern is to provide well informed and high quality content.

WIP: What are the big stories you'll be watching for this year at MWC?

I always follow the...

The WIPJam@MWC next Thursday will feature something new for us: a Guinness World Record attempt! We are excited to welcome the Blinkendroid crew from Germany along to the jam, and during lunch, we are going to try and break the record they set for "Largest animated mobile phone mosaic" at the Google Developer Day in Munich in November. If you aren't familiar with Blinkendroid, it's some cool Android software that makes devices aware of their neighbors -- and then able to act as one giant screen for animations. Here's some video of their world record:

Definitely very cool stuff! To break the record, we need at least 73 Android devices -- but let's shoot for 100. All you need to take part is an Android device running v1.6 or better; we'll have Wi-Fi in the room to handle the data. You can go ahead and download the app from the Android Market now, or grab it on site. Either way, if you have an Android phone, join in the fun and become part of a Guinness World Record!...