Over 60 developers used the open source Nabu SDK to create apps for Razer’s new smartband
Nov. 21, 2014:
LONDON – Razer™, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, is pleased to announce the winners of the first Razer-sponsored hackathon, The HackFest at AppsWorld. The application developer conference is one of the leading events of its kind, with over 350 exhibitors and more than 12,000 professional attendees.
First shown at CES 2014, where it won the coveted Best of CES “People’s Choice” award over more than 40 other finalist products, the Nabu concluded its first open hackathon last week. Entries were invited from all areas of app-development, including fitness, gaming, connectivity and social applications to take advantage of the Razer Nabu’s unique features. After 36 hours of development, a judging panel made up of industry experts assessed each app before deciding on three winners. The prize pool consisted of four Razer Blade laptops for first place and a range of Razer peripherals for second and third places.
The brief for The HackFest was simple – create an app that uses the social features of the Razer Nabu which enhance the everyday life of the user. Ideas ranged from an augmented reality capture-the-flag-style game to a real-time travel app utilizing iBeacons. After development, each team presented their app to the judging panel.
Of the 21 teams that entered, 15 presented a functioning app by the end of the show.
“The HackFest was very successful in that it showed what the Nabu can do for any app developer out there,” says Mark Tay, Developer Relations Executive at Razer. “Many of the teams who entered are now in close contact with us to deliver a public-ready app to the masses. It’s an exciting prospect for us that ideas created at The HackFest will be enjoyed by Razer Nabu owners.”
First prize went to Gamers Everywhere, an app that uses Razer’s unique band-to-band wireless networking feature, Pulse, to locate gamers nearby and allow users to discover new gamers, see each other’s profiles and connect through a high-five gesture to exchange Steam contact details.
Second place was awarded to the real-time game New Frontier for a Razer Nabu app that lets users to take over real-world locations, create bases and defend them by using a high-five gesture, along with Pulse and Google Maps.
For more information on developing apps for the Razer Nabu and to gain developer access, visit http://developer.razerzone.com/nabu/
About Razer:
Razer™ is a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers.
Razer is transforming the way people play games, engage with other gamers and identify with the gamer lifestyle. Having won the coveted “Best of CES” award consecutively for four years, the company’s leadership in product innovation continues to create new categories for the gaming community that is estimated to have over 1 billion gamers worldwide.
Razer’s award-winning design and technology include an array of user interface and systems devices, voice-over IP for gamers and a cloud platform for customizing and enhancing gaming devices.
Founded in 2005, Razer is backed by IDG-Accel and Heliconia Capital Management (Heliconia), a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore investment company Temasek. For more information, visit http://www.razerzone.com/about-razer.