When you register for the challenge, you’ll automatically be signed up to receive updates regarding the challenge. Follow us on Twitter at @VariableInc.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the challenge?

Email margaret.matlock@variableinc.com or post a question to the discussion board.

What do I need to use to build my solution?

You’ll need at least one (1) NODE+ wireless sensor platform for smart devices and any applicable interchangeable sensor modules required for your mobile app submission. These will be given to applicable candidates who apply here.

Don’t forget that entries must include a mobile iOS or Android software component (see the official rules for complete details).

How do I get a NODE+ wireless sensor platform and any applicable interchangeable sensor modules?

View all our products that are available for hackathon integration on our website. We have a limited number of NODEs and sensor modules available for free for hackathon participants. Please apply here for the NODE+ and modules you will use for your app.

What APIs or datasets can I include in my solution?

You may use whatever APIs, SDKs, and datasets you choose, as long as you are authorized to use and distribute them.

Why do I have to upload a video?

The People’s Choice award is determined by public voting. A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your solution. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that captures the solution’s value and user interface.

What should I put in my video?

Aside from your actual solution, your submission video is one of the most important parts of your entry. In fact, it’s often one of the first, and sometimes only, things that judges and voters view. Make a great first impression by following these tips on what to include in your video:

Include a step-by-step demo. Demonstrate your solution’s key features by showing them functioning on an appropriate device. While audio isn’t required, narration or text bubbles can help judges and voters understand your solution.
Keep it simple. Per the official rules, your video shouldn’t be longer than five minutes. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
Don’t wait until the last minute to upload your video. Keep in mind that the time it takes to upload/process a video on YouTube or Vimeo varies greatly depending on the format of your original video, the file size, upload traffic and Internet connection speed, and could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or more.

Don’t know much about making videos? Check out these helpful screencasting tools.

Does my solution need to be publicly available or, if an app, submitted to an online store?

Your solution is not required to be publicly available. A commercial license is required in writing for any apps to be sold. Please contact us if you would like help with this process.

How can I provide Variable with access to test my solution?

You must provide a way for us to test your solution at no cost.

Solutions which include hardware and wearable technology:

If the submission runs on or includes proprietary hardware or hardware (including wearable technology) that is not widely available to the public, the Sponsor and/or Administrator reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to require the submitter to provide access to the physical hardware solution, or device required to test the solution, upon request.

Software only solutions: For software solutions running on widely available devices or hardware, please allow us to test using one of the following methods.

Android solution: Upload an .apk file in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your solution in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

iOS solution: If your solution is available on the solution store please provide a link in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form. If you charge for your solution, please also provide a promo code.

If your solution is not yet publicly available, send it to us via TestFlight. Enter our email address and UDID to share a build with us for testing. Our TestFlight account email is: share@variabletech.com.

Our UDIDs are:

iPhone 5c GSM (iOS 7.1.1) 3875edfb5019d8f2a4fe84fd123b5f4537d2a513
iPad 4 Wi-Fi (iOS 7.1.1) a4ac745a1d9f52fa712ea88037cf7577791a8fa0

Who is eligible to enter the competition?

Unless otherwise stated in the award description, this competition is open to everyone over the age of 18. Under the age of 18 requires a parent or guardian permission letter to be enclosed with each entry.

We are an organization. Can we enter?

Yes.

Do the solutions have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting solutions?

Both new and existing solutions are eligible for this challenge. No specific API, SDK, or data integration is required. If you are submitting an existing solution (developed prior to this competition), it must include new features/functionality added after the start of the submission period which integrate the NODE and any applicable modules with the app. Participants entering existing solutions will be required to explain their new features in the submission form.

Can more than one person work on a solution and receive credit for it? And if the solution wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?

Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals or an organization is selected as an award winner, the full prize amount will be sent to the submitter. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money between the team members, as they deem it appropriate.

Can my entry win more than one prize?

Yes, an entry may also win (i) The People’s Choice Award, (ii) 48 Hour Integration Award, or the (iii) Best Female App Developer Award. Other awards are only eligible for one entry. Any participant may enter as many different mobile app entries as they would like.

Can I enter more than one solution?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person, team or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. However, if you submit two or more solutions that are identical or substantially similar, the Sponsor and ChallengePost reserve the right to disqualify all the submissions or require you to choose one submission to enter into the competition.

Do I retain intellectual property ownership?

Yes. By submitting a solution to the challenge, you do not transfer any intellectual property rights to the Sponsor or ChallengePost. The Sponsor and ChallengePost will have the right to feature all solution entered in the competition for promotional purposes. See the Official Rules. for details.

What will you do with my submission?

The Sponsor and ChallengePost will have the right to publicly display your submission on the challenge website. They will also be allowed to publicize your name on the challenge website in connection with the submission and the challenge during the competition and for 36 months after its conclusion. The Sponsor will also by request include you in their public relations efforts. For more information on publicity rights, please see the Official Rules.

How does public voting work?

Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like but no more than once for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine the People’s Choice award winner. Have more questions about public voting? Check out our handy public voting help article.