Great Example of Long Tail Outside Innovation: NYCity Apps

A great example of niche applications are those that are specific to a location/place/set of citizens or visitors. Whether your interest is better living, tourism, government transparency, or good citizenship, the chances are that you'll find a great set of applications springing up around any locality. New York City wanted to create a buzz and to spawn innovation. So in October, they announced a New York City Application contest. You can check out the entries here: NY City Apps Contest Entries. Judging closes on January 7th.

I love the way that new applications are popping up for some many devices and for so many different niche purposes! It just goes to show how many people there are with creativity and ideas who, when given reasonable tools and a nudge, will invest their time and creativity into developing something useful and sharing it with the world.

Sometimes these creations are catalyzed by a contest. That's what Mayor Bloomberg did when he announced the New York City Application Contest in October, 2009, along with a panel of prominent judges:

• Dawn Barber (NY Tech Meetup)
• John Borthwick (Betaworks)
• Jason Calacanis (Mahalo)
• Paul Cosgrave (NYC Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications)*
• Esther Dyson (EDventure)
• Lawrence Lenihan (FirstMark Capital)
• Kevin Ryan (Gilt Groupe)
• Danny Schultz (DFJ Gotham Ventures)
• Fred Wilson (Union Square Ventures)

to award $20,000 in prizes in the following categories:

• Best Overall Application
  • Grand Prize: $5,000
  • Second Prize: $2,500
  • Third Prize: $1,000
  • Honorable Mention (5 awards): $500
  
  
• Investor's Choice Award
  • Grand Prize: $2,500
  
  
• Data Visualization Award
  • Grand Prize: $2,500
  
  
• City Talent Award
  
• Popular Choice Award
  • Grand Prize: $2,500
  • Second Prize: $1,500
  
  Take a look for yourself -- you can vote on the Popular Choice award. NY City Apps Contest Entries

Besides Contests, Why Else to People Create Apps for Others to Use?

Sometimes these creations are self-serving. You develop an app because YOU need it/want it and then share it with others by publishing it.

Sometimes these creations are self-promotional. You have a business or a product you want to promote. You develop an app to show it off.

Sometimes these creations are just for fun. You want to learn how to do something new, e.g. develop an iPhone or an Android app or a Widget, so you try something you think that others would find useful.

Sometimes these creations are altruistic. You know that folks have a need. You know how to address that need. You contribute your time and talent to do so. (For example, many of the applications created on top of the BBC's API were for giving better access to information for people with handicaps. See my write up on Outside Innovation at the BBC.)