Its iOSDevCamp time again.  If you do not know what it is, #iOSDevCamp is a weekend event where iOS devs from all over the country ( and some from outside the US ) come to meet up and try to build an iphone / ipad application in a weekend.  This may sound impossible, but after doing this myself the last 2 years, I can attest that you will see some pretty nice apps coming out on Sunday. Whats interesting is that the event is not only just here.  There are satellite events.  Check out the live stream at the end of the post.

The way it works people show up, normally on Friday night, over beers and junk food, meet and great. What is always amazing to me is how people find each other to create teams to build products. Many people come in with idea, but a large number come here just for the experience, and its a great experience. And you do not need to be an iOS dev to participate. There is needs for UI design and back end programming (normally using LAMP). Normally those are the people using PC’s.

On Sunday, everyone gives a demo of what they have created.  The last two times I did this, my team was exhausted by show time and I have to say doing a presentation after staying up 3 days in a row was an experience in itself.

Its not too late to get in on this camp if you get moving right now.  You can come down to San Jose and join a team.  If you want to see what kind of stuff a barcamp type of event can come up with, check into the live stream on Sunday.  You will be impressed.

BTW, if you always wanted to get your hands in a square dongle, come on down.  They are giving those away as well as many other bits of swag.

Sunday 4-6 open to the public.

Free live streaming by Ustream

Prizes

“Just crazy enough it might work”

16GB Verizon 3G iPad 2 (or equivalent dollar amount App Store gift card)

Sponsored by The Association for Competitive Technology (ACT)

Best Crowdsourcing App

$500 Apple Store Gift Card

Sponsored by Mirego

Best New Developer

2 – $250 Apple Store Gift Cards

Sponsored by Millennial Media

Best Shopping App

$500 Cash

Bonus prize of an iPad 2 if you use the Retailigence APIs

Sponsored by Retailigence

Best Use of Betable APIs

Trip to Las Vegas for the winning team up to 4 people, certain limitations apply

Sponsored by Betable

Best Use of Storify APIs

Two iPad 2s

Sponsored by Storify

Best Use of PayPal APIs

Gadget grab bag full of cool stuff

Sponsored by x.commerce & the PayPal X Developer Network

Best Use of eBay APIs

Gadget grab bag full of cool stuff

Sponsored by x.commerce & the eBay Developers Program

Special Categories & Prizes

Best Open Source

Four $250 Apple Store Gift Certificates

Best Developer Tool or Library

iPad 2 32GB Wifi

Most Innovative

iPad 2 32GB Wifi

Coolest

iPad 2 32GB Wifi

Best User Interface

Gadget grab bag full of cool stuff

Best Web App

Gadget grab bag full of cool stuff

Best Satellite App

Gadget grab bag full of cool stuff

In addition to these special categories, there will be a number of other special categories that will be decided by the Hackathon Judges. In past years these have been Best Game, Best Social App, Best Health App, Best Hardware Hack, etc. but final decision will be based on best apps submitted.

Prizes for each of these special categories will a gadget grab bag full of cool stuff, which may include: 12-South Backpack Shelf, 12-South Subwoofer, Apple TV, Apple iPhone 4 32GB Black UNLOCKED, Apple Store Gift Certificates, Apple App Store Gift Certificates, Blue Mikey iPhone/iPad Microphone, Cobra iRadar Detector, E-Merse Dry Waterproof iPhone Case, Griffin Cases, Guide 10 Solar Power Charger, Hasbro Nerf Tag Blaster, iDevices iGrill, iHealth Blood Pressure Dock, iRig Microphone, Lark Sleep Monitor, Logitech Case with Bluetooth Keyboard, Macally Dual AC Charger for iPad, Magellan iPhone Car Kit, R.I.O.T. iPad Stand, RJawbone JamBox Bluetooth Speakers, Schoche iPad Car Chargers, Seagate GoFlex 1.5TB FW800/USB2 HDs, Verbatim Bluetooth Keyboard, Withings Connected Body Scale, XBox 360 Kinect Sensor, etc. Each gadget grab bag is worth $200 to $400.