About App-O'-Lanterns
App-O'-Lanterns is a contest celebrating the creativity of mobile application developers and users. Put down your iPad, pick up a knife and carve a homage to your favorite App. It is hosted by independent iPhone application developer BabyBinks.The History of App-O'-Lanterns
Last year, BabyBinks was looking for ways to promote their first app, Stork Drop (also available as Stork Drop Free). During a neighborhood Halloween party, it was noticeable that the lit-up faces didn't belong to children eagerly begging for candy, but instead to all the parents reading their iPhones. The idea for App-O'-Lanterns was conceived that night. The first App-O'-Lantern was subsequently carved and placed prominently on the porch to promote the app.This year, the App-O'-Lanterns contest was launched with the same goal: to highlight and promote independent developers of children's games and educational apps.
The Contest
App-O'-Lanterns are entered into the contest simply by submitting a picture (full contest rules). The winning pumpkin in each category (kids, fans, developer) will be judged by a panel of celebrity developers and entrepreneurs. In addition, two winners will be announced for the prestigious "Best Backstory" and "Best in Row" award.A trick-or-treat back full of promotional codes from award winning and top-selling developers such as Duck Duck Moose, RETROdreamer, iMagine machine, will be awarded to the winner. The App-O'-Lantern with the most Twitter Tweets and Facebook Shares will be awarded "Best in Row" and win an AppleTV!
App-O'-Lanterns is being sponsored with contributions from:
- Dan Donahoo from Wired Magazine's GeekDad
- Duck Duck Moose, award-winning creator of educational children's applications
- Erica Sadun, best-selling author of the iPhone Developer's Cookbook and TUAW (The Unauthorized Apple Weblog) contributor
- Gavin Bowman, of RETROdreamer
- Lorraine Akemann, co-founder of the collaborative family friendly developer group Moms with Apps
About BabyBinks
BabyBinks is independent iPhone development company focused on building apps for modern families.
Originating as a personal blog in 2005, to share pictures with friends and family, BabyBinks.com quickly exploded into a larger commentary on modern fatherhood. It became a little place on the Internet to visit when you are one diaper change away from going out for a pack of cigarrettes and not coming home until you son has signed a major league baseball contract.
The recent focus on iPhone applications development began in 2008, when the founder discovered his 3 year-old daughter played with his iPhone more than her favorite doll. From their interactive baby naming application, Stork Drop, to their early reading skills application, Zombies Vs. Literacy, BabyBinks apps are loaded on nearly 200,000 iPhones.
