Nokia recently recognized the first group of mobile application developers as part of its 2008 Forum Nokia Innovation Series. This program is designed to provide select small- and mid-sized developers with resources - such key business and market support - and facilitate access to the Symbian/S60 smartphone ecosystem.

The recognized applications and developers include:

 

Plusmo, developed by Santa Clara-based Plusmo

 

Whrrl, from Seattle-based developer Pelago

 

Qik, from Foster City, CA-based Qik

 

Webmessenger Mobile, developed by Los Angeles-based Webmessenger

 

BackupPal, from Advanced Wireless Solutions in Burbank, CA

 

Hava Mobile Player, from Monsoon Multimedia in San Mateo, CA

 

JoikuSpot from Finland-based developer Joikusoft Oy, Ltd.

 

UbiSafe, from developer UbiEst of Treviso, Italy.

Click on any of the below to learn more about each of the awarded application and developers.

The vetting system that lead to the selection of these developers included internal Nokia reviews and the screening of application features and functionality by consumer focus groups, according to Nokia. Each participant was required to demonstrate that their application or service provided specific benefits to Nokia mobile device users not otherwise available, and that a clear market demand existed for such a solution.