The students in Mark Chang‘s mobile development course at Olin college  just completed the mid-semester #mobdev contest. This was a 10-day sprint to create a compelling product prototype on the Android platform that used the Echo Nest APIs. Teams were judged on the business model,  design, and implementation of their prototype. As Mark puts it: Substance, Style and a convincing way to make money.

In 10 days, these students built 7 awesome apps – each with a solid business model behind it.  Here’s a summary:

• Beat Counter –  A music listening application made especially for choreographers.
• Music Trails –  An application that helps listeners freely explore new music by visually navigating a web of connected artists.
• DJMixr – An application that lets people collectively play music. This is the winning app!
• BeatBlocker – a synchronized music game for the casual gaming market
• PacePlayer – an application for casual runners that enjoy listening to music
• Bandroid – An application for finding local concerts
• Driving Beat – an application that was so awesome that it is now a state secret.

I hope to see all of these apps in the Android marketplace very soon. Special thanks to Debcha for connecting The Echo Nest with mobdev