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Bosch organizes hackathon in Berlin; New approach to software development and customer orientation(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 20 October 2014 Release date- 17102014 - Stuttgart/Berlin - On October 18 and 19, 2014, Bosch will host its first hackathon in Germany. Some 30 independent software developers, designers, and innovative web users will converge on the Rainmaking Loft in Berlin for the event. They have been invited to develop innovative apps for Bosch's mySPIN software. mySPIN makes it very easy to integrate smartphones into a car's infotainment system - good news for drivers, as it is much handier and safer to use apps on vehicles' own screens and control systems. A panel of judges will award prizes for the best new apps immediately after the final presentation on Sunday. Reports and discussions relating to the Bosch hackathon will be posted on Twitter and Facebook during and after the event. The hashtag is #BoschHackathon. Exclusive access to Bosch software package Bosch is using the Berlin hackathon to explore new approaches to connected driving and end-customer orientation. 'This hackathon is an excellent opportunity for us to tap into the potential of creative ideas outside the company,' says Torsten Mlasko, general manager of Bosch SoftTech GmbH. Bosch will be giving the external software developers exclusive access to the developer package for its mySPIN solution. Over two days, the software developers participating will work in small project teams, using this data to develop creative ideas and initial prototypes for new mySPIN apps. 'The way our software package is designed means it offers app developers a quick and uncomplicated means of transferring their applications to the vehicle - it's what makes our software so special,' Mlasko says. Reaching out to digital target groups At the same time, the event in Berlin is a way for Bosch to reach new digital target groups in a creative and interactive environment. 'By organizing the Bosch hackathon, we're deliberately seeking to cultivate our communication with digital target groups,' explains Martin Gansert. In his work as social media manager in Bosch corporate communications, he is responsible for blogger relations. 'Alongside classic press events and blogger gatherings, a hackathon allows us to work closely together with social media influencers,' Gansert says. mySPIN - Bosch's smartphone integration solution mySPIN is capable of integrating iOS and Android smartphone apps into vehicles. All compatible apps that are saved on a smartphone can be displayed and controlled on the screen in the vehicle. The way apps appear and are controlled via the vehicle display is adapted to the respective driving situation, and the smartphone itself is controlled using the vehicle's touch screen. By integrating the smartphone and all relevant apps into their vehicles, automakers can offer their customers an attractive range of always up-to-date services. Apps are what drives mySPIN A variety of popular applications are already available for Bosch's mySPIN solution, including media player, maps, calendar, and contacts apps. However, further well-known apps such as Parkopedia, Stitcher, News OnBoard, hotelseeker, eventseeker, and cityseeker can also be used at any time. And now, following their recent introduction at the Paris Motor Show, Rivet News Radio, Audiobooks, and Newsbeat have also been added as new app partners for mySPIN. This enables drivers with a compatible GPS app to benefit from all kinds of useful assistance. For example, while driving the fastest route to the next appointment in their personal calendar, they might listen to their favorite tunes on internet radio and find a suitable hotel room. 'Apps are the lifeblood of mySPIN, and more of them will be added all the time,' Mlasko says. After all, the technical hurdles for new applications are low, and Bosch provides software development kits for this purpose. Automakers are able to specify the individual apps that can be used in a vehicle and update this list flexibly whenever needed. Vehicles manufactured by Jaguar and Land Rover are already available with Bosch's smartphone integration, which can be used worldwide. Attractive prizes up for grabs On October 19, a panel of five judges will conclude the inaugural Bosch hackathon by awarding prizes to the best ideas and practical app solutions. Among the attractive prizes are a weekend in London, a Bosch e-bike weekend, and vouchers for Bosch products. The judges will be Nicole Y. Mannl, car blogger at 'auto-diva.de'; Ludovic Privat, co-founder and editor of the GPS Business News portal; Morten Faust, head of product development at the software company Aupeo!; Dietmar Meister, head of smartphone and cloud solutions at Bosch SoftTech GmbH; and Carolin Tolksdorf from Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH. What is a hackathon? A hackathon is an event in which programmers, software developers, designers, and project managers work closely together to develop software in a team. Hackathons usually last between one and seven days, and the goal is generally to develop new software for a defined purpose. The term 'hackathon' is a combination of the words 'hack' and 'marathon.' In this context, 'hack' effectively means playful, exploratory programming. The hackathon phenomenon has spread widely since the middle of the last decade. Hackathons are used by companies and venture capital firms as an agile way of quickly developing innovative software-based technologies. 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