MobileActive.org

Today's news covers a new Android app development contest in Sub-Saharan Africa, Libya's rebel-created cell network, a look at how Android has become the fastest-growing mobile OS, a study on how mobile owners listen to music on mobile devices, and the growth of mobile Internet in South Africa.

• Are you an app developer in Sub-Saharan Africa? Google has launched an Android Developer Contest – there are three competition regions (West and Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa) and three categories (Entertainment/Media/Games, Social Networking/Communication, and Productivity/Tools/Lifestyle). Check out the competition's page to learn more – submissions open on June 1st and are due by July 1st.
• After Libyan government forces disabled mobile and Internet services in March to cut off rebels' communication, a group of expatriates set up a new cell network outside of government control. Read the Wall Street Journal's in-depth coverage of the creation of the system here.

On Monday, Vodafone and the mHeatlh Alliance announced the winners of the Vodafone Americas Foundation Wireless Innovation Project and the mHealth Alliance Award. Although all three winning projects focus on health applications of mobile technology, each project has an entirely different focus: in first place, NETRA uses a clip-on device for mobile phones to quickly diagnose eye disorders; in second place, SMART Diaphragm monitors high-risk pregnancies by wirelessly transmitting information to physicians; and in third place is Cool Comply, a system designed for community health workers to keep medications cool and to allow them to stay in contact with patients.

We are looking for a rock star Summer design intern (April-September) to come to our office in New York for three days or more per week. You will be tasked with developing creative and designing collateral for innovative mobile projects for social change around the world, including presentations, screen casts, print materials, and online graphics. You will have an opportunity to put a significant 'stamp' on our projects and build your portfolio.

To be considered, you will be extraordinarily creative, design cleanly and persuasively, are comfortable in most media forms, and have deep knowledge of all industry standard design applications. A passion for social change a must, as is being technology-savvy. Experienced in data visualization/infographics, motion and/or interactive graphics, publishing to web, and to print. UX and UI experience a strong plus.

Bonus points if you have traveled widely and understand cultures and realities of other countries. If you have previously designed training and educational materials (from comics to how-to guides) you will be especially considered.

To apply, please send your resume, availability (daily/weekly schedule), portfolio samples (or a link to your portfolio), and the reason why we should choose you to work with us to contact@mobileactive.org.

Apply by 4/20/2011.

Internship involves a small stipend, and we will help you with earning school credit if needed. No phone calls please.

Image via Vectorstock.com (until we have you, our new designer!)

There is an enormous amount of literature on the use of mobiles in development work - from case studies and project evaluations, to broad policy recommendations and specific technology papers.

One place you can begin your search of relevant publications, reports and evaluations is in our mDirectory. For snapshots of the kind of information you can find there, here are more research slidecasts!

Way back in 2008, we spoke with Yael Schwartzman, who described her work in agricultural data collection. In this presentation, we feature a report published by Schwartzman, now a country manager at Frogtek in Mexico, and Tapan S. Parikh, assistant professor at UC Berekeley's School of Information.