7 Hot Hackathons Worth Watching
(Source: Lmonk72 via Pixabay)
Although I've known about hackathons for years, I've never paid them much attention. I'm not a developer, so I assumed there was nothing of interest for me. All of that changed recently when I attended a conference that included a hackathon surrounding the topic of software-defined networks -- a topic that interests me greatly. For the first time, I was able to see what a hackathon is all about -- and the incredible potential they have in moving technology forward.
What I learned is that you don't need to be a developer, or even an active participant, to become interested in hackathons. You can simply marvel in the products others come up with within the guidelines of the particular hackathon. The amount of creativity and potential for real-world application is astounding, especially considering the limited amount of time most hackathons provide.
If you are like me and you look hard enough, you will almost certainly find a hackathon or two that will interest you enough to follow and monitor the outcomes. Hackathons span just about any topic you can imagine. Some focus on a specific technology, programming language, or piece of hardware. Others seek the answer to a problem -- whether it's driven by monetary, social, or any other interest.
Here, we've surveyed seven past, present, and future hackathon topics that illustrate the wide spectrum of subjects out there. Some are fairly broad -- such as a hackathon for mobile device applications. Others drill down further -- such as creating an application for a specific piece of mobile hardware. Hackathons can also revolve around specific market verticals, such as retail, finance, or healthcare. Finally, some hackathons are created to assist with a good cause -- typically to solve a complex problem using technology.
Take a look at some of the hackathons we found especially interesting. Then, in the comments section below, please share your hackathon experiences, or let us know if we've convinced you to start paying more attention to the wonders and offerings of the hackathon movement.
Over The Air
If you're interested in broad technology genres -- such as mobile apps and mobile devices -- then the Over the Air hackathon will be of great interest. The event takes place Sept. 25-26 in London, and has the backing of big corporate sponsors including Google, Twitter, and Mediatek Labs. The weekend includes workshops, keynotes, and a 24-hour hackathon. Sponsors present various challenges to participants who get to choose which challenge they wish to take on. The only binding theme around Over the Air is the theme of mobility.
Uber API
Application programming interface (API) hackathons are incredibly popular these days. Everything from mobile devices to databases and even software-defined networking applications has APIs built-in so developers can customize the user experience, add new features, and extract data for other uses.
Some vendors host hackathons in order to further develop their software and foster creativity. Uber recently hosted a hackathon where developers could create new features for the Uber application using the Uber API. The goal of the hackathon was for developers to come up with ways to "surprise, delight, and engage with users in a way that has never been done before." Prizes were awarded to top entrants. But more importantly, it gave Uber a fast and relatively inexpensive way to let people think outside the box and develop software that in-house developers may never have thought of.
Pebble Rocks Boulder
Hardware-based hackathons can be fun when the hardware in question is interesting to develop for. In 2015, wearable devices are popular, and hackathons creating new software to further enable wearable tech are just as popular. Case in point is the Pebble Rocks Boulder hackathon happening Sept. 4-6. The focus will be to develop something new and great for the Pebble smartwatch. As an interesting twist, not only will hackathon participants be able to use the Pebble UI design kit, they'll also have access to a 3D printer and electronic components. The idea is to create an application and a physical component that interact with the smartwatch.
Healthcare
Many developers are heavily involved in a specific business vertical -- for example finance, retail, agriculture, or telecommunications -- and their specific knowledge helps them hone the skills their market most needs. Healthcare is one such vertical that has a large hackathon following. Because the healthcare industry is unlike others, developers who specialize in this field are more in tune with the needs of this market. MIT's Grand Hack is one popular healthcare-focused hackathon that seeks unique ways to use technology to solve the world's health-related problems.
Qantas
Qantas Airlines recently hosted a hackathon that asked participants to use publicly available flight data in new and creative ways to find solutions to common flight travel problems and annoyances. As someone who spends a decent amount of time traveling by air, this particular hackathon had a special place in my heart.
Beekeepers
Hackathons aren't always for a developer's fame and fortune. Sometimes, there are bigger and more meaningful challenges to conquer. There have been hackathons to help fight hunger, homelessness, and even to reduce the effects of long-lasting droughts. One recent social hackathon topic I found interesting centered around how to use technology to help extend the life of honeybees, as well as use micro-drone technologies to supplement crop pollination in fields where honeybee population is mysteriously declining.
Need to find a solution to an internal business problem? Why not open up opportunities for your team to innovate from within? After all, who better understands the problem better than those who work in the company? No company is more famous for internal hackathons than Facebook. Internal hackathons are where ideas are created and careers made.
Conclusion
As you can see from the wide range of options described on these pages, there undoubtedly is a hackathon that will interest you. And the best part is you don't have to be a developer to appreciate the hackathon. Simply find an interesting topic and marvel at the creativity and innovation that is produced in a short period of time.