Internode starts 'œChumby contest' in Aussie content boost bid

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 01 December 2008 10:53

Opinion and Analysis

The Wi-Fi “digital virtual anything viewer” that is the Chumby has come to Australia courtesy of local ISP Internode, and to boost the amount of Australian content available, Internode is launching a month-long contest with a $2000 prize pack to be won. You don’t even need to own a Chumby to enter!

“Chumby” (or chumby in lower case as named by its creators) is a cute and soft device that sports a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen, through which you can view, experience, watch and listen to thousands of “apps”, all delivered via Wi-Fi.

These apps are called “Widgets”, and they let you watch YouTube videos, see sports scores, listen to radio stations, get weather updates and plenty more.

Most of the content for the chumby comes from the US, and while some Australian widgets already exist, Internode wants to encourage the development of plenty more.

iTWire first covered Internode’s launch of the chumby last month, and noted that while it’s wireless, meaning you can put them anywhere – the kitchen, lounge, backyard, beside table, your office desk or wherever you want.

They just need to be plugged into mains power (as the current chumby lacks any kind of rechargeable batteries), must be in range of your Wi-Fi network, and must be in your possession, which means outlaying $299 to get your very own.

Internode Content Administrator Richard Burke said developing chumby widgets was quite straightforward. “If you understand the basics of Flash, it's worth giving it a go.

“You don't even need to own a chumby to create widgets or enter this competition. You can create a virtual chumby at chumby.com and then you’re in with a chance to win your own chumby prize pack,” Burke added.

Internode have already created some Australian based widgets to get the imagination flowing, with existing widgets including:

    * An Australian BBQ Game
    * Bureau of Meteorology weather updates
    * Video content from Australian news media
    * Traffic webcams in major cities
    * Australian podcast archives

So, how can you enter the competition, when does it close, what’s in the $2000 prize pack, and what’s in the consolation prize (beyond a free chumby?)

Please read on to page 2.