You may have heard the buzz surrounding Google’s recent release of the Android mobile phone operating system. Put simply, it’s an open source mobile phone platform that lets users create and develop their own applications.

In an effort to speed up application development, Google have just released the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) with an explanation video and a $10m reward for users who develop the best new applications.

Firstly, the video:

The $10 million dollar reward is part of the Android Developer Challenge which is a two part challenge rewarding creative application development for the android platform.

From the Android site:

The award money will be distributed equally between two Android Developer Challenges:

• Android Developer Challenge I: We will accept submissions from January 2 through March 3, 2008
• Android Developer Challenge II: This part will launch after the first handsets built on the platform become available in the second half of 2008

In the Android Developer Challenge I, the 50 most promising entries received by March 3 will each receive a $25,000 award to fund further development. Those selected will then be eligible for even greater recognition via ten $275,000 awards and ten $100,000 awards.

Almost anybody can submit an application, and Google says developers will retain intellectual property rights to the applications while granting Google a license to test and use the program to promote the Android platform.

If you have the knowledge and desire to create a cool mobile phone application, give it a go and claim your share of the $10m on offer!