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MSU graduate, Jeffrey Sharkey wins $275,000 in Google’s Android Developer Challenge

Jeffrey Sharkey http://www.jsharkey.org/ , a recent graduate of Montana State
University’s computer science program, has placed among the top 10
entrants in the Google Android Developer Challenge, earning him a
$275,000 cash prize.

By Michael Becker, MSU News Service

Sharkey, who graduated with his master’s degree in May, entered the
software design challenge earlier this year. The contest was designed to
get developers working on programs for Android, Google’s new cell phone
operating system.

The Minnesota native’s entry, CompareEverywhere — formerly dubbed
AndroidScan — uses a cell phone’s camera to read the barcode on any
product. The program then uses the phone’s Internet connection to search
Web sites for information about that product, such as reviews, prices,
excerpts, online vendors and nearby stores selling that item.

In May, Sharkey, 23, learned that his program placed in the top 50 out
of nearly 1,800 entries, netting him $25,000. He and the other top 50
spent the summer refining their programs and entered them for final
judging in early August.

"It’s exciting, but it’s not just about this one application for me
anymore," said Sharkey, who has a penchant for taking on side projects.
"As I’ve been digging deeper into Android, I’ve started working on other
things that I’m excited about as well."

After Sharkey’s top-50 finish, he received job offers from major
companies around the country. He’s still considering those, but now,
with $275,000 in his pocket, Sharkey’s also thinking about working on
some of his new projects full-time and maybe even starting a business.

"The experience has definitely made me think harder about what I want to
do," he said.

While studying at MSU, Sharkey researched intelligent, radio-based rural
transportation networks. He also worked as a student fellow at MSU’s
Western Transportation Institute.

Sharkey praised the connections he made with other students during his
time at MSU. "It was really a great place to come together and meet
other smart people and connect with them," he said.

This story can be viewed on the Web at:
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=6164

Contact: Jeff Sharkey at [email protected]; Michael Becker at
406-994-5140 or [email protected]

For related stories see:

"MSU graduate places among top 50 in Google’s Android Developer
Challenge," http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=6005,
June 18, 2008

Micron visits campus to announce MSU’s key status, April 19, 2002
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=240

Two MSU students receive NSF research fellowships, May 30, 2008
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=5889

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