Announcing the Remix Challenge!

Think you can build a better Best Buy? We do, and we’re launching the Remix Challenge to prove it!

TopCoder and Best Buy are proud to announce this exciting new series of contests. Over the coming months, we’ll be building applications in a variety of categories, using the Remix open API for BestBuy.com’s product catalog to help find solutions to specific challenges.

Each challenge will begin with an Idea Generation contest, where you will be presented with a problem or issue pertaining to customer experience in a particular category. How would you help a customer through the many decisions they need to make when purchasing a flat panel television? How would you better present the wide array of accessories that are so important when buying a laptop PC or mp3 player? How would you improve the shopping experience for Best Buy’s wide selection of movie & video game titles, or build awareness about Best Buy Rewards Points , or sell more ink & toner for printers?

We’ll be looking for your ideas for the perfect small application to address these challenges in the form of a web app for BestBuy.com, or a widget, a Facebook or mobile app, or whatever else you can come up with.

There will be at least five winners of each Idea Contest, and at least one of those ideas will become the input into the the next phase of the challenge track: a UI design contest. Then, in phase Three of the challenge, we want you to build it!

We’ll be launching new Challenge Tracks regularly, the first of which starts today with the REMIX Challenge “Computer Experience” Idea Generation Contest.

Jump right in, check out the problem statement, learn about the Remix API, and register for your API Key — then, let’s hear your ideas!

All Remix challenge contests are eligible for Studio Cup or Digital Run points, and more exciting announcements regarding special prizes and affiliate rewards are on the way. The TC and Best Buy teams will be here to keep you updated throughout, and will of course be manning the forums to answer any questions you have along the way.

Good Luck everyone!