(July 26, 2002) - Insignia has begun a search for the world's finest JPDA application developer in a global competition to promote the creation and public availability of Java™ applets and applications designed for use in high-performance Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

Software developers from business, academia, or just with individual interest will be challenged to compete to develop the most innovative and industry applicable applications for the handheld and enterprise markets. Along with Insignia, the JPDA 2002 Application Developers Contest is sponsored by HP, Intel, Metrowerks, Sharp, Softbank Publishing and Sun Microsystems.

The JPDA 2002 Application Developers Contest started on July 23, 2002. Final entries must be submitted by September 10, 2002 for the Japanese applications category, and by October 31, 2002 for all English language-based categories. Winners in the Japanese category will be announced at the JavaOne Developers Conference, Japan, in September 2002. The grand prize winner and winners of the other categories will be announced at Comdex Fall 2002 in mid-November.

"We want to find the best Java application developer brains on the planet and create tangible application ideas that can be put into practice for genuine commercial uses," said Peter Baldwin, executive vice president of operations of Insignia.

Details about the JPDA 2002 Application Developers Contest are available at www.insignia.com/jpda2002.