The growing number of smartphones has paved the way to the proliferation of mobile applications, even spurring competitions to encourage thinkers and innovators to create something that will change the way we do things.

Consumer Reports joins the growing number organizations trying to create the next big thing in the mobile applications arena, as they launch the “Consumer Report App Development Contest,” a competition aimed at giving software developers, development practitioners, and mobile enthusiasts the opportunity to create the next innovative Consumer Reports smartphone application.

The entries will not be applications, but ideas with written descriptions and detailed screen mocks for mobile devices that run on iOS 4.0 of Android 2.2 and up.  Developers have to register in order to submit their entries before November 8, 2011.  However, the submission of an entry doesn’t necessarily guarantee it will make it to the public voting– entries will be vetted for eligibility before the panel selects the final 10 to make it to the semifinals, where public voting takes place.

The application ideas have to fit with Consumer Report’s objective of empowering consumers to make smarter choices by providing them with expert and unbiased ratings, reviews and buying advice.  With the rise in big data trends, it’s no surprise that Consumer Reports is seeking a way to further empower end users, and dedicated services such as a Consumer Reports app could greatly encourage further development in this sector. The winner of the competition will be awarded $10,000 to develop the application.

“We’d like our Consumer Reports mobile apps to be innovative, invaluable tools that provide consumers with new and more convenient ways to access our content,” said Matt Goldfeder, Director of Mobile Products, Consumer Reports. “And since our mission is based very much on empowering consumers, it makes sense for us to tap the creativity and ingenuity of the public and give them a chance to develop, and to vote for our next mobile app.”

The semifinalist apps will be voted by the public online, and the 5 highest-ranking ideas will move on to the final round where they will be judged by a judging panel of six.

Consumer reports isn’t the first company to take on such an initiative. Not too long ago, the NYC Big Apps competition was held to improve New York City, and it’s already on its third year.  We also had the World Bank’s App for Development contest, which concluded last April and hailed Australia’s StatPlanet World Bank as the first prize winner, followed by France’s Development Timelines and Germany’s Yourtopia.  Around the time, Elsevier organized the Apps for Science competition, calling developers from U.S, U.K, Australia, Germany, India, Japan and the Netherlands to develop applications that “enhance information search and discovery for researchers.”