Can I make updates to my app after I've submitted it?
What can the API do?
What do I need to use to build my application? Where can I find it?
Can I use FXCM branding for my app?
What devices can I build my app for?
Can I include other API’s or datasets in my app?
What category should I choose for my app?
Why do I have to upload a video?
What are the criteria for judging the submissions?
Do I retain intellectual property ownership?
Can more than one person work on an application and receive credit for it? And if the application wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?
Can my application win more than one prize?
Can I enter more than one application?
Who is eligible to enter the competition?
We are an organization. Can we enter?
Do the submitted apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be pre-existing applications?
What will FXCM and ChallengePost do with my submission?
If I charge for my application, is it still eligible for FXCM Freestyle App Challenge?
Can my application include advertisements?
Does my application need to have store approval prior to the submission deadline?
How can I provide ChallengePost with access to test my application if it hasn’t been approved yet by the relevant application store?
What are the key competition dates?
How do I enter?
How do I follow the FXCM Freestyle App Challenge and get updates?
How does public voting work?
Do I need a ChallengePost account to vote?
How do I vote?
Do tweets and Facebook likes count as votes?
Can I create more than one account to vote?
Can I pay people to vote for me?
Are votes checked for eligibility before the Popular Choice Prize winner is determined?
What do I do if I think someone is cheating to get more votes?
What if I have questions about the ForexConnect API?
Who can I contact if I have questions about the FXCM Freestyle App Challenge?
Can I make updates to my app after I've submitted it?
If you have submitted an iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, or Windows/Mac desktop app installation file, you may update the public version of your app after the submission period closes.
If you have submitted a web/mobile browser-based app, your app must not be updated in the time between the end of the Submission Period and the end of the Judging Period (April 10th 5pm ET). Doing so may cause your submission to be disqualified.
What can the API do?
The API offers all the same functionality of the powerful FXCM Trading Station. This includes all of the available order entry types, managing your positions, downloading historical instrument rates, getting account reports, and more.
FXCM’s ForexConnect API makes it possible to develop rich applications that extend the functionality of the Trading Station. For example, you could develop custom logic that applies multiple stops and limits to one position, closes all positions when the profit or loss on trades meet a certain level, or send email alerts when events take place such as new orders. The API has access to all of the information and functionality that the Trading Station has and it allows you to develop an unlimited number of custom features which can then be used by yourself or your clients.
What do I need to use to build my application? Where can I find it?
To build your application you will need to use FXCM’s ForexConnect API. Be sure to also download the Getting Started Document.
Can I use FXCM branding for my app?
Yes. You may use FXCM branding (logo, colors, etc.) for applications or games created and submitted to the FXCM Freestyle App Challenge.
What devices can I build my app for?
To be eligible for the challenge you must build your app on an Android, iOS device, Windows mobile phone, Windows computer, or Mac. (Browsers-based apps will be eligible, however FXCM’s ForexConnect API does not natively support browser applications at this time.) If you submit an app for Android, iOS, WIndows Phone, or a desktop, you must upload an installation file. See details here.
Can I include other API’s or datasets in my app?
Yes. You may use other API’s and datasets as long as you have the legal authority to use and distribute them. They must be used in addition to FXCM’s ForexConnect API, which is required.
What category should I choose for my app?
Each app must be placed into a category. To determine which category fits your app the best, think about its functionality. Apps placed into the “Games” category should function as a single or multi-player game related to foreign exchange or currency trading. Apps placed into the “Education Apps” category should provide educational content related to foreign exchange or currency trading. If your app has the ability to place trades, provides forex news, rates, technical indicators, or other trading data, or if it can calculate exchange rates – add it to the “Mobile Trading App” category. If your app does not fall into any of these, choose the “Other” category.
Why do I have to upload a video?
The Popular Choice award is determined by public voting. A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your application. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that captures the application’s value and user interface.
What are the criteria for judging the submissions?
Software applications will be judged based on the following criteria: quality of the Idea (including creativity and originality), implementation of the Idea (including how well the idea was executed by the developer and how well FXCM’s ForexConnect API was integrated), and overall user experience (including design, graphics, typography, and visual aesthetic).
Popular Choice awards will be determined by public voting. For full details, review the Official Rules.
Do I retain intellectual property ownership?
Yes. By submitting an application to the FXCM Freestyle App Challenge, you do not transfer any intellectual property rights to FXCM or ChallengePost. However FXCM and ChallengePost will have the right to feature your application for promotional purposes. See the Official Rules for details.
Can more than one person work on an application and receive credit for it? And if the application wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?
Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals, a corporation or an organization is selected as an award winner, the full prize amount will be sent to the submitter. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money between the team members, as they deem it appropriate.
Can my application win more than one prize?
Yes. Each application must be entered into a specific category (gaming app, educational app, or mobile trading app) and cannot win a prize in other categories to which it was not entered. However, all category winners are eligible to win the Best Overall App and Popular Choice awards.
Can I enter more than one application?
Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person, team or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. However, if you submit two or more applications that are identical or substantially similar, FXCM and ChallengePost reserve the right to disqualify all the submissions or require you to choose one submission to enter into the competition.
Who is eligible to enter the competition?
The FXCM Freestyle App Challenge is open to legal residents who are 18 years of age or older, of the United States, and to legally registered corporations or organizations that are domiciled in the United States and employ fewer than 50 people at the time of entry. (See the next question for large organization eligibility.)
We are an organization. Can we enter?
Organizations with fewer than 50 employees may enter and compete for the cash prizes if they are legally established entities domiciled in the United States or its territories. Organizations with 50 or more employees may enter and compete for the Large Organization Recognition Award, which has no cash prize. Large Organizations must also be domiciled in the United States.
Do the submitted apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be pre-existing applications?
A submission must either be a new application or, if the application is not new, have incorporated FXCM’s ForexConnect API only after the start of the competition Submission Period. Applications published to a publicly accessible application store prior to the start of the competition submission period that used the ForexConnect API will not be eligible for the Challenge.
What will FXCM and ChallengePost do with my submission?
FXCM and ChallengePost will have the right to publicly display your submission on the challenge website. They will also be allowed to publicize your name on the challenge website in connection with the submission and the challenge during the competition and for 36 months after its conclusion. For more information on publicity rights, please see the Official Rules.
If I charge for my application, is it still eligible for FXCM Freestyle App Challenge?
Yes, you can charge for your application. However, you must provide free access to your app for testing and judging. You must do so by including installation files with your submission, for Android, iOS, WIndows Phone, or desktop applications. If your app is a web or mobile web app you must provide a website URL and a free login in the “Testing Instructions” field of the submission form.
Can my application include advertisements?
The challenge rules do not prohibit advertising in applications. Please note, however, that if the content of the ads is deemed inappropriate, your submission may be disqualified.
Does my application need to have store approval prior to the submission deadline?
No, but your application must be submitted to the relevant application store for review by the submission deadline.
How can I provide ChallengePost with access to test my application if it hasn’t been approved yet by the relevant application store?
If you are submitting an Android, iOS, Windows Phone, or desktop application, you must upload a ZIP file with an installation file
Android Applications: upload a .apk file.
iOS Applications: upload a .ipa file provisioned with the appropriate UDID:
iPad (iOS 5.0.1) e21acf963c60919f6f0aa23d42cef5f06e25ee2d
iPod Touch 4th Gen (iOS 5.0.1)13d9c9e50d705446c07fc5d2c3c3144c69ffc576
iPhone 4 (iOS 9b208) d6d3f69fde72561928c0fd7c541ea1511acf7729
Windows Phone Applications: upload a .xap file and testing instructions.
Mac or Windows desktop Applications: upload appropriate installation files.
What are the key competition dates?
The submission deadline is January 24, 2013, at 5 p.m. EST. Judging and public voting will begin on February 13, 2013 at 10 a.m. EST, and will end March 6, 2013 at 5 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced on or around March 12, 2013.
How do I enter?
- Create an account or log in with an existing ChallengePost account.
- On ForexFreestyle.ChallengePost.com, click Accept this challenge to register your interest in participating. This step ensures that you will receive important challenge updates.
- Download the Getting Started Document and ForexConnect API (You will be required to accept the FXCM End User License Agreement when installing the API.)
- Create a working software application that uses the ForexConnect API and runs on an iOS, Android, or Windows mobile device, or Windows or Mac personal computer. (Browser-based apps will also be eligible, however the ForexConnect API does not natively support browser applications at this time.)
- Submit your working software application to a publicly accessible online application store and link to it in the “Website URL” field of your submission (or include a link to your website if you are submitting a browser-based app). If you are submitting an Android, iOS, Windows Phone, or desktop application, you must submit an installation file. [NOTE: Applications must list FXCM in the description of the application on the relevant online application store and also within the app itself, if such a section exists. Applications must include the following disclaimer in the description of the Application included on the relevant online application store or website: "FXCM is an independent legal entity and is not affiliated with [Applicants name or company]. [Application Name] is not owned, controlled, or operated by FXCM. Therefore, FXCM does not make any warranties regarding any product or service and has not reviewed or verified any performance results that may be presented and/or described here.” Applications that display tables, charts, or sections of data updated from the ForexConnect API must include attribution of the data to FXCM.]
- Confirm that you have read and agree to the Official Rules, and submit your application by including a link to it on a publicly accessible online application store or other website (if applicable), a video demonstrating how it works on an approved device or emulator, a text description, at least one photograph, an installation file (if applicable), step-by-step testing instructions, and any other required form fields.
How do I follow the FXCM Freestyle App Challenge and get updates?
When you accept the challenge, you’ll automatically receive updates regarding the Challenge. But anyone can receive email updates by clicking “Follow” to receive email updates. Follow us on Twitter at @challengepost or join the conversation with #forexfreestyle.
How does public voting work?
Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like, but no more than once for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine the Popular Choice award winner.
Do I need a ChallengePost account to vote?
Yes. Before you can vote for a submission, please sign up an account or log in to your ChallengePost account.
How do I vote?
Log in to your confirmed ChallengePost account, go to the submission you’d like to vote for, then click on the VOTE button to vote.
Do tweets and Facebook likes count as votes?
No, they do not.
Can I create more than one account to vote?
No, the use of multiple email addresses or any form of automated vote processes will subject all votes from the person to disqualification.
Can I pay people to vote for me?
Solvers may not pay or otherwise compensate anyone or provide any other type of consideration in exchange for votes.
Are votes checked for eligibility before the Popular Choice Prize winner is determined?
Just because a vote appears on the site does not mean it is an eligible vote. We take the integrity of the competition extremely seriously, and verify all votes via a wide variety of criteria before a Popular Choice Award winner is determined.
What do I do if I think someone is cheating to get more votes?
Send us an email at support@challengepost.com and include a link to the submission in question.
What if I have questions about the ForexConnect API?
If you have questions about the ForexConnect API, visit the FXProgrammers Forum or email api@fxcm.com.