Developers from over 70 countries have submitted 1,788 entries to the Android Developer Challenge, according to Google.

The goal of the challenge is to drum up interest in the Android platform, a software package for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and some key applications. Applications, built by anyone who has the requisite the skills, will be a huge part of the Android vision, according to Google.

Any phone manufacturer or carrier could use the platform to build tailor-made phones faster than previously possible, according to the platform's supporters, the Open Handset Alliance.

The challenge entries cover many different application areas, including games, social-networking, utilities, productivity and developer tools, according to a Google blog entry submitted by Azhar Hashem, product marketing manager for Android.

The US generated the largest number of entries, with others from Germany, Japan, China, India, Canada, France and the UK, Hashem wrote.

Now it's time for the judges to get to work: They will soon receive laptops loaded with all the submissions, according to Hashem.

Next month 50 semifinalists will be awarded US$25,000 each to fund further development. They will then compete for ten US$275,000 awards, and ten US$100,000 awards.

The winners will be announced on July 21.