ABC – Always Be Coding. Not content to let iPhone hackers have all the fun, Google has announced $10 million worth of cash incentives for developers of Android apps. In stage one of the Android Developer Challenge, Googleheads will pass out 25 Large to creators of the 50 most promising apps. In stage two, after actual handsets arrive and the real work begins, the G-men and G-women will dole out $275K for each o ABC – Always Be Coding. Not content to let iPhone hackers have all the fun, Google has announced $10 million worth of cash incentives for developers of Android apps. In stage one of the Android Developer Challenge, Googleheads will pass out 25 Large to creators of the 50 most promising apps. In stage two, after actual handsets arrive and the real work begins, the G-men and G-women will dole out $275K for each of the top 10 apps and peel off $100K apiece for the 10 runners up. Third prize? A set of steak knives. I understand Google plans to fund the incentive program by collecting the change that falls out of Sergey’s pockets as he Segways around the Googleplex. Telecom before the storm. The US House of Reps has pulled a last-minute switcheroo and declined to grant immunity to the Spy Kids at AT&T, Verizon, and every other telecom provider (except Quest) that coughed and looked the other way while the NSA was tapping into its networks. The House bill gives more spying power to the spooks, but requires them and our nation’s network providers to actually abide by the law. Of course, the bill will be vetoed and Congress will eventually cave, so civil libertarians should enjoy this little respite of Constitutionality while it lasts. Switzerland, anyone? Virtual realty. A Dutch teenager has been arrested for virtual breaking and entering at the Habbo Hotel, a cartoon 3D world whose inhabitants look like refugees from Legoland. The teen apparently tricked other Habbo dwellers into giving up their passwords, broke into their imaginary rooms and stole nearly $6,000 worth of artificial furniture. I understand his plan was to sell them so he could buy some simulated crack. Is it me, or is it getting really strange out there? Got hot news of a tech nature? Share it with the world below or email me here. Top tipsters qualify for cool swag (but not Swiss chocolate, I’m afraid). Think you’ve got the right stuff to pass our tech quizzes? They’re not as easy as they look: • The InfoWorld News Quiz • Test Your Geek IQ • Test Your Network Security IQ Software DevelopmentSmall and Medium Business