Friday was Nokia Day at CES, with Nokia CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo delivering his keynote speech and laying out the company's vision for the year ahead. We didn't see any new devices announced but OPK did announce details of how developers can help benefit poorer nations, as well as themselves, by offering a one million dollar prize for developers. Want to know how Nokia can make a difference to the people in emerging economies, or simply fancy getting your hands on one million dollars? Read on after the jump...

Calling All Innovators 2010 has been launched and this year the contest is looking for software developers to take on the challenge of meeting the news of those less fortunate than ourselves. With a one million dollar investment at stake, the idea is that apps developers need to come up with innovative ways to help upward mobility around the world, helping poorer people in the process.

If it all sounds a bit altruistic, consider the difference your mobile phone has made to your life. We certainly couldn't live without one – and the fact that even the most technologically advanced handsets are available for peanuts makes it even harder to imagine a world without them.

There are currently 4.6 billion mobile subscriptions in the world today among 6.8 billion people and for most people, it's not the PC that is the main device for connecting, but their mobile phone. A great example of this is Ovi Mail, which now has over five million accounts and is less than a year old.

There seems no doubt that mobile email is the way to go for those in poorer climates, but just how does Nokia intend to go about it? For a start, the realisation that all countries are not the same seems like an important factor, with OPK pointing out that 'each of these markets is uniquely different and complex. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work'.

An example of this was given in the form of the “Progress Project”, a program in which Nokia invited journalists from the Lonely Planet travel guide to investigate the benefits of mobility, with complete editorial freedom. A series of short videos were produced, revealing just how the mobility offered by mobile phones can improve lives – almost anywhere in the world.

It's not all idle chat either, as there's a one million dollar bounty on offer for 'innovators' and software developers, in the form of the Nokia Growth Economy Venture Challenge. The idea is that this helps to encourage those working with Nokia to come up with innovative ways to promote upward mobility around the world, helping poorer people in the process.

It appears that Nokia really are committed to making a difference to people in all countries – and not just those buying the latest, cutting-edge handsets. To find out more about the Nokia Growth Economy Venture Challenge, visit Calling All Innovators

Want to know what OPK had to say, check out the keynote speech video: