HTML5 developer tool provider Sencha has launched a competition for the best re-creations of popular native apps using HTML5 technology.

The ‘HTML5 is Ready App Contest’ is designed to drive HTML5-based app development in 2013 and beyond, with cash and prizes worth US$20,000.

Developers are required to build web-app versions of default native apps in the categories of weather, reminders, calculator, stocks, camera/photos and calendar. The apps must use a Sencha framework.

Apps will be judged on use of HTML5, elegance of design and architecture, overall user experience, ‘coolness and innovation’ and how well they test on the iPad 4, iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 and Microsoft Surface tablet.

First prize will be US$10,000 along with all the devices the apps will be tested on, as well as a Nexus 10 tablet and a conference pass to Sencha Con 2013. Second prize is US$5,000 and a conference pass with third place scooping US$2,500 and a conference pass.

“In the last year, tens of thousands of HTML5 apps were built that perform as well or better than any app on the market but we have just hit the tip of the iceberg for what is possible,” said Sencha VP of marketing Paul Kopacki.

With Apple, Google, Microsoft and RIM all taking major steps to improve HTML5 support, Kopacki said the industry has reached “the tipping point where there are no limits to what developers can accomplish using the right HTML5 tools and frameworks”.

In order to prove that HTML5 is ready to drive universal app development, Sencha is also building an HTML5 driven Facebook news feed and timeline that it claims will outperform the native Facebook app.

Apps must be submitted by 15 February 2013 to be eligible for prizes.