As Samsung continues to forge ahead with its own wearable plans, the Korean OEM is faced with a problem – apps. To encourage developers to start using its Gear 2 Tizen SDK, Samsung will be running an App Challenge starting May 8th. Cash prizes will total $1.25 million, and the first place winner will get $100,000.

The original Galaxy Gear wasn't in a great place with apps, but at least it was based on Android. The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are running Tizen, which lacks the developer community around Android (hence the contest). Developers will be allowed to register their Tizen wearable apps for consideration beginning on May 8th, but the company hasn't specified how long the competition will run.

Samsung will also be holding developer workshops around the world in an effort to get people interested in building for its wearable platform. With Android Wear coming this summer, Samsung might need to throw a lot more cash around to keep the Gear going.

[Samsung]