Israeli students have stepped up to the challenge of developing unique mobile phone applications.

The winner of the Google-sponsored "Israeli Mobile Challenge 2011," was a group from Ben-Gurion University (BGU) of the Negev, for a system aimed at enhancing the communal musical experience.

The creators of "Mobile Party" said of their application: "Think about a bus crowded with teenagers all listening to the same Lady Gaga song on their smart phones, following the same beat, and you get the picture."

Other finalists came up with an application allowing users to play the piano by directing their mobile phone camera at a drawing of the instrument.

Another concept, developed by students from BGU and Tel Aviv University, was tagged as a way to chase up friends about outstanding loans, by posting reminder "bubbles" which flash up when they phoned.

The "Bubble" creators said: "This serves as a good way to remember to ask your friend for the $50 he owes you."