 "Microsoft announces new contest to woo WP8 app developers")
With Windows Phone 8, Microsoft is leaving nothing to chance and has been busy promoting the platform at every given opportunity. Apart from the snazzy ads, it has also trained its attention on expanding and strengthening its app ecosystem. The latest bid to woo developers onto the Windows Phone 8 platform promises the winner a spot in a Windows Phone primetime TV ad, albeit to be aired only in U.S.
Nevertheless, the Windows Phone Next App Star challenge contest is open to developers across the globe, the only criteria being that the individual has to be 18 years of age and above. If you have already developed apps for Windows Phone 8, then the same will be considered and you can simply opt-in to enter the contest before March 5, 2013.
Try your luck…
But if you haven’t developed an app yet, then you can register for the contest and get your app published on the platform before the deadline. Keep in mind that every app you submit will have to pass a quality check before it is published in the store. Only those apps that pass the test and go live on the store will be considered.
The judging process will be based on user ratings as well as on how well the app makes use of the Windows Phone 8 native features. Sixty-four entries will be shortlisted, which will then enter a head-to-head competition with public voting. Apps will get eliminated along the way till the final winner emerges. The winner will earn a spot in Windows Phone primetime TV advertisements in the U.S. apart from the fame and other benefits. The rest of the lot needn’t be disappointed as there are thousands of dollars in prize, including a Nokia Lumia 920 Windows Phone, a one-year free Dev Center subscription, featured promotion in the Windows Phone Store and exposure via online media.
To get started and better their chances of winning the contest, the developers can take advantage of the all-new developer’s platform that provides inputs on UX design, global distribution and business models to support different monetisation approaches. Developers can also benefit from the regular blog posts from Microsoft’s Emilio Salvador Prieto who will be heading the Developer Experience team. His blog post will provide more details about the program and other insights that will help you maximise your chances. While the submission period ends on March 5, 2013, public voting will end on April 8, 2013.
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