Microsoft Malta with the support of Vodafone is launching a Windows Phone 7 application development competition. Professional developers, students or simply enthusiasts can create an application or a game, enter the competition and stand a chance to win.

All the working applications and games that are submitted will be added to the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace for free, making them available to people worldwide.

The working apps that don’t win the competition will be displayed on the Microsoft Malta Facebook page. The public will have a chance to vote for the application they like the most and the one with the most ‘Likes’ will also get a prize.

Microsoft said its Windows Phone 7’s smart design, integrated experiences and new developer platform provide a variety of unique features that change the way people engage with apps and games. With the introduction of Windows Phone 7, in October of last year, Microsoft introduced a new platform that is different because it is designed to bring together what users care about most.

Every-day tasks are made faster by doing more in fewer steps and providing timely information in a glanceable format.

The things that matter most like people (contacts), games, music, video, photos and office productivity are organized and are easily accessible through integrated experiences known as Windows Phone Hubs.

Even if prospective participants don’t have a Windows Phone 7 device, they can create their app and test it using the emulator that comes with the development tools. Developers can find all the necessary tools along with tutorials on Windows Phone development and other resources on the MSDN website for free ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/ff380145.aspx )

Submissions for the app competition are open and the deadline is October 15. The Facebook voting competition begins October 21 and ends on November 21.

www.wp7appcomp.com