Microsoft launches Windows Phone 8 dev contest

Microsoft has launched a contest for Windows Phone 8 which gives developers the chance to get their app featured on a televised advert.

Next App Star is designed to help give developers more visibility and attract more customers by being advertised on a “prime-time” commercial in the US.

The contest is open to developers around the world, with the deadline for registered developers to opt-in through the dev centre ending on March 5th. The contest is open to apps already released and those published before the deadline.

App submissions will be judged on an “equal weighing” of user ratings and app quality, as well as the implementation of new Windows Phone 8 features such as Live Tiles.

Once the deadline passes, 64 apps will be put head-to-head in a public vote over the following several weeks, which will gradually narrow the number of choices to 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 and then the winner.

Prizes up for grabs include cash, a Nokia Lumia 920 Windows Phone and a one-year free Dev Centre subscription – with the winner gaining a place in the Microsoft advert.

Visit the official website for more information.