Microsoft has opened application submission for the Windows Marketplace for Mobile application store, which is for its Windows Mobile platform. WinMo 6.0, 6.1 and 6.5 will be supported, which means when the store launches, there will be tens of millions of potential customers. To make things interesting, MS is having a "Race to Market" challenge for developers where they will be able to earn prizes, money, fortune and fame.Today's Windows Mobile Blog post marks one of the final steps before the store opens later this year. There are thousands and thousands of apps that have been written for Windows Mobile over the years. Some have died off and others have continued to sell well. It isn't known exactly how many apps will be available on the day of launch, but it should be enough to make the store comprehensive without it having so many apps it is bewildering to users, much like trying to get a seven year old to pick out one piece of candy in a candy store.

The blog post contains links to the process for submission and policies for what can and cannot be accepted. The certification process should take roughly ten days and it is on a first come, first serve basis.

The contest should encourage developers to be creative. There will be four categories that will be judged:

• Most downloaded free app
• Most revenue generating app
• Most useful app
• Most playful app

Prizes include four Microsoft Surface tables, marketing and promotion of your app and trophies. If you are a Windows Mobile developer, get your app ready and start the submission process. Personally, I'd love to be the only guy on my block with a Surface table, but first, I need to learn how to code a "Hello world" app.