Microsoft New Zealand has announced the Windows Phone 7 competition, with a view to encourage developers to create some of the world’s first apps for the new Windows Phone 7 platform,

Participants have been given time up to November 1, 2010 to design and build their apps, then to submit a 3-minute screencast depicting the key functions and features of the app.

Microsoft New Zealand has announced two categories viz. general New Zealand category and Trade Me category.

Under the New Zealand category, developers will have to design and create an original app or game inspired by New Zealand via local services, themes and culture.

Under the Trade Me category, developers will compete to build an original app for Windows Phone 7 that features recently announced the new Trade Me API, to produce a mobile Trade Me experience.

The company will announce ten finalists in the New Zealand category and five finalists in the Trade Me category on 8th of November 2010. Winners will be announced on 15th of November 2010.

Microsoft is expected to unveil the much-awaited Windows Phone 7 devices on October 11 at an event in the New York.