Today is a pretty cool day for Windows Mobile developers. Today Microsoft has begun accepting submissions to the all new Windows Marketplace!

Starting today, registered developers and ISVs can upload their application, game or widget to the platform and Microsoft will begin the certification process of them according to their published process, policies and guidelines. They are certifying applications on a First In, First Out basis. The certification process takes about 10 business days but you can always check the status of your application online. If for some reason your application does not get certified you will get a detailed explanation of why so you can try it again. The good news is that Microsoft has published all of the guidelines and policies as well as the tool set they will be using. Frankly, there shouldn’t be too many surprises.

To encourage developers, Microsoft has created a contest named The Race to Market Challenge. The prize? Two winners will get Microsoft Surface tables – the Developer edition no less – along with online marketing and promotion of their application. Oh, and you get a cool trophy as well!

Applications will be judged on:

- Most downloads of a free app
- Most valuable app (downloads x price)
- Most useful (as judged by Microsoft panel)
- Most playful (as judged by Microsoft panel)

The contest ends on December 31, 2009. For more information, visit http://mobilethisdeveloper.com.