Prepare for Battle:

As a student, DreamSpark gives you access to professional-level developer and designer tools completely free-of-charge. Plus, you’ll get limited free access to App Hub and Marketplace. You will need a Windows Live ID to register for DreamSpark. Don’t have one? Register for a Windows Live ID here. You will need access to both App Hub and Marketplace to complete your entry into the competition.

To enter Battle of the Apps, you will have to upload your app to Marketplace. It’s a good idea to begin registration as soon as possible because the process can take up to 10 days to complete.

The Developer Toolkit includes everything you need to develop apps for Windows Phone 7, including: The Windows Phone 7 Emulator, Visual Studio Express 2010, Silverlight, Xna Game Studio 4.0, Expression Blend, and the .Net Framework. Please note that all Windows Phone 7 apps must conform to the App Spec Sheet, so they’ll perform across all applicable mobile platforms.

Arm yourself with helpful resources to accelerate your development process.

Now that you‘ve registered for your free Dreamspark account, you can submit your apps for certification at App Hub at no-cost for one year. Submit your app as soon as possible because the certification process can take up to five days. At the end of the certification process, you’ll be asked if you wish to put your app on Marketplace. Upload your app and be among the first to have a Windows Phone 7 app on Marketplace!

Tell your app’s story by uploading a video demo or photos of your app in action. Your app will be judged by a panel of judges, but you can get your friends to vote on your app to get their attention. You can also increase your chances of winning by submitting multiple apps. Good luck!