Here’s how you can get a free Nokia Lumia 800 (HTML5 developers only)

If you are a HTML5 developer with some bright ideas for apps, Microsoft wants to give you a Nokia Lumia 800. The only condition? You need to submit some approved apps to the Windows Phone Marketplace.

You must also be based in Singapore.

Here are the steps to own your Windows Phone:

1. Follow Spiffy on Twitter and ‘like’ the Spiffy Facebook Page to receive information on this program.
2. Submit your three app ideas to yanmf@microsoft.com with subject “#WhereIsMyLumia”. Include the name and description of your app. The application needs to be implemented using PhoneGap HTML5 mobile framework.
3. If your app is approved, you will be informed through email, along with instructions to pick up your loaner device in our Microsoft Singapore office.
4. You are required to submit one approved application to Marketplace every month, for 3 months – to keep the device. Until then, it’s a loaner device.

Developers are encouraged to utilize native phone functions like the camera and geolocation for their apps. The devices are being given out on a first-come-first-served basis.

For resources on how to get started creating your own Windows Phone app, check out these webpages:

Starting Windows Phone developer with PhoneGap
Windows Phone Developer page
Microsoft Singapore Developer Page

Microsoft Singapore will also be holding free training sessions on 8th to 9th February to get developers familiarized with using the Windows Phone SDK.

It looks like Microsoft and Nokia are pulling all stops to make its Windows Phone ecosystem competitive with Apple and Android. In the US, there are plans to give retail workers cash incentives for selling Windows Phone. The marketing budget in the country alone is about US$200M.

We don’t know if all these carrots will work, but we sure hope the Windows Phone develops into a formidable alternative to the iPhone and Android. It’ll only benefit the consumers.