Developers: August User Group Sweepstakes Begin, 10 unlocked Samsung Focuses up for grabs!

Do you like being rewarded for your work? As a Windows Phone developer, you probably strive for more than just a paycheck at the end of each month. You want to feel satisfied and if you can't get none, then maybe winning a free unlocked Samsung Focus will ease your craving. This is the August version of the same sweepstakes from the Windows Phone 7 User Group we talked about last month, and it's entry period has already opened and will remain open until August 31st, 2011 at 11:59 PM.

Same rules apply: you need to be a registered developer and publish a new app in the Marketplace this month. After that you can enter the sweepstakes from here and use the event code VIL12. Also, each app you submit counts towards another ticket for you to raise your chances. Not bad, eh? So if you're prepping those Mango app submissions for that August 22nd deadline, keep this giveaway in mind and you'll have plenty of chances to win a new device!

Source: Windows Phone 7 User Group

Developers: Enter the User Group Sweepstakes and you could win an unlocked Samsung Focus!

Who doesn't want a free phone? Even better, there are 10 unlocked Samsung Focus's up for grabs! So how do you get one? By entering the Windows Phone 7 User Group Sweepstakes. If you're an active developer for Windows Phone already, the steps should be pretty simple:

1. You need a Windows Phone developer account.
2. You have to develop an app for WP7.
3. You have to publish that app to the Marketplace.
4. Fill out the form and use event code VIL12.
5. That's it!

This offer won't last forever: the sweepstakes close submissions on July 31, 2011 at 11:59pm. So if you're interested, check out the site for your chance to win a free Windows Phone!

Source: Windows Phone 7 User Group Sweepstakes

Deal: Dell Venue Pro's starting at $0.99 on contract, Unlocked for $299

Alright, we'll confess: we are utterly enamored by the Dell Venue Pro. From the hardware perspective, the phone is one of the most distinct in the market and is one of the few first-generation Windows Phone devices to feel 'premium' compared to others. It's a damn shame that the device has had so many software bugs that have detracted what should have otherwise been a solid device.

But with a major software update on the horizon to quell many of the issues that have hampered the phone, right now might be a good time to pick up the device. Well we have some good news for prospective buyers: the Dell Venue Pro just got its pricetag slashed significantly across the board. Here's the pricing breakdown:

• T-Mobile version (with new 2-year contract):
• 8 GB - $0.99
• 16 GB - $49.99
• 32 GB - $99.99
• Unlocked T-Mobile or AT&T-compatible version (no-contract required):
• 16 GB - $299.99

If you're holding out for a Mango phone we wouldn't blame you if you passed up on this deal. However, if you're hoping to get your hands on a Mango phone made by Dell the outlook doesn't look very good, so you may just want to settle for the Dell Venue Pro while it's still cheap. If you're interested, head on over to the Dell website to order yours now.

Via: WPCentral
Source: Dell

Verizon Giving Away Trophy, Xbox 360 console, Games, Gift Card and more!

Want to get a Verizon HTC Trophy but don't have the cash? Well Big Red has got your back, and now you can try your luck for a giveaway sweepstakes for the first Windows Phone on their network. Oh, but that's not all. If you win the grand prize you're going to get a Trophy in addition to a Xbox 360 console, three Xbox 360 games, a voucher for 8000 Xbox Live points (worth $100), and finally a $125 Verizon gift card to get some discounted accessories for your phone too. If you don't win the grand prize, you'll still have a chance to be one of 10 first place winners that will receive 1600 Xbox Live points (worth $20).

Sign up for the giveaway here but hurry up because submissions close on July 13th, 2011.

Source: Verizon Wireless

Deal: Fast-paced action game 'Orb' on sale for Free--Today Only

We're suckers for good looking games and so we had to do a double take when we spotted Orb in the Marketplace. The games was developed by Palladium Power and its slick tile art held up pretty well once we started the game. In short, the graphics are flipping gorgeous--they're stylish and have a total cool factor. If you want a better idea of what those graphics are meant to be doing, here's a description of the game:

ORB is a fast-paced 2D action game requiring skill to keep your rolling ball on solid tiles and to not fall down. Use fans to jump across large gaps and boost fields to get the full thrill. But take care to not run into dangerous mines or getting pushed into a hole by a slider. Compete with others at the global Online Highscore!

Are you interested so far? Then we have good news for you: Palladium Power is offering the full game for free! The deal appears to be in commemoration of the latest v2.0 release which is said to have really kicked things into high gear. But if you want the game for free you better hurry: Orb is only free for today, June 13th 2011. After that the game will be available for $1.29 along with a free trial. See Orb v2.0 in action below and see it in the Marketplace by clicking on the tile after that.

Orb Palladium Power FREE (Sale) $1.29 + Trial (Regular) Version 2.0

Source: Orb (Palladium Power)

Deal: HTC HD7S for $49.99 at Best Buy

In the market for the all new HTC HD7S? Well today is your lucky day! Best Buy is offering up the AT&T-ready 4.3" monster for a mere $49.99 with a two-year contract. Considering that AT&T itself is asking about four times that amount, we'd say this is a really phenomenal deal. If interested, check it out at the Best Buy product page via the source link.

Via: PocketNow
Source: Best Buy

Deal: Microsoft Online Store Selling Windows Phones for $0.01 for New or Existing Customers

Microsoft has decided to join T-Mobile, AT&T and the other 3rd-party retailers offering deep discounts on Windows Phones with some offers of their own. Right now via the Microsoft online store you can purchase either a Sprint HTC Arrive, T-Mobile HTC HD7, or Verizon HTC Trophy for $0.01, plus free shipping which always rocks. However, unlike those other places offering discounts these deals are not limited to new customers only; you can also pick up a free Windows Phone if you're adding a new line or upgrading your contract! If you just can't wait until Fall, feel free to check out the offer for yourself (expires July 2, 2011) and take the plunge knowing that your device will be upgraded to Mango regardless of old hardware.

Via: WPCentral
Source: Microsoft

Deal: T-Mobile HD7 Available for Free for Limited Time

Looks like T-Mobile realized that their soon-to-be-stepfather, AT&T, was cramping their style with their "new" HD7S. So they did what any angst-filled teenager does best: they rebelled, and now you can get your hands on the original HD7 for free. There are a few caveats that come along with this deal: for one the low price only applies to new customers, and for another this deal is online-only and expires this Thursday, June 9th. So if you want to get your hands on a dirt-cheap Windows Phone on your favorite magenta-colored carrier, visit the HD7 product page at the source link.

Source: T-Mobile

Deal: Get a $25 Amazon Gift Card When You Purchase a Windows Phone

Man is it a good time to pick up a Windows Phone! AmazonWireless just began a pretty sweet promotion on their already cheap Windows Phone selection: if you pick one up from them before June 30th, 2011 you will receive a free Amazon Gift Card worth $25. We shop on Amazon pretty frequently, and $25 is a pretty nice incentive. Plus Amazon has every Windows Phone available for much lower prices, except for the AT&T HTC HD7S. Don't lose hope if you were planning to pick up that behemoth: the terms and conditions of the deal clearly states that all Windows Phones sold by AmazonWireless are eligible. So when the device officially launches June 5th, you should be able to pick it up and snag that $25 gift card as well. Here's the list of phones available along with pricing of each on a new 2-year contract and if you see something you like, hit up the source link.

• AT&T - HTC Surround - $0.01
• AT&T - LG Quantum - $0.01
• AT&T - Samsung Focus - $0.01
• Sprint - HTC Arrive - $0.01
• T-Mobile - HTC HD7 - $29.99
• Verizon - HTC Trophy - $99.99

Via: WPCentral
Source: AmazonWireless

Buy a Windows Phone, Get $40 Off Microsoft Office 2010

Microsoft has been pretty generous with Windows Phone promotions lately like the 90-day free Zune Pass offer for AT&T Windows Phones (which is still active). Earlier this week, Microsoft announced yet another promotion, this time offering a promo code worth $40 off of a Microsoft Office 2010 software package. You must be a resident of the United States and have purchased a Windows Phone from any of the four carriers. The offer is valid for any Windows Phone purchases made between May 15th and June 30th so if you're planning to pick up a Verizon Trophy next week or an AT&T HD7S the week after, you can save some precious dough when you pick up Microsoft's latest and greatest productivity suite. If you're going back to school once Summer ends, having an awesome Windows Phone and a shiny new copy of Microsoft Office 2010 should make the pain easier to manage.

Source: Windows Phone Microsoft Office Redemption

Buy an AT&T Windows Phone and Get 90 Days of Zune Pass for Free

Announced via Windows Phone's official Twitter account, Microsoft is running another really sweet promotion for AT&T handsets. If you happen to purchase either the Samsung Focus, the LG Quantum or the HTC Surround between May 2, 2011 (today) through June 26, 2011 you're eligible for a free 90 days of Zune Pass streaming music. Pretty sweet, right? If you can check every box on the list, check out the site at the source link below.

By the way, right now is quite an excellent time to buy a Windows Phone on AT&T. The Samsung Focus and LG Quantum are both on sale for $49 on a new two-year contract. So if you were sitting on the fence before, you can get quite the capable Windows Phone in your hands for a price that won't break the bank and get 90 days of Zune Pass for free. Not too shabby.

Via: @windowsphone
Source: Zune Pass Offer, Focus and Quantum Sale

Reminder: Microsoft's Big Box of Awesome Ends Tonight!

Microsoft has a really sweet contest on Facebook called the "Big Box of Awesome" which we've talked about before on the site. This is just a friendly reminder that the contest ends tonight, May 2nd at 11:59pm PST. Don't worry, entering the contest is pretty easy and only takes a few minutes as long as you have a Facebook account.

To enter the contest, visit Microsoft's Facebook page.

Oh, and just in case you forgot what prizes you could nab here's the full list (and it's totally worth it):

• Samsung Focus™ Windows® Phone
• Samsung 9 Series Notebook
• Samsung 46" LED TV
• Xbox® 360 250 GB Console with Kinect™
• Windows® 7 Home Premium
• Microsoft Office Professional 2010
• Microsoft Arc™ Touch mouse
• XBox Live® 12-month Gold Membership
• 3 Kinect-enabled Games (Dance Central, Kinect Sports, Kinectimals)
• Wireless N Router

Source: Microsoft's Big Box of Awesome (Facebook)

Enter Microsoft's Big Box of Awesome to Win a Samsung Focus, Other Tech Goodies

Microsoft apparently just launched a new contest called "Microsoft's Big Box of Awesome" and it is indeed just that. Not only will the grand prize net you a shiny new Samsung Focus with WP7, you're getting a bunch of other sweet stuff too including an Xbox 360 + Kinect system, the Samsung Series 9 notebook, a 46" Samsung LED TV, and tons more.

The contest ends on May 2nd at 11:59pm PDT and you must 18 years of age or older and be a resident of the United States. If you want to try your luck check out the contest's Facebook page (contest requires that you have an account) and drool at the full list of prizes below.

• Samsung Focus™ Windows® Phone
• Samsung 9 Series Notebook
• Samsung 46" LED TV
• Xbox® 360 250 GB Console with Kinect™
• Windows® 7 Home Premium
• Microsoft Office Professional 2010
• Microsoft Arc™ Touch mouse
• XBox Live® 12-month Gold Membership
• 3 Kinect-enabled Games (Dance Central, Kinect Sports, Kinectimals)
• Wireless N Router

Via: @WindowsPhone
Source: Microsoft's Big Box of Awesome (Facebook)