As it is building its first example of a Cloud operating system, Microsoft has introduced a challenge designed to provide incentives for developers to build .NET and PHP applications on top of Windows Azure. Opened exclusively to US developers, the new CloudApp() challenge promises to give the winning participants exposure through Microsoft's online properties including Azure.com and Channel 9 but also cash prizes. All that contestants will have to do is develop applications tailored to the Azure Services Platform, either in .NET or in PHP.

“For the .NET application category, we want to see a great .NET application running on Windows Azure using ASP.NET or Silverlight to incorporate additional Azure services such as .NET Services and Live Services. Incorporate other Microsoft, 3rd party services, or other cloud services and author a unique web, mobile, or desktop application,” revealed Steven Martin, developer, Platform Product Management. “For the PHP contest category running on Windows Azure, we want to see a PHP application taking interoperability to the next level by integrating with other Azure services, 3rd party web services and APIs, and services provided by other cloud providers.”

Microsoft indicated that Structure 09 would act as the stage for the final episode of the new CloudApp() challenge, as the winners would be announced on June 25. In addition to celebrating the top .NET and PHP applications with a prize of $5,000 Visa gift card each, Microsoft will also offer $2,500 Visa gift card for a community winner. “We are inviting the community of web and software developers to decide the third overall community winner via online voting. This winner will be announced on June 30,” Martin stated.

The new CloudApp() contest opened on April 30, 2009. Developers have until June 18 to submit their applications, with the community voting stage scheduled to kick off the next day, on June 19. On June 25, the winners will be announced, with the community winner made public on June 30, as voting will end on June 29.