Microsoft is an aggressive beast.  Not only are they paying developers cash up-front to begin developing games for WP7, but now they are hosting an application suggestion contest.  Here is what Microsoft’s site says they’re doing:

Pitch us your idea of the dream app you’ve been waiting for.  If it gets the votes, we’ll build your app and make it available on Marketplace as a FREE download for Windows Phone 7 shortly after its Holiday 2010 launch.  We’ll also throw in $5,000 and a new Windows Phone 7 device!

Grab a camcorder, camera phone, or flex your writing skills – get creative.  Tell us about the app you want to see on Windows Phone 7.  We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

Contest ends July 8, 2010.

HTC has been strategizing over how they should manage the market race for mobile marketshare.  As of December of 2009, the iPhone and Android have been extinguishing Windows Mobile 6 in the marketplace.  Some fellows at XDA have speculated that HTC will be releasing three new Windows Mobile 7 devices in Q2 or Q3 of 2010:  the HTC Photon, HTC Trophy and HTC Tera.

However, during an open Q&A session with Microsoft in London, the head of Microsoft’s mobile division confirmed that the new mobile phones will NOT be released until LATE 2010.  This usually means Q4.  Remember, Windows Mobile 7 has a lot of catching up to do.  

If you are hesitating on whether or not you should wait for Windows Mobile 7… don’t.  It is going to be a year until it is released.  However, if you want to remain loyal to Microsoft, get an HTC HD2 that runs Windows Mobile 6.5.  Rumor has it that the HD2 will be the first phone to get the Windows Mobile 7 upgrade.