WPDownUnder-DevROI-Calc

The Tool allows for the entry of cost variables for the Developer (Billable Hours, Hourly Rate, Other costs eg Handset or Marketplace DevHub annual fees). It then, depending on both the deducted MS fees and relevant tax structures, estimates the net revenue to the Developer based on two important factors.
1. The price point the App is positioned at – with some pre-defined rates and one variable (custom entry option) and
2. the relative impact to conversion rates to paid apps that the various price points may overlay.

If you do use it let us know what you think of this tool ( get it here Excel Spreadsheet )

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Long Zheng has gone through the Windows Phone Mango Beta 2 build for developers and have noticed that some of the features that were blocked for users in Australia like Bing Local search are now available on the Mango build.

Here’s what works in the current Mango build when the system region is set to English (United Kingdom) and search region is set to English (Australia) like the default without the region hack.

• Improved: Speech recognition now supports the full function set (calling, texting, Bing search)
• Improved: Bing Maps now shows local search listings (e.g. Bunnings) with basic information (address search still tend to default to UK, add state or “Australia” to search to lock to Australia)
• New: Bing Local Scout works
• New: Bing Maps directions works with tap-by-tap voice guidance including street names (with British pronunciations)
• New: Bing Local search works (pivot in Bing)
• New: Bing Vision works (with conditions, below)
• New: Speech-to-text and text-to-speech text messaging works

Hopefully this is true for more regions and not just Australia. Good times ahead for Windows Phone :)

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Here is some good news to all Aussie WP7 developers. Windows Phone 7 Australia wants to crown one of you developer ” Windows Phone 7 App Champion ” and there are some perks that comes along with the title. You will be awarded a ticket to MIX11 in Las Vegas, including flights and accommodation. . Five Runners Up in the contest will get a new HTC 7 Mozart device and every one who participates walks away with a Windows Phone 7 T-shirt. Sounds good ? sure does to us ..

Here is what you have to do

1. Submit your app to the Windows Phone Marketplace
2. Head over to this site and enter the competition. To be eligible you will need to include the link to your app and the email address used when submitting the app
3. Your app then needs to be approved and available for download off Marketplace by 9am March 14th 2011.

The contest started at 9am (EST) 17/12/2010 and if your app was submitted after that then I am guessing you are ok to enter , its best to contact them directly ausmsdn@microsoft.com to find out more ) . The Contest Closes: 11:59pm (EST) 28/02/2011 and Judging will be at : 9am (EST) 14/03/2011

Your App will be judged by
Nick Randolph ( @BTRoam )
Dave Glover ( @dglover )
David Powell
Jennifer Wilson ( @JenWilsonSydney )
Sheau-Lan Reed

You can also find the official Facebook Page here . Good Luck you guys .

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Here is a new Windows Phone 7 ad that has come up for Australia. We have seen a few ads for WP7 over time ( Glance and Go , Lawrence of Arabia, Meet Anna .. ). I haven’t seen this ad on the TV yet.. have you ?

via windowsaustralia on Youtube, you might also want to check us on Youtube for WP7 App and game videos.

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Aus Post

“We’re very proud to be one of the first apps showcased on the Windows Phone 7

I think Telstra’s Telstra One and Deck of Secrets ( don’t have much info on their WP7 App, except that its developed by David Burela ) , were two of the first one I have heard about.

With Australia Post’s WP7 App users will be able to search for a postcode and find out the cost to send their mail item in Australia or overseas additional features including the ability to track domestic and international mail articles, locate the closest post office or street posting box and pay a variety of bills to be added in the coming weeks.

via auspost.com.au big thanks to MobilityDigest for the Tip. Image via abc.net.au

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We did tell you guys a while ago there was a rumor about Telstra getting the HTC Mozart WP7 device. At least according to the tipster on Engadget Telstra is getting WP7 on 21-10-10 , it looks like we might see the HTC Mozart and an LG WP7 device.

windows-phone-7-telstra

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Windows Phone 7

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Finally we can see some buzz around Windows Phone 7 in Melbourne. If you are in Melbourne and have used the public transport you would have come across the mX Newspaper. For the uninitiated here is the a wiki copy paste.

mX is an Australian free afternoon daily newspaper in the cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, owned and produced by News Limited. Targeted at commuters, its main channels of distribution are inner-city railway stations, tram and bus stops, and major CBD intersections.

Matt Sun ( If you got a twitter account give us a shout , @1800PocketPC ) have featured an article about Windows Phone 7. The article does not talk about any specifics but the general things we WP7 enthusiasts have heard about over the couple of months. I was hoping to see a more specific release date , carrier specific news , etc but it just says the device from multiple OEM’s will be launched later this year. Come on Microsoft Australia give us a date / month already !!!

So did u pick up mX today ? Did you read about WP7 ? Are you excited about it ?

Thanks for the Tip @ShabasMuhammed

mX-Newspaper-WP7

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HTC HD7-concept

Taiwanese phone Company HTC who virtually dumped the manufacture of Windows Mobile phones in favour of Google Android based models is set to launch a new HD3 Windows Phone 7 in London on the 15th of September at a two hour function being held at the Hyatt Hotel.

One have to guess where they get their info from when they make claims like ..” HTC who virtually dumped the manufacture of Windows Mobile ” but we did know that HTC was planning an event for Sep 15th and with the rumored release date of October for WP7 ( in Europe ), it looks quite possible that HTC will unveils its HTC HD3 ( which could be called the HTC HD7 ( see why )

HTC HD7 Specs

Codenamed 6HTHD7XM, the device has a 4.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen (with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels), a dual core 1.5GHz ARM-based processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB storage, Wi-Fi, 4G, an 8-megapixel camera with two LED flashes, HDMI port and HD recording capabilities, a 1800mAh battery, all in a 10mm thick enclosure.

The device which when it goes on sale in Australia is tipped to be given to Telstra on an exclusive 3 month contract after the national carrier had a lot of success selling the power hungry HTC HD2 Windows Mobile based phone.

Note : they have not provided any source for this info , so keep in mind this is just a Rumor at this stage

Updated 23/09/2010 : Official HD7 Specs

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Domain WP7 App

Along with the Telstra One WP7 app, another Aussie WP7 App was demoed at TechED Australia 2010.

Domain is one of Australia’s leading destinations for property seekers and they have come up with a Windows Phone 7 App ( they also have an iPhone version in the market ) and the guys from TechEd have caught the app in action on video.

Features :

• Access to search on Rental or Sale properties and not only filter that list
• Ability to sort the results
• Save your shortlist of properties
• View property photos in portrait or landscape
• Book an appointment with the property manager right from within the app

Click for Video

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