Nokia have put a lot of effort into their marketing campaigns, by running TV adverts and program sponsorship. Australia will start seeing “The Amazing Everyday” adverts starting on 1st March and running for a whole month, to promote the Lumia product launch. I have no doubt that Nokia will push the boat out in this market, Just as they have everywhere else.

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AUWP7

There have been several countries that have been left behind when it comes to second generation Windows Phones. Canada is now confirmed to get 2nd generation support from Microsoft, by receiving the HTC Radar, Nokia 710 and 800. That left Australia as one of the larger countries still remaining without any 2nd gen. devices. With device marketshare dropping as well as a slip in mobile browser marketshare, Australia will be getting the shot in the arm they so desperately need to positively reflect the currently small and slow international growth trend of WP. Fortunately for WP and Australia, the arrival of the 2nd generation devices has marked an immediate increase in both statistical markers across Europe. With an Australian market hungry to be unpdated to 2nd gen. devices, WP should see an improvement in sales with 2 new models on the way. Read on past the break to find out which models, where, and when…

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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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