Microsoft launched a “Porting Challenge”, inviting developers who have used the PhoneGap framework to create apps for another platform to bring them to Windows Phone 8.

The competition is open to those with an app available in a “non-Windows Phone app store” – such as Apple’s App Store, Google Play, BlackBerry World, or stores targeting Bada, Symbian or Palm OS.

It is open until June 2013, although apps need to be in the Windows Phone Store by this time – which means passing an approvals process.

Titles must comply with Microsoft’s store terms and conditions, have initially been developed using Apache Cordova (known as PhoneGap), and must be original.

The competition will be judged by “a panel from Microsoft, Adobe PhoneGap and industry experts”, based on the criteria of originality and innovation; intuitiveness and ease of use; and look and feel and visual appeal.

First prize is a Nokia Windows Phone 8 smartphone and a Surface Pro tablet, while 17 runners-up will win a smartphone.