Yesterday, Microsoft started accepting submissions to Windows Marketplace for Mobile, its upcoming on-device application storefront for Windows Mobile smartphones. Certification for apps submitted to the software store is supposed to take around ten business days.

At Windows Marketplace for Mobile, developers set their own prices and receive 70 percent of revenue for each app sold. The annual registration fee is $99. This is good for five submissions. Developers must pay $99 for each app submitted above that number.

Microsoft is holding a contest, the Race to Market Challenge, to encourage developers to submit their wares. Prizes will be given out in four categories: most downloaded, valuable, useful and playful. The last two winners will be picked by a panel of judges.

Each winner gets a Microsoft Surface table, online marketing and promotion, and a "one-of-a-kind" trophy. See here for rules and other information on the challenge.

In related news, rumor has RIM is all set to update its on-device software store, the BlackBerry App World. Information about BlackBerry App World 1.1 was discovered in some documentation for developers.

The docs reveal the update will allows users to install applications on expansion cards, a nice touch that would allow people cart around a lot more software. They will also be able to uninstall or delete an app from their BlackBerry without having to purchase it over again.