Win prizes!

Motorola motorola has introduced the MOTO VE66, a mobile phone with built-in support for web widgets.

Widgets can include real-time stock values, mobile translators, weather reports or nearly any other application.

But they have to come from somewhere, and most mobile app developers have their hands full dealing with the competitive — but potentially profitable — iPhone SDK and Android platforms.

To inflate outset interest, Motorola is offering prizes, including cash, to those that can develop the best mobile apps. The "Widget Developer Challenge"is open to all registered MOTODEV developers and will accept submissions until Feb. 27, 2009.

Winners will be announced in the spring and shall receive global exposure for their achievement. The Grand Prize winner gets $25,000, and $7,500 will be awarded to winners in the following categories, among others: Best Local Content, Best Use of APIs, Best Widget in News, Sports.

But fame will be short-lived: Motorola plans to ditch the Linux operating platform by the end of next year and use the Android platform for all mid- to high-end phones, making the idea of promoting this platform rather silly, writes Silicon Alley Insider.

But Motorola hasn't necessarily been known for fully rational maneuvres in the mobile space. Its mobile sales have shriveled 30% year-over-year to the point; it now holds just 8.4% of the market. In July, it separated its mobile unit from other operations and reportedly also plans to cancel several models.

Earlier this year, Motorola pondered leaving the mobile business entirely. Weeks later, it announced an investment in INVIDI Technologies, marking an experimental foray into television ad targeting.