[This article was contributed by the SQL Azure team.]

The Windows Azure Platform team is announcing a new Introductory Special here.  Details of the unveiling include a new Introductory Special as part of the Cloud Power campaign that includes 750 free hours of the Windows Azure extra-small instance and 25 hours of the Windows Azure small instance until June 30, 2011.  Also included is the SQL Azure Free Trial which provides the SQL Azure 1GB Web Edition for free for 3 months.

The Windows Azure Platform is opening up entirely new opportunities for both developers and enterprise alike.  The intent of this new offering is to lower the barriers to entrance onto the cloud.  Free time allows developers to experiment and test-run the platform without a need for up-front investment.  It also allows them to leverage their existing .NET, Java and PHP programming skils without having to manage infrastructure and virtualized environments.  Developer can concentrate on doing what they do best, programming and iterating on compelling and innovative applications that move the bar for there business.

To sign up for the offer, please click here.   To see a list of all Windows Azure Platform offers, please visit the Windows Azure Platform offers page.