Samsung's TouchWiz opened up to developers
updated 12:10 pm EDT, Mon August 17, 2009
TouchWiz SDK launched
Samsung on Monday announced it will make a Software Development Kit (SDK) available to developers, which will finally lead to the creation of new widgets for the company's TouchWiz user interface. So far, there were just only about 15 applications available preloaded on the cross-platform UI, depending on the OS it's being used for. TouchWiz can be downloaded to Samsung handsets running on Symbian, Windows Mobile, or Samsung's own OS. Registered developers can download the Eclipse-based SDK from the Samsung Mobile Innovator website.
Samsung will host its first Widget Develop Camp in mid-September, which will challenge selected developers to develop widgets in five different categories over the course of 24 hours, with cash rewards, including a $20,000 top prize and $5,000 for each of the category winners.
Applications that make the cut, or widgets as Samsung calls them, may be either preloaded on future Samsung devices or made available through the Samsung Widget Gallery or the Samsung Application Store. Samsung's Omnia II, due for a release at Verizon Wireless in the near future, will be the first handset to ship with the Widget Gallery.
