14 DAY TRIAL // Aside from having released the impressive 48 IA experimental chip, the Santa Clara, California-based Intel has also announced a beta version of its Atom Developer Program Software Development Kit that is compatible with Windows and Moblin (a Linux-based OS) operating systems. The beta SDK will enable developers to create new applications that will take advantage and be optimized for the company's future Atom processors. In addition, the chip maker is considering opening up an app store as well, which will benefit both consumers and apps developers.
“Consumer adoption of mobile computing and Atom-based netbooks is growing rapidly, and there is an immediate opportunity for developers to capitalize on the popularity of these small form-factor, on-the-go devices,” said Renee James, corporate vice president and general manager, Intel Software and Services Group. “We are excited about the innovation and energy from developers around creating applications and unlocking new uses for Atom platforms.”
Available for download right through this link, the Beta version of the new Atom SDK is compatible with both Microsoft Windows (C and C++) and Moblin (C) operating systems. In addition to the SDK, the world's leading chip maker is offering incentives to those developers that will begin submitting their applications for validation, a process that will enable them to enter the company's revenue-generation program, in 2010. Basically, once these applications are validated, they'll be made available through the upcoming App Store that Intel plans to debut sometime next year.
Intel's App Store is somewhat similar to that of the famous Apple Store, as the developer will get 70 percent of the revenue, from the sale, while the other 30 percent will go into the operational costs and partner costs. However, there's no exact date for when the new Intel App Store will be available to the public, but the chip maker said it's rushing things and working with OEMs to bring the App Store as a pre-installed option, on the upcoming Pine Trail netbooks.