The release of the Microsoft Surface 2.0 software development kit (SDK) next week will be accompanied by the availability of a range of additional resources for the company’s partners and the devs building projects for the next generation tabletop NUI computer from the software giant. MSDN will house the new Microsoft Surface Design and Development Center, Luis Cabrera-Cordón, Platform Program Manager – Microsoft Surface revealed, with the company also gearing up to unveil the new Microsoft Surface Premier Partner Program.
Devs will be able to turn to the new MSDN Center for Surface 2.0 in order to access the Microsoft Surface 2.0 SDK as well as the free online training they’ll need to start developing projects.
According to Microsoft, the Center will also feature forums for developers to interact, various examples of documentation, but also additional training content such as hands on labs, whitepapers and design and interaction guidelines, and even application certification.
“The online training is a course that enables people to learn about planning, designing, developing, testing, and deploying Microsoft Surface 2.0 applications for use on the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface and Windows 7 touch PCs. People proceed through the course at their own pace, or jump directly to the topics which they need,” Cabrera-Cordón stated.
“Hands on labs provide developers and designers with a guided opportunity to start building applications and get familiarized with the Microsoft Surface 2.0 SDK. Design and interaction guidelines, certification, and SDK documentation help outline the best practices for making great touch applications that draw on the power of vision input and object interaction. The developer forums are a place that the Surface development community can share information, get help and support.”
Microsoft is also preparing to put some of its weight behind marketing Microsoft Surface partners. This will happen through the Microsoft Surface Premier Partner Program, designed to centralize PinPoint search results from Microsoft’s Partner Network.
“Partners that have profiled their application or services against the Surface Computing product will automatically flow through to the partner listing based on PinPoints ranking,” Cabrera-Cordón stated.
“If you want to differentiate your organization, we will be highlighting Surface partners that have proven development and design expertise as well as a track record of excellent wins on the platform with customers. These partners will be given the “Premier Partner” designation and will be highlighted up front on surface.com as the partners that have a proven track record with Surface.”
Cabrera-Cordón said that Microsoft considers all of its partners eligible to apply, with those selected being able to benefit from the Premier Partner advantages for no less than a year after they’re approved.
As a reminder, Microsoft Surface 2.0 SDK will become available for download next week, on July 12.