Samsung opens signups for its apps confab
The electronics giant is especially keen on developers concocting and perfecting applications and services that can span smartphones, tablets, and televisions.
- 30 years experience at tech and consumer publications, print and online. Five years in the US Army as a translator (German and Polish).
Samsung isn't known for its software, but maybe that will change if it can generate a good head of steam among developers.
One big log on the fire will be the electronics giant's first-ever developer conference coming up in October, for which Samsung officially opened up registrations on Monday. The event is intended to foster the creation and cultivation of apps for gadgets near and dear to consumers' hearts and hands.
"Samsung is excited to offer developers a single place to learn how to develop, market, and monetize applications and services that may span smartphones, tablets, and televisions," said WonPyo Hong, president of the Samsung Media Solution Center, in a statement.
Better known as a hardware maker, Samsung recently has been trying to establish its bona fides on the software side. The new Galaxy S4 smartphone, for instance, features a range of apps that build out beyond the Android OS, from Smart Scroll to the Siri-like S Voice, S Translator, and the ChatOn messenger app.
Samsung also has big ambitions for the Tizen operating system whose development the company has been driving as it looks for ways to set its mobile devices apart from the competition and to gain some separation from its reliance on Google and Android.
Areas of focus at the developers' conference will include the following:
- New Samsung software development kits (SDKs) and tools, including S Pen and new features.
- The Samsung Service Platform and services APIs, including ChatOn, Group Play, Samsung AdHub, and Context Aware.
- Smart TV application in multiscreen environments across mobile, tablet, and TV.
- Cross-platform development involving HTML5, Web apps, and more.
- Emerging categories such as gaming.
The inaugural Samsung Developers Conference runs Oct. 27-29 at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Tickets are $299. Samsung first announced the event in July.
