HP opens TouchSmart to third-party developers

Got a touchy-feely idea you'd like to see on HP's TouchSmart PC? Then by golly, it's about time you got to work! HP has recently released its TouchSmart Application Developer Guidelines to third-party developers, enabling anyone with drive, ambition and skill (all three, not just one or two) to create their own "touch-friendly applications that integrate and run within the TouchSmart Software suite." To generate buzz and give you a little motivation, the TouchSmart Community is offering one fortunate dev a trip to CES 2009, where they'll be able to demo their software in front of the gadget world (and us!). For all the details, be sure and give the read link a visit -- crack those knuckles, it's time to code.

[Jake Lyon @ Nov 1st 2008 1:23PM]

Thank god. I had played around with one of these things for close to an hour and seriously, I could see myself just closing the their main touch center app and treating it like a normal computer. While the attempt to merge normal computer activities with touch screen was great, I don't think they nailed it quite down...YET. This being opened up might change that to whoever buys this thing and has gone back to mouse and keyboard and an occasional tap to close a window or something.

What do I know though, I only played with it for an hour.

[Julian @ Nov 1st 2008 1:32PM]

I played around with one in store and found it really primitive and too early for development, no use buying one of these when you can get a great nontouch desktop for the price. Hopefully the 3rd party developers will make it much better.

[MioTheGreat @ Nov 1st 2008 1:38PM]

And Microsoft will release tools for Windows 7 next year, and this will all (hopefully. HP generally can't do software right) fade into nothingness.

[Bloobie @ Nov 1st 2008 1:55PM]

Exactly. HP's approach is just an interim patch, so to speak, until MS releases Windows 7 with multitouch built-in.

[Quikboy @ Nov 1st 2008 4:30PM]

It would be neat if Microsoft added a Surface-like multi-touch software, and developers can create some neat apps to add-on to it. HP's TouchSmart software is neat, and maybe some elements could go into Microsoft's version, but HP's version is just limited to their computers.

[zMike @ Nov 1st 2008 6:26PM]

Ive already seen 3rd party apps out there: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks10Y7BVfRs

[Patrick @ Nov 1st 2008 1:48PM]

cool!

[John H. @ Nov 1st 2008 2:09PM]

dude...seriously

[Patrick @ Nov 1st 2008 2:52PM]

yes, seriously. i like these computers. this will help them

[Valicore @ Nov 1st 2008 3:01PM]

John: I actually though it was a perfectly fine comment. Even though it was one word, it at least related to the product. It's a lot better than the normal one worders: "first" "pwned" "crysis" "fail" "stupid".

[Valicore @ Nov 1st 2008 2:56PM]

TouchSmart looks pretty cool in HP's commercials, but it doesn't seem to have a lot of functionality. It reminds of of HTC's TouchFlo actually. It'd be cool if some developer out there was able to come up with a few killer applications that would make it more... useful.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 1st 2008 3:26PM]

The TouchSmart is cool, but I think it'll go into it's prime when it uses Windows 7. Vista= meh.

[chickenator @ Nov 1st 2008 5:55PM]

DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS!

[Samboini @ Nov 1st 2008 6:23PM]

The power of 3?

[Jamesey @ Nov 2nd 2008 11:35AM]

I like the physical, minimal setup of the touchsmart but I dont think anyone really wants to be within an arms length of their computer every time they use it. I played with one at best buy and it was neat in a gimmicky way.
I'd be perfectly happy with a touchsmart without the touch part.

Also I run linux (ubuntu) and would love to see that running on this.