Geekonomics

First 100 Intel Atom App developers to win tricked-out Netbook, chance to go GDC 2010

Nov 11, 2009 09:27

The Intel Atom Developer Program has just made the alpha version of its Atom Software Development Kit (SDK) available for download for Microsoft Windows (C & C++) and Moblin (C only).

While some developers may be wondering about the need for an Atom Developer Program, especially since apps on Netbooks can be the same as normal notebook ones, this business opportunity for developers will be a lot clearer when one realizes that:

• There will be an Intel app store to promote and distribute your apps.


• This is a unique market size of more than 35 million Netbook users (and counting).


• Atom devices will also include Mobile Internet Devices such as smart phones.


• You can even list and sell components for other developers on this app store.


• Manufacturers such as Dell and Acer will likely be using this as their app store, instead of managing their own.

This geek thinks that when the first apps are rolled out, the value proposition for these software specially designed for the Netbook will become a lot more obvious.

There will be a software validation period of roughly about seven days, not so much about the functionality of your software or to help you iron out bugs, but to make sure your app doesn't come with malware, and that it installs and uninstalls correctly, and so on.

I think I heard that Intel conceived this program in 82 days and launched the Alpha SDK in 49 days. That's amazingly fast, especially for a hardware player. Looks like it is applying Moore's Law to the software industry as well. While the numbers for profit share are not out yet, it looks like developers will get to keep 70 percent of the revenue.

So if you are still hesitating over developing on another new platform, my advice is that having more distribution for your apps is always better. And if you need some incentive, the first 100 apps to get validated will receive a tricked-out Netbook, and the talented developers with the most innovative application and elegant application design will win an all expense-paid "rock star treatment" trip to GDC 2010. Check here for more details.

Now, excuse me while I go lock myself in the room to work on my world-changing Atom Netbook application.

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