With third generation HP TouchSmart PCs thriving in the market and a Windows 7 OS that's brought touch computing to the forefront of consumers minds, there's no better time than now to create and add your application(s) to the TouchSmart. Now, with HP's TouchSmart SDK, next generation developers can integrate applications directly into the TouchSmart software suite. In fact, I have a several reasons why you'll want to develop applications specifically for TouchSmart PCs...

1.  A real touch focus - Although Windows 7 came out of the box with touch capabilities included, its interface cannot be considered as a "touch centric." The HP TouchSmart PC provides developers with an interface solely focused on the touch experience (aka 10 feet UI) which is meant to utilize touch enabled user interfaces. When you need to showcase your touch application, the HP TouchSmart PC is an excellent platform for application development.


2. Enormous possibilities for touch-centric applications - Touch has added new a dimension to human/machine interaction. There are various usage scenarios where touch fits better than conventional I/O devices like a keyboard and mouse. Imagine a doctor running into an Emergency Room to quickly look up a CAT scan report of a recently admitted patient, or a busy Mom or Dad cooking dinner while wanting to catch the evening news or watch a TV program - these are real life examples where touch is more ideal than traditional interface methods. That is why there are enormous possibilities available for touch-based application development.


3. Easy development process - With the HP TouchSmart SDK 3.0 and Windows 7 touch API's, TouchSmart application development is easy, scalable, and fun! TouchSmart SDK 3.0 helps you use your application(s) in the TouchSmart shell, which seamlessly integrates your application into the TouchSmart touch-focused user interface.
   
   I also need to mention that the TouchSmartDevZone community is a great developer resource. It has members around the globe consisting of a wide variety of developers, including hobbyists, freelancers, independent software vendors (ISV's) and HP developers. TouchSmartDevZone members can interact, work together, share ideas and code, and more.


4. Great investment for the future and a real learning opportunity - Developing applications for TouchSmart PCs is a very promising investment. As touchscreen hardware becomes  essential to consumer, we will see a great rise in demand for touch centric applications. As always, HP is standing as a market leader in touch technology. HP TouchSmart PC's are excellent, all-in-one slim form-factor, multi-touch capable PCs with very affordable price points. It's certainly possible that before long, touch capable PCs will lead their non-touchable counterparts.
   
   HP encourages using the WPF framework for TouchSmart application development because it will add another great UI tool to your programming arsenal. If you closely observe the desktop development domain, Microsoft's focus is now toward the versatile WPF framework. Developing applications for the HP TouchSmart PC can give developers excellent exposure to the WPF framework, the primary desktop application development technology on Microsoft's platform going forward. 


5. It's fun, too! - Using or developing touch interfaces are both fun. No convoluted menus, no annoying pop-ups and you can easily zoom (just by a touch or two!!) to avoid eyes strain. The TouchSmart interface provides a great way to develop a neat, easy to use user interfaces (UI) experience you and others will enjoy.


6. Revenue generation possibilities - There are multiple revenue generation possibilities for your TouchSmart applications. HP has its ISV program (HP Interactive Solutions ISV Partner Program) in place. It supports ISVs who are interested in developing applications to complement, extend and/or enhance the HP TouchSmart PC and Digital Signage products. You can also leverage multiple online resources (like Digital River or http://www.swreg.org/ ) that can be used to showcase and sell your applications. For developers who are willing to just showcase their applications, you can upload and share your applications or source code right at the TouchSmart Dev Zone website.

So... what are you waiting for? Go get a large cup of coffee and your favorite snack, download TouchSmart SDK 3.0 , install it on your TouchSmart PC, and you're all set!

Happy Coding

Aditya Shukla "Shuk"