Samsung Mobile Innovator today released a software developer kit (SDK) for its TouchWiz user interface. Up until now, the TouchWiz UI has been a closed system, allowing users a fixed number of widgets with no room to expand.  

According to a press release, the new SDK will allow developers to create widgets for Samsung phones across multiple platforms, including Samsung’s propriety operating system.

“Samsung fully recognizes the challenges that developers face to develop and market mobile applications to consumers and businesses,” said Omar Khan, senior vice president of strategy and product management, at Samsung Telecommunications America.

Through the Samsung Mobile Innovator program, developers have real-time, 24/7 access to Samsung’s Virtual Device Lab, where they can check out and remotely test their applications on all current Samsung phones.

Samsung said the SDK also includes a variety tools, including the TouchWiz user interface, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Java. Samsung will offer developers the opportunity to pitch ideas directly to Samsung. The widgets have the potential to be included on Samsung devices as well as through other channels such as the Samsung Widget Gallery and Samsung’s own Application Store.

The Samsung Omnia II, which will be available with Verizon Wireless later this year, will be Samsung’s first handset to include the Widget Gallery.