Samsung Electronics has unveiled the software development kit (SDK) for its bada smartphone platform that was announced last month.
Samsung says bada, which means “ocean” in Korean, is a driving force in accomplishing its vision of a “smartphone for everyone.”
“In providing Samsung bada, I believe that Samsung will become a true leader in the mobile industry; offering a wider range of smartphone choices for consumers,” said Hosoo Lee, executive vice president and head of the Media Solution Center at Samsung Electronics, in a statement. “At the same time, Samsung bada presents a powerful opportunity for developers to get their applications onto an unprecedented number of Samsung devices across the world.”
Elements of bada include Samsung’s TouchWiz User Interface with face detection, content management and location-based services (LBS). The company says the flexibility of the platform makes it applicable to a wider range of devices than any other mobile operating system.
Attendees at a launch event in London were introduced to the new Samsung bada Developer Challenge that provides developers a chance to win a share of a $2.7 million prize fund. Samsung also is set to announce a series of Developer Days to take place in 2010; those initial events will be held in Seoul, London and San Francisco.
While the mobile operating system represents yet another one among many for developers, Samsung already has developers on board, such as Gameloft. In a press release, Gameloft Chairman and CEO Michel Guillemot is quoted as saying the company views bada as a “new and exciting” digital distribution channels for Gameloft titles.
Separately, LBS software provider deCarta announced a partnership with Samsung to provide developers with location geoservices on the bada platform. Through the partnership, developers will be able to add maps, location-based search and routing instructions to any application designed for bada-enabled mobile phones. Location-powered apps will be available to consumers in the Samsung Application Store in the first half of 2010.
