InfoWorld was the first to report that Microsoft has released a new Touchless SDK to help developers kick the tires on multi-touch technology.
But it was TechCrunch that pointed to perhaps a more significant aspect of the release: it's open source.
Released under the Microsoft Public License, the Touchless project is a good example of Microsoft doing its own experimentation around open source. The Touchless SDK isn't a revenue-bearing product, though it could be a way to create products that drive Microsoft revenue, especially given that the SDK only works on Windows today, which could lead to Touchless-created products running on Windows, as well.
Regardless, it's good to see Microsoft doing more of its investigations of new markets using open source. Microsoft was never going to open source cash cows like Windows and Office. But perhaps as it seeks to create new markets or disrupt old markets in which it has yet to hold a dominant share, open source will factor more fundamentally into its plans.
The Guardian has published an insightful piece on Apple's odd relationship with its development community, which I'd recommend for two reasons: it demonstrates both how to and how to not build community.
What do I mean? Well, Apple stonewalled against third-party developers on its mobile devices for years, and now has the same developers drooling over the opportunity to give away a third of their iPhone revenue to Apple (even though they're inhibited from collaborating with each other by Apple's NDA).
How does Apple manage to manipulate its developer base so effectively? Why do people put up with it?
Is [Apple giving its developer community a] great deal? It doesn't matter; if that desirable date finally agrees to dinner, you don't care that they leave you to pick up the bill. Who'd have thought you could emotionally manipulate people over an SDK?
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