Working on an app? Register Windows 8 App Clinics

Combining the broad reach of Windows, best-in-class developer tools, a reimagined user experience, support for new chipsets, and a built-in Store with industry-leading business terms – Windows 8 is the largest developer opportunity, ever.

But now what? In Belgium we have announced a series of developer camps, webcasts and MIC calls for projects. These activities will allow you to dive technically into the platform to support you in building apps. However, you probably need more.

What about testing on more than one device? What about discussing the best UX and experience to integrate with Metro? And most importantly, what about getting that access to the Windows Store and publish an app?
The answers are the App Clinics. Meet with the Microsoft Evangelists and consultants to discuss ideas, the app, architecture, the platform, UX and technical questions. It’s an open discussion and allows you to be ready for the next step: passing an App Excellence Lab with a Microsoft engineer, the last step before getting access to the Windows Store as a developer.

Are you actively working on a Windows 8 Metro app? Have an idea but are not sure what the next step is? Join us at an App Clinic and we’ll help you move to the next stage.

Windows 8 for ISVs: Looking back & Moving forward

Friday Last Week we gave the ISVs a peek on the possibilities of our new Windows Operating System, number 8 already! The location of our Win8 for ISVs event was Sportoase Leuven. Skies were blue as if it was mid-summer so I grabbed the opportunity (and bike) with two hands and left the car where it was. Arriving at the venue 8 minutes l8er it became clear we were not alone there. The Windows 8 developer day took place in the same building and BeLux developers were well represented during the technical tracks.

At 15:00 the ISV track took off with an introduction of Giorgio Sardo, providing a vision on the future with Windows 8. Knowing what the future can look like for your company is good, getting there is another thing. Nick Trogh, Christophe Van Mollenkot and Kurt Claeys provided these insights and showed the way to go.

Find the slides of these topics on our Skydrive:

• Metro Design – Your ticket to ride
• Selling your apps to millions of customers
• Devices and Services
• How to prepare your apps for Windows 8

This event was the Kick-off of a whole series of upcoming Windows 8 events/workshops/training. Check out the Windows 8 Metro Map and find out what’s still coming. Keep an eye on our blog to get the subscription info for these upcoming events.

In the meantime, get a first hand experience and download your free customer preview and SDK.

MIC Brussels organizes Windows 8 project call

Last week was memorable for Microsoft BeLux: first we launched the Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) Vlaanderen, and at the end of the week we organized our Windows 8 anchor event for developers and ISVs!  In the slipstream of these events, MIC Brussels is launching a Windows 8 project call with the first info session this Wednesday, March 28. 

We are looking for companies, developers, startups and students willing to join the program and receive training and guidance in building an app. Come and see how Windows 8 Metro style apps could mean a huge potential and new business for you !!!

From the 28th of March until June, you are offered with a series of training sessions, coaching and app excellence certification labs designed to help companies and developers get their apps on Windows 8 Metro!

Get your Windows 8 Consumer Preview

I bet you are all ready for the hands on experience of Windows 8. Try the Windows 8 consumer preview and see for yourself how apps are at the center of Microsofts’ newest Windows OS.

Have your free Windows 8 preview here.

As Windows 8 is all about apps, we would like to give our Dev partners a heads up start and help you building your first Metro Style Apps. Hereunder you will find the info , the tools and the live SDK to back you up in creating stellar Apps. Time to start playing!

Explore the Documentation

Our docs are optimized to make you more productive. Discover everything you need to plan, build, and sell great apps.

Read the Developer Guide

Windows 8 Consumer Preview introduces many powerful features for developers. Discover the new features for Desktop, Web, and Metro style app developers.

Download the tools and SDK

Get the tools to build Metro style apps for Windows 8. Our free download includes Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express Beta for Windows 8 and Blend for Visual Studio 11 Beta to help jumpstart your project.

Is your company ready for Windows 8?

At the BUILD conference Microsoft showcased a detailed preview of Windows 8.  As Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division, stated it, “We reimagined Windows. From the chipset to the user experience, Windows 8 brings a new range of capabilities without compromise.”
Windows 8 will bring lots of great business opportunities for ISVs and we want to make sure that you are well prepared.  That is why we are organizing a unique Windows 8 event on March 23rd.  From the decision makers to the developers and to the geeks, we will present you with a fantastic line-up of speakers and content.

During the entire day your developers will learn all about how to build apps for Windows 8.  In the afternoon we invite the ISV decision makers to find out how Windows 8 can impact your business.

What can you do?  Mark Friday, March 23rd in your agenda and keep an eye on this blog for details on how to register for this event.

In the meantime, check out the Windows Dev Center and download the Windows 8 Developer Preview or visit the Building Windows 8 blog.