In June we provided an early look at some developer features of Windows Phone 8, promising to share the Software Development Kit (SDK) in late summer. Select partners and developers have already seen early builds of the new SDK, helping to test the new toolset and get started on Windows Phone 8 apps.
Today I’m happy to announce that the time has come to make the near-final kit available to more developers through the Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview Program. Next Wednesday I’ll share detailed instructions on how current Windows Phone developers with published apps can apply. But I do want to set your expectations that program access will be limited.
The full Windows Phone 8 SDK will be made publically available later this year when we unveil Windows Phone 8. Until then, we believe this program offers more published developers a way to explore the SDK and get started on the next wave of amazing Windows Phone apps.
Look for more details Wednesday, September 12.
Finally, if you watched Nokia unveil its new Windows Phone 8 handsets in New York City today—the Lumia 820 and 920—you probably saw the on-stage demo of some new Windows Phone 8 camera APIs and a feature we call Lenses. Watch for additional info about how you can create your own Lenses in the coming weeks.