Samsung Mobile Innovator is not yet open for user registration, but you can still access the full site to get an idea of what is on offer. User registration is expected to open in October and the site will formally launch at the Smartphone Show. In the spotlight section of the site there's a short article which gives you some background on the team behind the Samsung Mobile Innovator program.
Once the site launches a number of additional services will be available. This includes a virtual device lab (Lab.dev), which will enable developer to test their application on remote devices (controlled through the web browser). Such services enable developers to test their applications on more devices than is usually possible via an in-house testing program.
Samsung's S60 tools are based on the same software developer kits as those used by Nokia. The i450 touchwheel API is made available as a plug in for the standard S60 SDK. Samsung Mobile Innovator will focus on providing access to, and support for, features with differentiate Samsung handsets from the standard S60 offering. For example, additional APIs will be made available for the acceloremeter sensor and touchpad features of the Samsung i8510 shortly.
Membership of the site and use of the service will be available at no charge.
Here's an extract from the press release:
Samsung today announced the beta launch of the Samsung Mobile Innovator website, which is designed to allow mobile software developers to create applications for use across all Samsung S60 devices.
The launch of the Samsung Mobile Innovator marks a new direction for Samsung Mobile, offering the mobile developer community a channel to use Samsung's expertise to maximise their profits and broaden their offering.
From today, the Samsung Mobile Innovator portal can be accessed at http://innovator.samsungmobile.com.
Samsung Mobile Innovator's goal is to offer developers the tools, technical content and support they require to create applications and services that work on the Samsung S60 platform. The program will also have a strong focus on evolution of better business opportunities for members, by providing end-to-end sales channels and service platforms for delivering applications to mobile phone users.
For the first time, registered members will benefit from the opportunity to use Samsung's latest hardware and software features to really differentiate the software they create. Launch services will include a virtual device lab (Lab.dev), business development support (Market.dev) and exclusive technical support (Ask.dev). The program and its services are free to all developers.
Member registration (and access to the services) is not yet available, but the website is fully operational and already features launch content exclusive to Samsung devices.
The program is currently in beta phase and will be formally announced at October's Symbian Smartphone Show.