Tips and Tricks for Developing with the Surface Dial

Microsoft latest hardware for controlling activity on your Windows 10 based PC is the Surface Dial and it is very easy for Windows developers to integrate this functionality into their Universal Windows Platform apps.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

December 12, 2016

2 Min Read
Tips and Tricks for Developing with the Surface Dial

When Microsoft launched the Surface Studio this past October, one of the very innovative peripheral devices that was also announced was the Surface Dial.

Of course, this very unique device is not a replacement for your mouse but it adds a level of interaction and control to Windows 10 and compatible apps, especially those used for graphics and drawing, that it is setting a new control paradigm.

As developers, the functionality of Surface Dial is accessible to you and can easily be added to your existing UWP apps or those you are planning.

Shortly after the launch we shared with you a developer perspective on the new hardware and then followed that up with more ideas on how to integrate this radial controller into your apps.

Well, Microsoft is continuing to provide more information about adding this type of control to your own apps and this month it is through a series of tips and tricks for you developers.

For those of you who think Surface Dial is only for those who have spent a few thousand dollars on a Surface Studio - keep in mind that Surface Dial will work with any Windows 10 Anniversary Update system that supports Bluetooth 4.0. In addition, the onscreen functionality of Surface Dial will also work on other Surface devices with the Pixelsense screen such as Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book.

So take the time to check out the latest developer information for Surface Dial from Microsoft and consider incorporating this functionality into your own apps.

Other Surface Dial developer resources:

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

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About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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