Ideas on how to implement Surface Dial in your Universal Windows Platform Apps

Sometimes we can find inspiration for new development ideas by seeing how others are doing similar work.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

November 8, 2016

2 Min Read
Ideas on how to implement Surface Dial in your Universal Windows Platform Apps

When Microsoft held their Windows 10 event in New York City a couple of weeks ago the Surface Studio was the star of the show however, a small peripheral that was also unveiled that same day has the greatest potential to impact many more users and change the way we interface with applications on Windows 10.

Surface Dial, the small round cylindrical menu manipulating device, might be one of the biggest user interface breakthroughs since the mouse. It will be compatible with more than just the Surface Studio so it is a great opportunity for developers to begin bring its capabilities to their own Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps.

We have already shared with you how developers can started using new features that are expected in the Creators Update to Windows 10 and the Surface Dial. So the next step is to decide how you might implement this peripheral into your own UWP apps.

Microsoft has already partnered with several companies to bring the Surface Dial's capabilities to their own apps and the Surface team recently published a series of videos to show how those companies are integrating Surface Dial into their apps.

Inspiration can be rough to find and sometimes all that is needed is a catalyst to get the creative juices flowing so if you are looking for some of that then check out these videos of Surface Dial in these various apps.

Although each of these videos include Surface Studio and its unique capabilities for the Surface dial when it is used on the Studio's screen, it can also be used on the desktop alongside of Studio, the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book.

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

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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