Telefonica has joined forces with Microsoft to release an SDK that will enable developers who create applications for the latter’s .NET platform to incorporate APIs from the operator’s new BlueVia platform.  Microsoft developers will be able to integrate features from the BlueVia platform such as SMS, advertising and user contextual information into their applications. Telefonica announced its BlueVia initiative earlier this year. It is designed to ease access for developers to its network capabilities through new web-based APIs. 

The Microsoft developers who can take advantage of the new SDK include not just those who specialise in mobile apps for Windows Phone 7 (WP7) but also those who work on apps for PC, gaming and TV applicatons. Vivek Dev, Telefonica’s director of global new services, said the partnership with Microsoft will “accelerate BlueVia’s reach and extend our presence” beyond mobile phones and into other devices.

The BlueVia for .NET SDK was tested by select developers ahead of launch who came up with a number of apps. They include a passenger booking and fleet management app from Medianet in partnership with Tweetalondoncab, and the GoGoStat Connect app from Schakra that enables users to manage how different people communicate with them at different times.