Taiwanese smartphone vendor HTC is strengthening ties with the developer community following the announcement of a new SDK for its latest Sense user interface and the launch of a developer program. 

OpenSense SDK is HTC’s efforts to recruit developers willing to create apps specifically for Sense 3.0, released earlier this year.  Sense is the name of the UI that HTC lays over the top of the standard Android OS on its devices. The new initiative lets developers integrate the Sense UI within their applications. With the new SDK developers will be provided access to proprietary APIs that support 3D displays and tablet pens. There’s no specific release date yet for the SDK, with HTC stating only that it will be released “in parallel” with the launch of its new HTCdev.com site “this summer.” Early OpenSense partners include LinkedIn, Google Picasa and Gameloft.

HTCdev is designed to “support mobile developers through tools, resources and community.” It is targeting individuals through to large enterprises and will feature a resource library of “tutorials, best practices, documentation and support.” The site will also offer a user feedback channel to HTC for ongoing investments and improvement to the developer toolset and program resources.

HTC’s plans are further evidence that the hardware vendor is looking to move into the content space. At this year’s GSMA Mobile World Congress, CEO Peter Chou used his keynote address to state that the company’s focus in the mobile app ecosystem is in integrating the best products and services with its other hardware and software solutions, in order to deliver a more rounded solution for customers.