LG is set to hold their fourth annual LG Developer Event later this week in San Francisco. Ahead of the developer event, the South Korean manufacturer have announced that the software development kit (SDK) and hardware development kit (HDK) are now available for the LG G5. This means that LG is basically opening up the LG G5 to developers to create their own modules for their new flagship. In their press release, they note that they are “inviting developers to reimagine the possibilities for the modular design smartphone and companion devices.” So this isn’t just for modules, but also friends like the LG 360 Cam and LG VR headset that were also announced with the LG G5.
LG Electronics VP or Smartphone Product Planning, Dr. Ramchan Woo stated that “the potential of the industry changing LG G5 and the concept of Friends are limitless. Now we want to give everyone a chance to apply their talent and imagination in developing their own apps and Friends for the LG G5.” Thus, the company is going to be opening up their own marketplace for the LG G5’s friends that are created by developers. This is going to be a central place for LG and their developers to be able to sell their compatible products, as well as support their customers. The website will be LGFriends.com.
This shows that LG is indeed looking to continue using modules in their upcoming flagships, especially since the site is “LG Friends” and not “LG G5 Friends”. However what remains to be seen is whether the upcoming flagship – the successor to the LG V10 – will be able to use the same modules or not. That’s something we’ll find out later this year when the new flagship is announced.
If you are a developer and are looking to get into creating a module for the LG G5, this is the perfect time to get into doing so. The company’s developer event is taking place this Friday, if you haven’t already bought a ticket you can still do so. Both the SDK and HDK are also available. It’s going to be interesting to see what third-party modules we see debut for the LG G5.