Samsung had announced a new developer conference. Is this the next must-attend event for Android developers? Is it just Android devs who are going to be interested?

Samsung isn't the first name you think of when you contemplate software development. It seems to make hardware that runs other people's software but this isn't quite true. Samsung not only has software of its own - Tizen say - it also produces Android phones with its own particular take on the Android OS. Given that Samsung sells more Android devices than anyone else it is even in a position to be more influential in the Android world than Google - so why not start the campaign off with your first ever developer conference? 

Samsung's conference announcement is currently lacking details of what is on the agenda of its first ever conference at the inaugural event. It gives the date October 27-29, and the venue - the Westin St, Francis Hotel on Union Square in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

The illustration is of a classroom setting and the slogan, which reads:

• Engage with industry leaders
• Collaborate with fellow developers
• Learn about new Samsung tools and SDKs
• Create what's next

suggests a practical hands on event. To find out more, and be notified when registration opens you are invited to submit your email address.

Android is likely to be the main topic on the menu, given that, as already mentioned, Samsung ships far more Android handsets than anyone, but it's far from a one-horse stable. Samsung's is also one of the main proponents of Tizen, the open source mobile OS being developed under the auspices of the Linux Foundation. It is  also working with the Mozilla Foundation on Servo, a next-generation web browser engine for mobile devices that takes advantage of multicore processors. Last, and possibly least in terms of this conference Samsung is also a leading suppliers of Windows laptops and tablets.

At the Tizen Developer Conference in May, Samsung handed out prototype developer devices to every delegate and no doubt attendees at its own conference will be expect hardware as well as software handouts.

This year's Google I/O was possibly disappointing - both in terms of handouts and in terms of launches. So can Samsung set up a credible alternative event?