Windows Sensor and Location Platform

The Windows Sensor and Location platform simplifies the integration and use of sensors. The platform consists of a driver component and a client component. For Windows 8, the platform includes the following new features for hardware engineers and driver developers:

• An inbox class driver for sensors that supports the Human Interface Device (HID) protocol.
• Reference code for this class driver which ships as a sample in the Windows Driver Kit.
• Inbox support for screen rotation and brightness adjustments.
• Support for the Windows Location Provider which is capable of retrieving location data using Wi-Fi triangulation or IP addresses.
• Support for GPS devices.
• A sample Geolocation driver that demonstrates a simulated GPS device.
• A new Sensor Diagnostic Tool for testing your hardware and device-driver.

The platform includes the following new features for modern-sensor app developers:

• A Sensors namespace (Windows.Devices.Sensors) that includes support for a variety of motion, device-orientation, and light sensors. (The output for one motion, and one device-orientation, sensor is the result of sensor fusion—the combining of data from multiple sensors.)
• Support for Javascript/HTML apps
• Support for VB/C#/C++ XAML apps

The platform includes the following new features for modern-location app developers:

• A Geolocation namespace (Windows.Devices.Geolocation) that is capable of retrieving the computer’s location using either the Windows Location Provider or GPS input.
• Support for Javascript/HTML apps
• Support for VB/C#/C++ XAML apps

Note that Microsoft is shipping a number of apps that use the Windows Sensor and Location platform. For an example, see the Star Chart app that is available on the store.

Windows 8 topics for hardware engineers and driver developers

• Integrating Motion and Orientation Sensors
  
• Integrating Ambient Light Sensors with Computers Running Windows 8
  
• GNSS (GPS) Test Guidance
  
• HID Sensors Usages
  
• The HID Class Driver for Sensors
  
• Sensors driver sample for geolocation
  
• Sensor Diagnostic Tool
  

Windows 8 topics for modern sensor-app developers

• Windows.Devices.Sensors namespace
  
• Responding to motion and orientation-sensor quickstarts
  
• Responding to light sensors quickstarts
  

Windows 8 topics for modern location-app developers

• Windows.Devices.Geolocation namespace
  
• Detecting geolocation quickstarts
  

Windows 7 topics for the sensor and location platform

• Sensors HID driver sample
  
• Implementing Light-Aware UI in Windows 7
  
• Integrating Ambient Light Sensors in Windows 7
  
• Introducing the Windows Sensor and Location Platform
  
• Visual Variable Guidelines for Light-Aware UI
  

Windows 7 desktop sample code

• Build Your Own Game Controller
  
• Graphing Accelerometer Data in Windows 7
  
• Monitoring a Motion Sensor with Windows 7
  
• Sensor Video-Capture Solution