On Tuesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer addressed a sold-out crowd at RocketSpace to get developers fired up about developing for Windows 8. Flanked by the Microsoft BizSpark team, Ballmer announced the upcoming launch of a Windows 8 App Lab, which will be based at RocketSpace.
Ballmer was direct when laying out the opportunities he envisions: “[Windows 8] is going to create a heck of a lot of opportunity for folks in this room to make millions,” he predicted.
Only time will tell if Windows 8 will live up to the hype surrounding its October launch. Still, Microsoft maintains control of 92% of market share: the potential for huge growth and reach is undeniable. By partnering with BizSpark, RocketSpace ensures that its members are positioned to take advantage of this opportunity.
“It is paramount to RocketSpace’s makeup that we offer tenants unrivaled access to leading technology,” commented RocketSpace CEO Duncan Logan. “The Windows 8 App Lab is the latest demonstration of this commitment.”
“Hosting BizSpark’s Windows 8 App Lab will boost RocketSpace’s ongoing efforts to help our companies attain wide distribution of their consumer-facing apps,” added Mike Chen, Ambassador Program Director at RocketSpace. “Windows 8 is particularly exciting because it merges the mobile, tablet, and desktop ecosystems: an app downloaded to a phone could also be used on that user’s desktop computer.”
The Windows 8 App Lab is the latest result of our ongoing partnership with Microsoft BizSpark. Earlier this year, RocketSpace hosted Microsoft’s “30 to Launch” event, and in December hosted a Bing event on SEO optimization for entrepreneurs.
We tweeted prolifically throughout the event, and #RocketSteve trended on Twitter in San Francisco. Some of our tweets and retweets are embedded below so you can relive the excitement. For more discussion of Ballmer’s visit, check out the coverage by Wired.com and The Verge.
For more pictures, see our Photo Journal of the event!
Chalkboard art: not just at Trader Joe’s RT @brennan_angel: Awesome hashtag! #RocketSteve via.me/-5foijbw
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
“Is it a tablet? Or is it a PC?” Steve Ballmer showing us a range of upcoming Windows 8 devices blurring the lines. #RocketSteve
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
“There’s a new class of all-in-ones coming with Windows 8, bringing a family PC the full power and full beauty of touch.” #RocketSteve
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
Now looking at the Windows RT Surface tablet, sporting a “touch cover” — both a keyboard and the protection for your screen! #RocketSteve
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
Ballmer makes a case for why you should develop for Win8: 1) Reach a huge market. Already 16mil people are previewing #Win8. #RocketSteve
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
Surface is dope, throw one to me Steve @rocketspace back left , green shirt
— Mike Elberts (@Melbs22) September 25, 2012
“People want to pick devices that let them express themselves and yet still allow them to work. We eliminate these barriers.” #RocketSteve
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
Ballmer: “It’s essential for big companies to enable surrounding innovation. We’re very committed to that, as with @bizspark.” #RocketSteve
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
#RocketSteve Ballmer and the @bizspark team announce their upcoming #Win8 App Lab here at RocketSpace!
— RocketSpace (@RocketSpace) September 25, 2012
Great minds share the same barber
#RocketSteve Ballmer and @duncanlogan at @rocketspace #startupblastoff twitter.com/erycbranham/st…
— Eryc Branham (@erycbranham) September 25, 2012
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Jaslyn Law is a Marketing & Operations Intern at RocketSpace. Follow us on Twitter at @RocketSpace!








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