Build’s Big Tent

Microsoft pitched a big tent on an open field on its campus to provide space for the more than 1,000 developers on hand to attend the company’s premier developer conference for Windows 8 and other Microsoft platforms.

Microsoft pitched a second tent, which looked like a military-style mess hall, to feed attendees.

The software giant gets right down to the reason for the Build event in the first place: to call on developers to build apps for Microsoft’s core platforms.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer kicked off the Build 2012 event and took a conversational tone with the developer audience, demonstrating some of the new devices supporting Windows 8 and finally announcing that each attendee would receive a new Microsoft Surface RT.

Ballmer said Windows 8 is off to a spectacular start, having sold more than 4 million Windows 8 upgrades since the launch on Oct. 26.

Windows 8 has enabled the creation of some of the best PCs the industry has seen, Ballmer said.

Windows 8 provides the best opportunity for developers to build and sell applications, Ballmer said.

With the potential for 670 million upgrades and 400 million new Windows 8 machines, Ballmer says Microsoft is where developers should focus their attention.

Here is an image of a Perceptive Pixel touch monitor. Microsoft acquired Perceptive Pixel in July 2012.

Steve Ballmer demonstrates an app on what he referred to as an “82-inch Windows 8 slate,” which was actually an 82-inch Perceptive Pixel monitor.

Steve Ballmer demonstrates a Windows 8-powered touch-enabled laptop from Samsung.

The Acer Aspire S7-191 is the touch-enabled laptop Steve Ballmer demonstrated at Build 2012.

Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of developer and platform evangelism, takes the stage to talk about developer opportunity with Windows 8.

Steve Guggenheimer, also known as “Googs,” demos some of the new apps on Windows 8.

Michael Bayle, senior vice president and general manager of ESPN Mobile, takes the stage at Build 2012.

ESPN’s Michael Bayle introduces the ESPN app for Windows 8 as Microsoft’s Steven Guggenheimer looks on.

Twitter tweets about its commitment to deliver an app to support Windows 8.

Kevin Gallo, director of program management for Windows Phone, comes to the stage to discuss Windows Phone 8.

Microsoft’s Kevin Gallo introduces the Windows Phone 8 SDK.

With the help of a few friends, Kevin Gallo shows off a mini hovercraft that is being remotely controlled by a Windows Phone 8 device.

Gallo’s friends grab the hovering craft before it can get away.

Kevin Gallo says games account for 75 percent of the top-grossing apps on smartphones.

Richard Kerris, vice president and global head of developer relations at Nokia, takes the stage at Microsoft Build 2012 to announce that every attendee will receive a free Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone.

Jordan Rudess, also known as “The Keyboard Wizard,” kicked off the Build 2012 conference with some of his unique progressive metal styling using Microsoft technology, including the new Surface tablet.

Jordan Rudess demonstrates how he uses the Microsoft Surface tablet PC as a musical device.