NMU computer science students are among the first to experience Intel’s newest breakthrough in technology.

The new device, called the Compute Continuum Software Development Kit (CC SDK), allows applications to be used on any device and any system simultaneously.

Intel held a competition for the students to see what apps they could make. The event took place Friday, Jan. 20.

The contestants were then asked to submit their resumes to Intel for a summer internship.

Junior Adam Jacques, a computer science major, was one of the competitors who was a member of two teams.

He was involved in designing Xstream Pictionary along with Dave Pfeiffer and Texas Hold ‘Em with Nicole Ross.

“Intel wanted us to create anything, from games to apps that could work on smart phones, tablets and notebooks,” Jacques said. “It was great to see the apps work not only across different devices, but on varying systems as well.

“The CC SDK makes it so an app could function on Apple, Android and Windows devices.”

Since the end of November, Jacques and all the other competitors have had time to develop their apps. Intel remained vague on what they wanted in the apps, as long as the app was networking based.

“It was very cool to take part in this, getting to work with new technology from a large company like Intel,” Jacques said. “The CC SDK makes networking easy, pretty much doing most of the work for us, as far as having the apps work on the different devices.”

Senior David Pfeiffer, a computer science major, had also worked on two apps. In addition to Xstream Pictionary, he created Acorn Audio, a music streaming app, with Steve Jarvis and Clayton Powell. Acorn Audio went on to win third place in the contest.

“The way the development kit functions is like that of a toolbox,” Pfeiffer said. “The apps we designed utilize the kit in order to communicate with other devices.

“The programs we created use the SDK in order to connect to the same server.”

Jeff Horn, computer science Intel coordinator, helped organize the competition. He has been the Intel internship coordinator for a few years, making this a further step in the collaboration between Intel and NMU.

“By the start of last fall’s semester, Intel first contacted us about the CC SDK and by the end of November we received it,” Horn said. “It’s a collaborative effort. By allowing us to use this new technology, we were helping Intel test the code so any problems could be worked out before being released to the public.

“The CC strategic thrust is this is the way to go and the future of the industry needs to head in this direction.”

With a little over a month, Horn was impressed with the apps he saw students create.

While they were creating their apps, the competitors had to sign non-disclosure statements with Intel but now Intel has allowed the information to be released to the public.

“Intel wanted to see the innovation from these students,” Horn said. “The students worked great, not only collaborating with their teammates but other teams as well. They all worked together, helping each other out, despite being competing teams.”