David Hernie

The updated Windows Phone 8 Training Kit is live!

DavidHernie — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:35:00 GMT

Overview

The Windows Phone 8 Training Kit includes a comprehensive set of technical content including hands-on labs, presentations and code samples that are designed to help you learn how to build applications using the latest Windows Phone features.

System requirements

Supported operating systems: Windows 7, Windows 8
The Windows Phone 8 Training Kit includes technical content that can be used on Windows 7, or Windows 8. The hands-on labs are designed for use with Visual Studio 2012. After installing the training kit, please refer to the setup instructions and prerequisites for each individual hands-on lab for more details.

Instructions

The Windows Phone 8 Training Kit is available in two formats: a full package and the web installer.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=38782&WT.mc_id=rss_alldownloads_all

Content
It includes presentations, code samples and step-by-step hands-on labs designed to help you learn key Windows Phone 8 features.

Overview of app essential features, including App Lifecycle, Storage APIs, App to App communication and Model-View-ViewModel
Cross development for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8
Introduction of the Windows Phone platform and new features
How to integrate into the phone Live Tiles, Push Notifications, Lock Screen and Lenses
How to leverage Proximity, NFC, Bluetooth, GPS, Wallet and Speech APIs.
How can you monetize your application

Additional templates

Some templates for WindowsPhone are available here : http://bit.ly/applabbe.

Related resources

Windows Azure Training Kit

Join the Windows 8 App Race: Win Visual Studio headphones and Asus tablets

DavidHernie — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:24:15 GMT

We want to give you a push in the back to develop great applications – join the Windows 8 App Race and win:

How to win

Your app(s) need to be published between April 1 and June 15, 2013. Complete the contest form(s) on http://aka.ms/race.

There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit but each entry must be substantially unique and different. The date and time of the first and fifth application as part of the entry submitted in a particular timeframe will determine the winners of the tablets. Note: this contest is only open for residents from Belgium and Luxembourg. Please read the full terms & conditions of this contest before entering. Questions? Contact us msdnbewm@microsoft.com.

We’re looking forward to see your apps shine in the Store … and who knows soon on your brand new Asus tablet!

Windows 8 Super Hackathon – 27 March – 4 locations

DavidHernie — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:36:00 GMT

Don’t miss this opportunity

Join us in Mons, Brussels, Genk or Kortrijk on March 27th for the 4-locations Super Hackathon. Code, build, eat, drink & win.
Experts will be on site to help you with the last phase of building your first Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8 application. We’ll be streaming live everywhere to the world.

We come to your cities (4!), we bring the experts (many!), feed you with breakfast, pizza, coffee (lots!) and Red Bull, honor you with prizes and rewards (countless!). You are the center - we are there for you, because we want you to be successful.

One day – March 27th - four different locations.
All connected in a group or single. With designers or without. From scratch or working at a large scale app. Fast or faster. Veggie or not. End goal: Get to Windows Store, have fun doing it, go home with prizes.

And oh yes … the Super Hackathon is of course FREE to attend!

So where is the action

Go ahead and reserve your spot. Join us for the Day event or the Night event or both. See the agenda setup at the bottom of this post.

Superhackathon theme
Yes, winter is cosy with the snow and all – but after months of darkness we all need light. So the theme for the superhackathon is around spring, well-being, health and happiness. To be interpreted very broadly
Feel the ideas coming?

First time app? Build your first one – see how to get started here.

Design reference templates
You can use a template fully created for the Windows 8 style & experience. Just by binding the relevant data, you should have a good looking app that runs in the paradigm of Windows 8. And the good news: the templates are available as Visual Studio 2012 project in both C#/XAML and HTML/JavaScript options. So pick your template and platform and build your app in a breeze.

The template addresses App Views (Landscape, Fill, Snap and Portrait), Live Tiles, Search & Share Contract, Settings, Navigation across pages, Bottom & Top App Bar (If applicable). So get started today and finish off the app together with us!

Agenda

Day

8:30: Welcome and registration
9:00 – 9:30: Introduction and getting started
9:30 – 12:30: Coding (alone or with your group)Guidance, hands-on labs and expert advice on site
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch
13:30 – 16:00: Coding (alone or with your group)Guidance, hands-on labs and expert advice on site
16:00 – 17:00: Demo time and best app showdown for Day attendees
Publish your first finished app: prize
17:00: Break and end of the Day part

Night

17:30: Welcome and registration (or continue working for those going for the full day)
18:00 – 18:30: Introduction and getting started
18:30 – 19:30: Coding (alone or with your group)Guidance, hands-on labs and expert advice on site
19:30 – 20:30: Dinner
20:30 – 23:00: Coding (alone or with your group)Guidance, hands-on labs and expert advice on site
23:00 – 24:00: Demo time and best app showdown
Publish your first finished app: prize
24:00: End

CU you there !

TechDays Hands-On Labs - Because there's always more to learn

DavidHernie — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 14:35:00 GMT

Roll up your sleeves and experience the latest technology for yourself with Hands-On Labs @ TechDays 2013.

It's easy to get started. With no prior experience, you will build and publish your first Windows Phone or Windows 8 app or discover the power of Windows Azure. Developers or IT Pro, don’t miss this great opportunity to build your first experience, understand the challenge of publishing an app or configuring a Virtual machine or deploying a web site on Windows Azure.

Each Hands-On Lab takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Moreover, if you attend labs @ TechDays, on top of some very nice gift, we offer you the Store registration fee. You want to sell apps in the Microsoft Stores, you need to open a developer account. We thought you might appreciate a refund of your registration cost.

You don’t have your laptop or is not configured, no excuse, we have 20 Workstations ready for you. If you come TechDays, just don’t miss it!

David

PS: You must be registered @TechDays Belgium 2013 to be able to attend Hands-On Labs

Windows Phone 8–Security deep dive

DavidHernie — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:14:00 GMT

All you want to know about security on Windows Phone 8 is here.

It’s always very tricky to talk about security. It’s a question of point of view about what’s important and we can never say never.

Our challenge is to provide a trusted environment for users, corporate & developer and keep a user experience as simple as possible.

In this presentation, I make a global overview about

Our vision about security, what’s important to have on a Smartphone.
How we protect the integrity of the device - Boot loader
How to provide a trusted operating system - Signature
How we prevent malware attack – Application Chamber
How we protect users and data – Device encryption
How to manage corporate apps – Policies
Remediation, if something wrong..

The presentation is available here: http://sdrv.ms/14OQ92j

How to upgrade your app from Wp7 to Wp8

DavidHernie — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:19:00 GMT

With the release of Windows Phone 8, Microsoft introduced a number of new features for developers to use in their apps. Aside from these new features, there have also been quite a few improvements to the platform such as resolutions and the inclusion of the Panorama, Pivot and LongListSelector controls in the ROM of the OS. In general, the Windows Phone app platform enables apps that target Windows Phone OS 7.1 to run without modification or recompilation on Windows Phone 8. But you may want to use some new features to differentiate your app from the others. You will find here a exhaustive list of modification App platform compatibility for Windows Phone.

They are multiple solution to approach this problem

Create a separate copy of the app for each version. Easy to do but difficult to maintain, you ll have to replicate every update that you make in two places
Create two copies of the app that share a class library of common code. Two projects in the same solution and refactor common code into a shared class library project. but the class library project must target Windows Phone OS 7.1. With this approach, your shared class library can’t use any of the enhancements or new features introduced in WP 8.
Create two copies of the app that share linked source code files. A same solution that share source code and use conditional compilation constants in your code to isolate app features that are new in Windows Phone 8

Independently of the method you choose, you can easily upgrade an existing Windows Phone app project that targets Windows Phone OS 7.1 to target Windows Phone 8 by

In Solution Explorer, use the Upgrade to Windows Phone 8.0 command.

In the project designer, change the Target Windows Phone OS Version value to Windows Phone OS 8.0.

You cannot upgrade XNA Game Studio 4.0 projects to Windows Phone 8. For more info, see XNA Framework and Windows Phone 8 development.

Tips :

Advertising SDK. Windows Phone SDK 7.1 installs version 5.2 of the Microsoft Advertising SDK assembly. Windows Phone SDK 8.0 installs version 6.1 of the same assembly in the same path for apps that target Windows Phone OS 7.1. As a result, you can’t build the project successfully with Windows Phone SDK 8.0 either before or after upgrading the project. You must Manually remove the reference to the older version and add a reference to the newer version of the SDK assembly
Adding Windows Phone 8 Tile functionality to Windows Phone OS 7.1 apps. I invite you to check this blog post http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsphone/develop/jj720574(v=vs.105).aspx

After the upgrade , don’t forget add references to your project for the assemblies that contain the new APIs, and import the namespaces into your code files and edit the manifest file, or run the Capability Validation test in the Windows Phone Store Test Kit. However the upgrade process automatically removes the deprecated ID_CAP_MEDIALIB capability and replaces it with the new ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_AUDIO, ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_VIDEO or ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_PHOTO capability as appropriate.

You will find here after the default app manifest for wp7 and wp8

Windows Phone 7	Windows Phone 8
<Deployment xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/ windowsphone/2009/deployment" AppPlatformVersion="7.1"> <App xmlns="" ProductID="{<GUID>}" Title="EmptyNewWP71Project" RuntimeType="Silverlight" Version="1.0.0.0" Genre="apps.normal" Author="EmptyNewWP71Project author" Description="Sample description" Publisher="EmptyNewWP71Project"> < IconPath IsRelative="true" IsResource="false"> ApplicationIcon.png </IconPath>	<Deployment xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/ windowsphone/2012/deployment" AppPlatformVersion="8.0"> < DefaultLanguage xmlns="" code="en-US"/> <App xmlns="" ProductID="{<GUID>}" Title="EmptyNewWP80Project" RuntimeType="Silverlight" Version="1.0.0.0" Genre="apps.normal" Author="EmptyNewWP80Project author" Description="Sample description" Publisher="EmptyNewWP80Project" PublisherID="{<GUID>}"> < IconPath IsRelative="true" IsResource="false"> Assets\ApplicationIcon.png </IconPath>
<Capabilities> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_GAMERSERVICES"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_IDENTITY_DEVICE"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_IDENTITY_USER"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_LOCATION"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_MEDIALIB"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_MICROPHONE"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_NETWORKING"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_PHONEDIALER"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_PUSH_NOTIFICATION"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_SENSORS"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_WEBBROWSERCOMPONENT"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_ISV_CAMERA"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_CONTACTS"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_APPOINTMENTS"/> < /Capabilities>	<Capabilities> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_NETWORKING"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_AUDIO"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_PLAYBACK"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_SENSORS"/> < Capability Name="ID_CAP_WEBBROWSERCOMPONENT"/> < /Capabilities>
<Tokens> < PrimaryToken TokenID="EmptyNewWP71ProjectToken" TaskName="_default"> <TemplateType5> < BackgroundImageURI IsRelative="true" IsResource="false"> Background.png </BackgroundImageURI> <Count>0</Count> < Title>EmptyNewWP71Project</Title> </TemplateType5> </PrimaryToken> < /Tokens>	<Tokens> < PrimaryToken TokenID="EmptyNewWP80ProjectToken" TaskName="_default"> < TemplateFlip> < SmallImageURI IsRelative="true" IsResource="false"> Assets\Tiles\FlipCycleTileSmall.png </SmallImageURI> <Count>0</Count> < BackgroundImageURI IsRelative="true" IsResource="false"> Assets\Tiles\FlipCycleTileMedium.png </BackgroundImageURI> < Title>EmptyNewWP80Project</Title> < BackContent></BackContent> < BackBackgroundImageURI> </BackBackgroundImageURI> < BackTitle></BackTitle> < DeviceLockImageURI> </DeviceLockImageURI> < HasLarge></HasLarge> </TemplateFlip> </PrimaryToken> < /Tokens>
	<ScreenResolutions> < ScreenResolution Name="ID_RESOLUTION_WVGA"/> < ScreenResolution Name="ID_RESOLUTION_WXGA"/> < ScreenResolution Name="ID_RESOLUTION_HD720P"/> < /ScreenResolutions>
<Tasks> < DefaultTask Name ="_default" NavigationPage="MainPage.xaml"/> < /Tasks>	<Tasks> < DefaultTask Name ="_default" NavigationPage="MainPage.xaml"/> < /Tasks>
</App> < /Deployment>	</App> < /Deployment>

Windows Phone tool box

DavidHernie — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:55:00 GMT

Windows Phone SDK /getphone – Phone development extensions for Visual Studio 2010

Windows Azure Toolkit for Windows Phone /azuretoolkit –Cloud services running in Windows Azure

Silverlight for Windows Phone Toolkit /sltoolkit – Additional Controls for WP application development

SketchFlow Template for Windows Phone /sketchflow – Creates prototype of a WP app quick and easy

Bing Maps Silverlight Control SDK /bing – Binaries & programming ref for the Bing Maps Silverlight Control

Windows Phone Icon Maker /icons – Make multiple icons necessary to build and publish WP Application

Windows Phone Training Kit /trainingkit – All you need to get up to speed fast on building apps

Windows Phone Quickstars /quickstarts – Introduce the basics for creating WP applications

Windows Phone 7 Developer Guide /patterns – Best practices from Microsoft Patterns & Practices

Hello Windows Phone /hello – My first WP application

Windows Phone Jump Start Training /jumpstart – There are 12 sessions each about :50 minutes in length

Programming Windows Phone 7 /freebook – Free book - 24 chapters, about 1,000 pages

Developer Registration /register – It all starts here! Register as a developer and let’s build something!

Online Web Marketplace /marketplace – Find the WP app that is right for you

MSDN Belux / Microsoft Belux portal for developers

Windows Phone Blog /phoneblog – Blog directly from the WP development team

Windows Phone Forum /forum – Discuss tools, general development issues and questions

GOT AN APP IDEA? GET FUNDING and SUPPORT NOW !

DavidHernie — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:46:44 GMT

Do you have a first-to-market idea with a fresh approach on design elegance, and superior quality and performance? Are you a developers and/or entrepreneur with the ambition to launch the next big thing in mobile?

The Aalto University (Finland), Nokia and Microsoft have started a joint venture to accelerate mobile application development. With a working budget of 18 million euros they foster mobile application development on Windows Phone and any other Nokia platform. All Belgian – Luxembourg entrepreneurs, start-ups and companies can apply for the AppCampus Award.

Successful AppCampus-applicants will receive awards varying from 20.000, 50.000, to 70.000 euros, depending on the complexity of the app. In addition, from within the AppCampus initiative, you will get access to world-class training, coaching and marketing support. Windows Phone Store and Nokia Store offer global monetization opportunities to program participants via distribution to consumers around the world.

AppCampus is 100% free of charge. It does not obtain intellectual property rights, nor is it interested in any commission from the investment.

Conditions?

AppCampus is a global initiative. Anyone from anywhere in the world can apply as long as you have a corporate identity. (For students we have the Imagine Cup and Imagine Cup grants program)

The only requirement is that successful applications are expected to be available exclusively on Windows Marketplace, or Nokia Store for a limited time. More information here.

No time to lose – apply now on www.appcampus.fi

Windows Phone 8 – Let’s start

DavidHernie — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:25:00 GMT

This is the Windows Phone 8 JumpStart training content. The training is a fast-paced, demo-packed and very highly rated learning experience tailored to show developers how to quickly build responsive, appealing and effective apps. All 20 modules are now available online for viewing on demand on Channel 9<. For more detail, refer to the WindowsPhone team blog post

Here is the full outline:

Mod 01a: Introducing Windows Phone 8 Development Part 1
Mod 01b: Introducing Windows Phone 8 Development Part 2
Mod 02: Designing Windows Phone 8 Apps
Mod 03: Building Windows Phone 8 Apps
Mod 04: Files and Storage on Windows Phone 8
Mod 05: Windows Phone 8 Application Lifecycle
Mod 06: Background Agents
Mod 07: Tiles and Lock Screen Notifications
Mod 08: Push Notifications
Mod 09: Using Phone Resources in Windows Phone 8
Mod 10: App to App Communication in Windows Phone 8
Mod 11: Network Communication in Windows Phone 8
Mod 12: Proximity Sensors and Bluetooth in Windows Phone 8
Mod 13: Speech Input in Windows Phone 8
Mod 14: Maps and Location in Windows Phone 8
Mod 15: Wallet Support
Mod 16: In-App Purchasing
Mod 17: The Windows Phone Store
Mod 18: Enterprise App Architecture
Mod 19: Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 Cross Platform Development
Mod 20: Mobile Web

Windows Phone SDK – free tools

The Windows Phone Software Development Kit (SDK) includes all of the tools that you need to develop apps and games for Windows Phone. Click the Download button and the select the option to Run. Follow the instructions that appear.

SDK 8.0

The Windows Phone SDK 8.0 enables you to develop apps for Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7.5 devices. Get details and additional languages

Download (up to 1.6 GB, English)

SDK 7.1

The Windows Phone SDK 7.1 and 7.1.1 Update enables you to develop apps for Windows Phone 7.5 and Windows Phone 7.0 devices. Get details and additional languages

Download (up to 730 MB, English)

SDK 7.1.1 Update

The Windows Phone SDK 7.1.1 Update provides additional functionality to the existing Windows Phone SDK 7.1. Using this update, you can more easily develop apps and games that are optimized to run on 256-MB devices. Get details and additional languages

Download (up to 300 MB, English)

RE-IMAGINE EVERYTHING!

Free Trial Azure
Download Visual Studio Express 2012
Download Developer Center VS 2012/Win8
Add a cloud back-end to your mobile app in 5 min Mobile services

Tips & Tricks to create the "best" Windows Phone App

DavidHernie — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:52:00 GMT

You ll find hereafter some advice on how to build a great WindowsPhone App.

Windows Phone Developer Blog

Windows Phone Dev Center:

App certification requirements for Windows Phone - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/windowsphone/develop/hh184843(v=vs.105).aspx
Windows Phone Store Test Kit - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsphone/develop/hh394032(v=vs.105).aspx

MSDN Articles

Get Your Windows Phone Applications in the Marketplace Faster - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/hh781024.aspx
Pragmatic Tips for Building Better Windows Phone Apps - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/jj190802.aspx