Just over a month we released the Azure toolkit for Windows Phone 7, Microsoft has now released the Azure tookit for iOS, and Android is next in line.

The toolkit contains a “compiled Objective-C library for working with services running in Windows Azure (e.g. push notification, authN/authZ, and storage),” along with Objective-C source code and Xcode project files. It also includes a sample iOS application and its source code, designed to show developers how Azure can be used inside of the platform.

The toolkit has been posted to github and can be found at the following three links:

• https://github.com/microsoft-dpe/watoolkitios-lib
• https://github.com/microsoft-dpe/watoolkitios-samples
• https://github.com/microsoft-dpe/watoolkitios-doc

Details on how to get started can be found here.

This week I had a really interesting discussion/debate with a University lecturer on teaching user interface design and it took me back just to how things have changed since the mid-nineties.

When I was a student a lot of CS courses which looked at interface design had materials which referenced the following statement “The Evil’s of Rapid Prototyping,”  and many slide decks contained reasons why rapid prototyping was a bad idea. Most of the reasoning centred around prototyping tools being so complex back then, they needed to be operated by developers; subsequently, the design process tended to be influenced by all design work needing to be interpreted through the lens of what a prototyper could actually achieve with the software available.

Fast forward to today and there’s been a rethinking on prototyping. Is this good or bad?     

I recently blogged about how professional organisations are using tools such as OneNote for UI/UX design. Additionally there a lots of new prototyping tools have appeared over the past few years and they’re rapidly being adopted by interaction designers.

So we concluded that the creators of these tools never attended one of these courses!

So the question I now want to pose is.. how do go about teaching modern user interface design and application workflows on your courses and what tools and resources do you use?

As we know prototypes can be as simple or as complex as necessary for the project on which you are working.

For example

• A prototype can be a rough sketch with notes
  
• A linear sequence of slides with a few notes that demonstrates
  
• A workflow drawn on the art board,
  
• A complex graph, outlined in the panel designs and layouts, that includes reusable elements on a single screen (component screens), and navigation between screens (navigation connections).

What tools do you use?

Microsoft SketchFlow includes several tools to make your prototype interactive in order to more closely mimic the flow of a production application. For example, with SketchFlow, you can do the following:

• Begin a prototype with just a site map and a few notes jotted on the application screens, and then continue to refine your prototype as you go along.

• Either draw user interface (UI) elements, or import them from common drawing programs.

• Animate your prototype, creating a visual representation of the interaction between the user and the application.

• Use the full library of standard UI elements and custom controls.

• Create sample data on the fly, easily build data-driven UI, and add styles to your data.

• Create interactivity without writing code by using built-in behaviours. Behaviours are extensible, making it easy to add custom behaviours to your prototyping toolbox.

• Either write code to create custom elements, or use pre-built elements from your development team

Sketchflow Resource

For more details on Sketchflow see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/expression/ee215229.aspx 

Tutorials on Sketchflow see www.microsoft.com/.../creating-navigation.aspx

But what about considering Modern design principles..

With Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 we have the following key principles which need to be adhered

So the key things you need to consider when designing your apps for modern applications are..

Ensure that you weave platform features into your core scenarios and prototype design to leverage the power of the underlying platfom..

So lets think about the platform features available..

To help develop these scenarios here are list of the key resources.

Microsoft Design Guidelines for Windows Phone http://design.windowsphone.com

Microsoft Design Guidelines for Windows 8 http://design.windows.com

Microsoft User Experience Fundamentals and online training http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Windows-Camp/Windows-8-UX-Fundamentals-Training-Workshop-2012

So where to start?

To help you get started on your app development here are some templates and guidance from http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Windows-Camp/Windows-8-UX-Fundamentals-Training-Workshop-2012

Example of a completed template for a new app design/concept.

Conclusion

In summary, using any form of prototype technique makes it easy to sketch out a conceptual application and ensure the following are achieved.

So what are you waiting for? You can just create a series of screens and use the templates above and then begin to draw. As your idea progresses, you can add interactive elements that make your prototype as close to the finished product as you need it to be to communicate the design idea you want to convey.

Reviewers can use the tools such as SketchFlow, One Note  to view the application flow, and then leave feedback directly in the project as annotations. Once the feedback has been incorporated and the prototype is complete, the prototype project can be handed off to a developer for conversion into a final application,

Windows Server 2012 Training & Certification Now Available to all Microsoft IT Academy members

if your interested in IT Academy please visit http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/itacademy/

1) Certifications and official Microsoft training and certifications are now available for Windows Server 2012, Windows 8, Private Cloud, Windows Store Application

In addition to this we now have new structure for Microsoft Technical Certifications

With a dedicated number of suitable examinations for the FE/HE education market which adds added value to the student experience and curriculum content aligning your courses with employees requirements.

2) Windows Server Certification and examination tracks

3) Microsoft Second Shot promotion is active so students (and lecturers) get a FREE retake if they do not pass first time for more info click here

4) Courseware available for Windows Server 2012 is now available to all Microsoft IT Academy members   

Module 1: Managing a Windows Server 2012 Infrastructure

•What's New in Server Manager

•Introducing IP Address Management

•PowerShell and Server Core Enhancements

•What’s New in Active Directory

•Introducing Dynamic Access Control

Module 2: Network, Storage, and Service Access in Windows Server 2012

•Storage Enhancements

•What's New in Remote Access

•New and Improved Networking Technologies

•Availability Enhancements

Module 3: Server Virtualization in Windows Server 2012

•Storage Enhancements

•What’s New in Networking

•Introducing Hyper-V Replica

•What’s New in Live Migration

•What’s New in Guest Clustering and VM Monitoring

More Info:

First Look Clinic Syllabus

Hands On Lab Syllabus

5) Microsoft IT Academy now  includes a number of enhanced resources including new online digital content and resources for more information click here

Click Here for the FREE E-Book on Windows Server 2012

Have you heard about .NET Gadgeteer?

.Net Gadgeteer is the powerful prototyping, cool hobbyist, unique teaching kit that was developed by the whizzes in Microsoft Research (yes – they like to play too). To learn more, check out a Channel 9 Video or simply watch the video below.

What is .NET Gadgeteer?

Microsoft .NET Gadgeteer is a rapid prototyping platform for small electronic gadgets and embedded hardware devices. It combines the advantages of object-oriented programming, solderless assembly of electronics using a kit of hardware modules, and quick physical enclosure fabrication using computer-aided design.

Individual .NET Gadgeteer modules can be easily connected together to construct both simple and sophisticated devices. Each module adds some extra capabilities, such as the ability to display images, playback sounds, take pictures, sense the environment, communicate with other devices or enable user interaction.

The platform is built on the .NET Micro Framework, which allows small devices to be programmed in the C# language and make use of Visual Studio’s programming and debugging tools.

This powerful combination allows fully functional devices to be prototyped in a matter of hours rather than days or weeks.

How can you get your hands on one?

It's OK – we're used to that question. We hear it every time we show the .NET Gadgeteer. Well, Microsoft has decided to Open Source the designs (Creative Commons) and libraries (Apache 2.0) for the .NET Gadgeteer to see how fast we can get it out to people who want to use it. We are actively recruiting hardware vendors who are interested in developing kits and modules to build out this ecosystem. If that describes you, contact us at gadgeteer@microsoft.com for more information.

How long will it be until I can get one?

We had some redesign work to do to insure that the system could really be open to a wide variety of designs. We are there now so keep an eye on this space for updates.

In the meantime, where can I actually see the current devices?

The .NET Gadgeteer is being displayed at a number of venues in the next few months including MIX11, TechEd 2011, and OSCON 2011.

Visit the following URLs for more details, information and Source Code

Faculty Connection Resource Site http://www.microsoft.com/education/facultyconnection/GB/articles/articledetails.aspx?cid=2329&c1=en-gb&c2=GB 

Codeplex Source Code Download http://gadgeteer.codeplex.com/

MS Research .NET Gadgeteer site http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/gadgeteer/default.aspx

.NET Gadgeteer Announcement site - http://netmf.com/gadgeteer/

Have something to add? Got a request or suggestion?

You can drop us a line at the same email address – gadgeteer@microsoft.com or follow us on Twitter at @netgadgeteer.

Today we made some exciting changes and improvements to DreamSpark, with the launch of a new site and rebranding of MSDNAA to Microsoft DreamSpark premium.

DreamSpark is the first step for educators to make learning more motivating, relevant, and engaging for today’s students by providing no cost access to professional-level development, design, and gaming software.

DreamSpark is:

A unique opportunity for both students and educators to use the latest professional development, design and gaming software at no charge

A chance to learn new technologies to excite students in classrooms

Access to software and curriculum resources to help develop courses that will enable students to achieve their career goals after graduation

A way to help educators expand their personal and professional portfolios and enhance classroom objectives

For Students

DreamSpark is simple; it's all about giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and designer tools at no charge so you can chase your dreams and create the next big breakthrough in technology - or just get a head start on your career.

DreamSpark gives Students the chance to develop world class software, web applications, cool and creative designs as well as amazing games. Microsoft believes that students can do amazing things if they only have the right tools.

For Academics

DreamSpark is about giving educators no cost access to Microsoft professional-level developer, designer and gaming software so they can reach, motivate, and ensure their students achieve their greatest potential. DreamSpark gives you the software and resources to ensure your classroom always has the latest technologies to challenge, motivate, and keep students engaged in new ways.

Learning must be relevant, exciting, and engaging. DreamSpark is aligned with universities, associations, and employers to ensure that educators are able to discover, create, and deliver courses to students that lead to increased technical proficiency, employability and of course creates the next generation of technical leaders.

· DreamSpark Pricing Model and usage

Free for all students – simply self-subscribe to DreamSpark via http://www.dreamspark.com

Free for all Schools being in the system and setup to provide their students verification solution
This was is through domain, shibboleth, or Live@Edu validation
Schools DreamSpark Administrators can request codes and give to their students

For more details regarding Microsoft Dreamspark offering contact the DreamSpark support team

NB. Licensing does not allow for the products to be used in class, and FREE licensing does not cover educators

Changes to licensing and costs

DreamSpark for Schools, College and Unis subscription is now available and priced at $99 FREE for EES customers – This change allows all DreamSpark software to be installed for teaching and learning on Institutional Lab machines and it’s a campus license as per EES so you only need to purchase 1 license and not 1 per school or faculty and if your a EES subscriber its included for FREE. (also it now covers educators and students for personal non-commercial usage and is available for all taught discipline, previously this only covered students usage and not licensed for intuitional equipment)

DreamSpark Premium – Previously MSDNAA so includes more products including Visio, OneNote and Project and is aimed at STEM FE and HE institutions and all IT Academy Subscribers. The cost has been reduced to $499 from £1000+ (also it now covers educators and students for personal non-commercial usage and all lab installations)

Microsoft was started when many of the founders were still students so we know that anything is possible. To make this happen, we are aligning with universities, associations, and other communities around the world to make sure that DreamSpark reaches everyone as fast as possible.

We are pleased to announce new versions of Blend + Sketchflow preview for Visual Studio 2012. Bringing Blend and Visual Studio together offers more value. Blend is a great tool offering a wide variety of designers and developers the ability to quickly and easily build great looking and powerful UI.

These new versions make available capabilities that were previously only available in Expression Blend such as Windows Presentation Foundation, Silverlight and SketchFlow support, unifying the design-centric tools for building Windows Store Apps and Windows desktop apps to Visual Studio users.

This is for evaluation only and none of the platforms contain a go-live license. Therefore you SHOULD use other released versions of Blend for production work. 

What is the Blend + Sketchflow Preview for Visual Studio 2012?

Blend for Visual Studio 2012 can help you design user interfaces for applications with robust tools that solve complex design tasks for building Windows Store apps.

The Blend + Sketchflow Preview introduces powerful WYSIWYG design capabilities to Visual Studio developers by providing support for WPF and Silverlight.

What is the difference between Blend + SketchFlow Preview for Visual Studio 2012 and Blend for Visual Studio 2012 RTW? Do I need both?

Blend for Visual Studio 2012 is a unique, innovative authoring tool with rich visual tools for creating Windows store apps using HTML/CSS and XAML. Blend is installed with most versions of Visual Studio 2012.

Blend + SketchFlow Preview for Visual Studio 2012 delivers WPF, Silverlight, and SketchFlow support compatible with Visual Studio 2012. You can install this alongside Visual Studio 2012 RTW.

What is SketchFlow; how does it differ from Storyboarding in Visual Studio 2012?

SketchFlow provides an informal and quick way to explore, iterate and prototype user interface scenarios. SketchFlow is for building working prototypes of software for developers, while the new storyboarding capability allows PowerPoint to be used for capturing lightweight requirements from stakeholders.

Resources

· http://blendinsider.com/

· http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us

Over the past few weeks, I have had a few questions around the ability of Windows Azure http://www.windowsazure.com/education to run non Windows operating systems. In this post I will explain the process of  installing Linux on Windows Azure.

Firstly some key facts about Windows Azure support for Linux 

Creating a virtual machine that is running the Linux operating system is easy when you use the image gallery in the Windows Azure Preview Management Portal. With no prior experience with Windows Azure, you can create a virtual machine running the Linux operating system in the cloud that you can access and customize.

Images are provided by these trusted members of the Linux community:

Here is a step by step walkthrough adapted from Bruno Terkaly Blog http://blogs.msdn.com/b/brunoterkaly   

1. Open Internet Explorer and browse https://manage.windowsazure.com to enter the Windows Azure portal. Then, log in with your credentials.
2. In the menu located at the bottom, select New | Virtual Machine | From Gallery to start creating a new virtual machine.

1. Select "From Gallery" to start creating a new virtual machine.
2. Gallery will provide a list of available operating systems.

Select a flavour of Linux

 Selecting a flavour of Linux

1. Not including your own, you can choose your VM to run the following Systems:
   • Microsoft SQL Server 2012
     • This image contains the full version of SQL Server, including all components except Distributed Replay, Always On, and Clustering capabilities.
   • Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
     • Windows Server 2008 R2 is a multi-purpose server designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of your server or private cloud infrastructure.
   • Windows Server 2012
     • Windows Server 2012 incorporates Microsoft's experience building and operating public clouds, resulting in a dynamic, highly available server platform. It offers a scalable, dynamic and multi-tenant-aware infrastructure that helps securely connect across premises.
   • CentOS 6.2
     • This distribution of CentOS version 6.2 is provided by OpenLogic and contains an installation of the Basic Server packages
   • OpenSUSE64-12.1
     • OpenSUSE Linux 64 Bits (IAAS M1 Preview)
     • This is the distribution with Yast2
   • Suse Linux Enterprise Server
     • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is a highly reliable, scalable, and secure server operating system, built to power mission-critical workloads in both physical and virtual environments. It is an affordable, interoperable, and manageable open source foundation
   • Ubuntu Server 12.04
     • Ubuntu Server 12.04 amd64 20120528.1
     • Ubuntu Server 12.04 (Precise Pangolin) amd64 20120528.1 Cloud Image

1. You will need to provide:
   • Virtual Machine Name
   • User Name
   • Password
   • Size (larger VMs allow up to 14GB of memory)
2. Some guidelines regarding Administrator account
   1. Rename the Default Administrator Account
   2. When you rename the default Administrator account, it removes the obvious indication that this account has elevated privileges.
   3. Although an attacker still needs the password to use the default Administrator account, a renamed default Administrator account adds an additional layer of protection against elevation of privilege attacks.
   4. Note: Renaming the default administrator account hinders only certain types of attack.
   5. Additionally, tools are available that enumerate group members, and these always list the original administrator account first.
   6. For the best protection against attacks on your built-in administrator account, create a new administration account and then disable the built-in account.

Specifying Linux VM Details

1. The DNS name is the name of your Linux OS in the cloud
2. Specify a storage account or automatically generate one
   • This is so you can store tables, blobs, and queues
3. Specify region or affinity
   • Affinity is a useful concept.
     • It allows you to group dependant Windows Azure services, and deploy those in one place if possible
       • If your services are dependant on each other it is good if those are co-located, so that transactions between them are executed faster.
         • The best option is if the network hops between your hosted services are minimized as much as possible
       • Lowering your bill - For the most part bandwidth within the data center is free of charge

1. Availability sets means that your VMs will be distributed across different fault domains in the data center.
2. This means if an entire rack goes down, you will have a running instance available

Your Virtual Machine Running (Portal)

1. The Linux OS is up and running after just a few minutes.
2. We now need to test connectivity
3. We will use the Putty tool(s)

Understanding the Dashboard, Endpoints, and Configuration

1. You have a few choices here:
   • Dashboard
     • Usage Overview
     • Status
     • URL
     • HostName
     • Public Virtual IP Address
     • SSH Details
     • Size
     • Disks
     • Location
     • Deployment ID
     • Subscription Name
     • Subscription ID
   • Endpoints
     • Name
     • Protocol (UDP or TCP)
     • Public Port
     • Private Port
     • Load Balanced
   • Configure
     • Virtual Machine Size
     • Availability Set

  How to open endpoints to your Linux VM

1. Each VM can have attached a number of disks for storing data, and communicates with other VMs through endpoints
2. Endpoints are simply TCP or UDP ports that can be configured individually

Opening a TCP port

1. Note the:
   • Name
   • Protocol
     • TCP or UDP
   • Public Port (access from outside the data center)
   • Private Port (from within the data center)

Working with Putty

1. Now that you have provisioned and configured a Linux Virtual Machine, you will connect by using an SSH client.
2. Note: You can download Putty, a free SSH client for Windows, here:
   • http://www.putty.org/
3. Putty offers the following:
   • PuTTY (the Telnet and SSH client itself)
   • PSCP (an SCP client, i.e. command-line secure file copy)
   • PSFTP (an SFTP client, i.e. general file transfer sessions much like FTP)
   • PuTTYtel (a Telnet-only client)
   • Plink (a command-line interface to the PuTTY back ends)
   • Pageant (an SSH authentication agent for PuTTY, PSCP, PSFTP, and Plink)
   • PuTTYgen (an RSA and DSA key generation utility).

  Starting Putty

1. Login with your credentials
   • User Name and Password (you provided this previously)
2. You can get the SSH details from the portal

Your terminal screen to your Linux VM

1. You will need to login with your previous password.
2. Once you do that, you are now logged in.

What if you already have a Linux Sever you simply want to move to the cloud?

Here is a quick step by step guide for creating and Uploading a Virtual Hard Disk that Contains the Linux Operating System

You create a virtual machine in Windows Azure by using a virtual hard disk (VHD) file. You can choose to create a virtual machine by using a VHD file that is supplied for you in the Image Gallery, or you can choose to create your own image and upload it to Windows Azure in a VHD file.

Create a Linux virtual machine using a partner solution

Choose one of the partners below for help creating Linux virtual machines in Windows Azure:

Create a Linux virtual machine with your own image

Learn how to create your own virtual hard drive (VHD) with a Linux operating system on it, and then upload it and use it to create a Linux virtual machine in Windows Azure.

Linux Azure command-line tool. If you are using a Linux operating system to create your image, you use this tool to upload the VHD file. To download the tool, see Windows Azure Command-Line Tools for Linux and Mac.    

CSUpload command-line tool. This tool is a part of the Windows Azure SDK. You use this tool to set the connection to Windows Azure and upload the VHD file. You must use the tools available in Windows Azure SDK - June 2012 or later to upload VHDs to Windows Azure. To download the SDK and the tools, see Windows Azure Downloads.

On the 12th of July 2011 Microsoft released the Surface 2.0 SDK.

The SDK simply makes it easy to create engaging experiences, using multitouch and object interaction, for the next generation device for Microsoft Surface – the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface.

The Surface 2.0 SDK replaces the Microsoft Surface Toolkit for Windows Touch Beta that was released last year.

Download the SDK and find training, documentation, and guidance on the new Surface development center at www.msdn.com/windows/surface/

Overview

The Microsoft® Surface® 2.0 SDK is a set of controls, APIs, templates, tools, sample applications, and documentation for application developers. Using the familiar .NET Framework 4.0, Windows Presentation Framework 4.0 (WPF) or XNA framework 4.0, and the Surface 2.0 SDK, developers can quickly and consistently create innovative applications that take advantage of the new PixelSense™ technology delivered in the Surface 2.0 platform.

The next generation Surface device, the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface, was announced in January 2011 and will be available to commercial customers in 23 countries later this year. For more information on the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface, visit www.surface.com.

Library Controls	Element Menu
The Input Simulator	Raw Image Visualizer

 System Requirements

The Surface 2.0 SDK runs on the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface or a PC with a 32-bit or 64-bit edition of one of the following Windows® 7 operating systems:

Windows 7 Home Premium

Windows 7 Professional

Windows 7 Ultimate

Additional Requirements:

• Microsoft Visual C#® 2010 Express Edition or Microsoft Visual Studio® 2010
• Microsoft .NET 4.0.
• Microsoft XNA® Framework Redistributable is required to run some Surface SDK samples.
• Microsoft Expression Blend® 4 is recommended to edit XAML code that defines user interface

The Surface SDK supports input devices such as mouse, touch, and tagged objects. With the Surface SDK, you can develop an application that supports various types of input. However, to test your application in a touch-enabled environment, your computer must have a touch-screen digitizer.

SDK Contents

The Surface SDK contains the following resources:

Note: When you are ready to distribute an application that you have created with the Surface SDK, download the Microsoft® Surface® 2.0 Runtime from MSDN and include it with your installation package. The Surface SDK Runtime contains the reference assemblies that are required to run your application.

Surface API

There are two types of APIs; presentation API and core APIs. The Presentation APIs use Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), which is the standard choice for developing touch-enabled applications. The cores APIs are .NET platform agnostic APIs that enable querying a raw image directly and registering for touch events. Learn more about the core API at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff727894(v=Surface.20).aspx.

Surface Controls

Your touch-enabled application will usually contain one or more Surface controls. Some of these controls are specialized counterparts to WPF controls, and others enable you to include functionality in your application in ways that have no WPF counterpart. The following table summarizes the controls that are included in the Microsoft Surface SDK for Windows Touch Beta.

Sample Application Projects

The sample applications that come with the Surface SDK show several different programming techniques in a complete application. You can use these applications as a starting point for more complete applications or just as examples of best practices in Surface programming. For information about obtaining the sample files, see Extracting and Installing the Surface Samples.

Samples that use the Core layer and XNA Framework

Samples that use the Presentation Layer (WPF)

There are many ways to learn technology around the world. We realize that sometimes the way students can master professional tools is on their own time with your friends.

Microsoft goal is to support them with the access to tools, training and a platform to connect.

Student Tech Clubs are communities of students, problem solvers, challenge seekers, people who love to discover everything they can do with the latest technology.

The program is there to help student to start and run a Student Tech Club at your University or to help support existing student computer societies.

Tools like surveys, member administration, newsletters, invitations to events, event calendar, support materials created by Microsoft Product Groups, access to speakers and resources are some of the features that you can take advantage today using this.

So if you or your institution are interested in promoting the opportunity of Microsoft Student Tech Clubs on your campus please see the following presentation which contains all the information and advice.

So how do you go about developing Metro Style Apps for Windows 8?

‘Metro style’ apps are built for the new Metro touch interface for Windows 8, and will be able to run on any Windows 8 device, whether that’s full function PCs and laptops, or the different kind of Windows 8 slate devices running Intel or ARM chips. If you’re already testing the Windows 8 Release Preview, you’ll know that an Intel-based computer running Windows 8 can run all of your existing Windows software, plus the new Metro style apps.

Microsoft Surface http://www.surface.com  

Useful resources to building Windows 8 Metro Style apps

• MSDN Webcast series on developing Windows 8 Metro style apps
• Jennifer Marsman’s new series: Developing a Windows 8 Metro App
  • Part One: Why Would You Want to Develop a Metro Application for Windows 8?
  • Part Two: Getting Started
• Porting an iPad app to a Metro app – this article, focused on design, shows how to transition between these user experiences
• Rethinking a website as a Metro app – shows the design process of reimagining a food truck website as a Metro app
• Migrating a web app to a Metro style app – development and conversion of a front-end web app to a Metro app using HTML/JavaScript
• Migrating a website to a Metro style app – this short article is focused on development and discusses some back-end considerations like communication, streaming, security, client package deployment, data sharing, and syndication
• Migrate/port a Windows Phone 7 app to a Metro style app

Resources from TechEd Europe

A Selection of useful videos from Microsoft TechEd Europe 2012 on Metro Style App development

FREE Ebook

• The life story of a Metro Style App
• Quickstart
• App Anatomy and Page Navigation
• Controls, Control Styling, and Basic Data Binding

And the further 14 chapters will come out over the next few months. But if you’re interested in getting started, or you’ve got students that you know will want to have a go, then this is a good start.

You can either download it in PDF directly, or go and read a bit more about it on the Microsoft Press blog.

Here’s a long list of more free technical ebooks from Microsoft Press.