The Windows Mobile RSS (Reed and Steve Stuff) Feed : consumer apps

Microsoft OneApp – what is that thing?

hegenderfer — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:15:56 GMT

Okay, so this is officially my second week in the OneApp team, and I must say I am really impressed with the group…sharp cookies one and all. I am definitely bringing down the bell curve here :)

But I am equally as jazzed around the opportunities that OneApp will bring to mobile developers world wide. The ability to reach MILLIONS of users with the EXACT SAME code base ACROSS DEVICES…that is cool!

Of course, the reason we can do this is because we have a CLR that runs above a VM on the device (and boy, it’s a tiny shim…very efficient). So, you won’t be ‘going native’ with OneApp to the metal (so to speak), but you can create some extremely cool apps.

Best of all, for you folks out there that like to tinker, the platform supports free apps and a free tool chain…when I say free, I mean free. As in really free. As in, no cost (aside from your valuable time, of course). I’ll have more info to share in the coming weeks and months, but it is very nice.

And the distribution model should be killer as well (remember the MILLIONS of users ACROSS DEVICES thing above…was that a gratuitous use of caps?).

We are still finalizing some pieces of the business models and such, so I can’t talk about those right now, but I will say that this is a different model…flat out. I think you’ll like it :)

At any rate, as I dig in more, expect me to post more (like I used to); and as tools become available, I’ll try to let you all know about ‘em ASAP!

In the words of my friend John Smith (Xbox team)…peace.

Hegenderfer

WM 6.0 and 6.1 Support in Windows Marketplace for Mobile

hegenderfer — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:28:31 GMT

If you haven't heard the news already, we will be supporting WM6.0/6.1/6.5 in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. This is great news for app devs, as it gives you all over 30 million sockets that are already existing world wide :)

Here is Todd Brix's blog entry around the announce.

Chris Craft's 30 WM Apps in 30 Days

hegenderfer — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:26:25 GMT

I know that most of you have already seen this, but if you haven't, it is DEFINITELY worth taking a look at.

Chris decided to build 30 Windows Mobile apps in 30 days...and a LOT of these apps are really useful! Go ahead, take a look!

My favorite, I think, is the Mobile Capture app (day 5). Give it a shot :)

Hegenderfer

Webcasts on Windows Mobile Application Development

hegenderfer — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:28:11 GMT

In case you missed these, they make for great lunch time watches :)

Part 1: Developing Applications for Windows Mobile Devices (now available on-demand)

Part 2: Developing Your First Real Windows Mobile 6 Application (now available on-demand)

Part 3: Using Device Capabilities and Device Functionality (now available on-demand)

Part 4: Mobile Data Strategies and Synchronization Using SQL Server Compact, XML, and LINQ (Wednesday 28-May)

Part 5: Windows Mobile Development - Live from TechEd Orlando (Wednesday 4-June)

Good watching :)

Steve

Expanding the Reach - Going Consumer

hegenderfer — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:09:42 GMT

Okay, this has always been something of a pet project for me, if you will. Sure, I work in MCB and focus on the business side of the house, but it's really the consumers that move the majority of devices (and then force IT to support them).

So, what I'm looking for now are experiences: what are the best, coolest experiences out there on mobile devices (doesn't have to be a Windows Mobile device)? I'm interested in going out there, meeting the folks who do this stuff, and trying to get them some love from Microsoft. But more then anything, I want to make the Windows Mobile platform cool for the consumer.

So, what are the really compelling things out there? What should I be looking at? Are there partners out there that do something so totally awesome that I HAVE to know about them?

Are rampaging hamsters cool? Could we make a compelling mobile experience around that? Is there anyone out there who CAN make the 'rampaging hamster experience' on a mobile device? And who are they?

I'm looking for comments people (or email me at steveheg@microsoft.com )...bring it on!

Hegenderfer