Windows Phone 7 Apps Thread

[FanIn80]

I'm really interested in seeing what kind of apps come out for Windows Phone 7...

To kick things off, MS Office!

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile

[kermitology]

As a mobile apps developer, I have to say that I'm really impressed with the WP7 SDK. There is a huge population of C#/.NET developers out there who can create some awesome apps really quickly.

[FanIn80]

Yeah, exactly. That's why I really want to keep an eye on this. Bells and whistles are one thing, but it's the apps that really make or break a platform.

[HotHotHeat]

Any WP7's released in Canada yet? The OS looks pretty cool. I sincerely hope MS is for real with this release.

[FanIn80]

I was just looking into it. Rogers has the Samsung Focus: http://www.rogers.com/web/link/wirel...709+4294966826

Truth be told, I haven't spent much time looking at hardware.

[Mazrim]

Telus has the HTC 7 Surround (the one with the huge speaker and apparently one of the weaker choices) and both Bell and Telus have the LG Optimus 7, which is touted to be the best of the WP7 phones.

[FanIn80]

I need some more infos though. Things like would I be beholden to the phone manufacturer for OS updates (Google), or will MS handle their own updates (Apple)?

[Burninator]

The Samsung Focus looks like the best out there. Telus has the HTC Surround, which is dumb, and an LG phone.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I need some more infos though. Things like would I be beholden to the phone manufacturer for OS updates (Google), or will MS handle their own updates (Apple)?

I read in the comments of the endgadget review that the it's not fragmented, which I assume refers to Android updates being different with each phone manufacturer?

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I need some more infos though. Things like would I be beholden to the phone manufacturer for OS updates (Google), or will MS handle their own updates (Apple)?

What I heard from Windows Weekly is that the carriers can only delay an update till the next update release. But the talk is that carriers are not interested in delaying the updates at all (why would they?).

I don't believe the Windows Phone 7 OS can be skinned like the Android is. So it won't have the same problem with waiting for the skins to be updated. I also believe Microsoft has stricter guidelines for hardware than Android does which would make updates easier as well.

[FanIn80]

Ok that's not too bad. What about the carriers though? Would I still have to wait for Rogers to post it when it's all said and done, or...

You know. A Windows Update service on the phone wouldn't be a bad idea. Hell, even getting phone updates from Windows Update on your PC while the phone is plugged into it would be pretty nice.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Burninator

What I heard from Windows Weekly is that the carriers can only delay an update till the next update release. But the talk is that carriers are not interested in delaying the updates at all (why would they?).

I don't believe the Windows Phone 7 OS can be skinned like the Android is. So it won't have the same problem with waiting for the skins to be updated. I also believe Microsoft has stricter guidelines for hardware than Android does which would make updates easier as well.

I've seen a Sense UI implementation on WP7 but it was just different applications with some fancy animations as panels on the home screen (weather etc.). It looked horribly out of place. HTC completly missed the point of the Metro UI.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Ok that's not too bad. What about the carriers though? Would I still have to wait for Rogers to post it when it's all said and done, or...

You know. A Windows Update service on the phone wouldn't be a bad idea. Hell, even getting phone updates from Windows Update on your PC while the phone is plugged into it would be pretty nice.

Here is a good article on it which can explain it way better than I can.

http://windowsphonesecrets.com/2010/...those-updates/

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Burninator

Here is a good article on it which can explain it way better than I can.

http://windowsphonesecrets.com/2010/...those-updates/

Awesome. Thanks, man. That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

[sa226]

Its will be interesting to see how successful these things become.

Windows phones have always had a large number of apps available but they are horribly outdated and quite difficult to find. Not to mention up until WP7 I think developers just stopped caring about Windows mobile devices.

I wonder if maybe Microsoft is a little late coming to the party. I would imagine many of the previously loyal Windows Mobile users jumped ship long ago.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by sa226

I wonder if maybe Microsoft is a little late coming to the party.

They've been late to the party before, but that that doesn't stop people from buying Xboxes.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by sa226

Its will be interesting to see how successful these things become.

Windows phones have always had a large number of apps available but they are horribly outdated and quite difficult to find. Not to mention up until WP7 I think developers just stopped caring about Windows mobile devices.

I wonder if maybe Microsoft is a little late coming to the party. I would imagine many of the previously loyal Windows Mobile users jumped ship long ago.

They are late to the party but seem to be bringing the right stuff. Good things from iOS and Android...

Thankfully for them, there is hardly anyone at the party yet and RIM got drunk way to fast and is already heading home.

[HotHotHeat]

Agreed, RIM has fallen behind so far. Honestly, I don't feel like they've ever actually developed anything for the average non-business consumer.

[FanIn80]

For interested developers, here's an email I just received from App Hub (MS dev community site).

Of particular interest is some security policy highlighting, as well as free Dotfuscator for VS.

November 15, 2010

Windows Phone 7 devices are now available in countries around the world, and more and more customers are visiting Windows Phone Marketplace every day. Apps are selling, developers are finishing up projects and the Marketplace is off to a great start with more than 2,000 apps and games available. As we all enjoy this early success, some developers have expressed an interest in learning about how their apps and games are protected. As a Windows Phone developer you can be assured that Windows Phone Marketplace is operating as designed in providing a level of protection that is in-line with industry practices and sufficient for our own valued content. You can learn about our protection model in the Windows Phone Marketplace Anti-Piracy Model white paper, which outlines our perspective on leak prevention and leak containment.

It is important to note that because of the leak containment steps Microsoft takes applications obtained outside of Marketplace will not run on consumer retail devices. Modified files would only run on a limited number of “unlocked” phones, such as those that have been registered by Marketplace developers on App Hub. It’s also worth noting that in extreme cases, the Windows Phone Marketplace is capable of un-publishing any application, disabling individual applications already installed, or disabling a developer’s account and their use of a developer unlocked phone.

One powerful tool for protecting your apps and games is code obfuscation, which is a long standing best practice for managed code. Obfuscation is available tools like the Dotfuscator product recently announced for Windows Phone 7 applications. Microsoft has partnered with PreEmptive Solutions to make this tool, as well as a robust application analytics solution, available to Windows Phone developers for free through March 31st, 2011. As always we will continue working to respond to evolving threats, strengthen security and anti-piracy measures, and provide developers with more options to secure their code. For the latest Microsoft guidance on this or other Marketplace topics you can also visit the Marketplace Developer Forums.

The Windows Phone Marketplace Team

Edit: This email isn't protected by any kind of NDA or anything like that, so I should be fine posting it here. It's not copied from a website.

[tripin_billie]

I just got the HTC Arrive on Sprint and I'm really liking the OS. I'm just hoping for a Settlers of Catan game for it sometime soon.

I really like how snappy it is though.