WP7 Archive

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Got 30 days? Make an app!

Generation App is Microsoft’s web resource focused on helping developers, and potential developers, navigate the app creation process from beginning to end. It’s a handy site where you can find a lot of the information you need all in one place.

In June, Microsoft launched Generation App by announcing a “30 to Launch” promotion, where they would give potential developers resources and support to create the app they’ve always wanted.  At the end, the top app developers would end up winning prizes.

It is too late to enter this particular contest, but the resources are still available at Generation App to help you create that app of your dreams. After all, creating something new and awesome is the real prize, isn’t it? If you can commit yourself for 30 days, then Microsoft has the resources you need to get an app up and running.

The site has two main sections: one focuses on Windows 8 app development, while the other focuses on Windows phone. Many of the things you learn will apply to both.  So if you create your app for one of these platforms, you should be able to get another version of that app up and running on the other platform fairly quickly.

Give it a try and tell us what you come up with!

Source: Generation App

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Lumia 900 Update Fixes Purple Hue

Updated firmware on the Nokia Lumia 900Seems Nokia is at it again, with updates to their Lumia 900 brand. This time Nokia is fixing the pesky bug thats been plaguing the 900 series. A strange purple hue has been blanketing phones when using a dim or low backlight setting. If you are on AT&T, and own a Lumia 900, go ahead and connect it to your zune service and get the update right now. Hit the jump for the official bug fixes.
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Need testers? Need to be a tester?

Windows Phone website and store WPCentral has a forum that can be pretty useful for app developers and testers alike. Developers can post about their apps and upcoming testers can choose to test any apps they find interesting. A real win-win-situation.

Developers should definitely check this forum out. Apps can never be tested too thoroughly and free, enthusiastic workforce can be hard to find! This is also a very good chance for people to try out what it’s like to do some software testing. Maybe you can even land a “real” job with your new testing experience?

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Check out these handy lists of must-have free apps!

Simple, casual, frustrating, but also free!

Web designer Joe Steinkamp has made two very handy lists of free, must-have Windows Phone apps on his website. The first list has apps that are completely free and without ads, while the other lists ad supported apps.

It’s always nice to have someone separate the really good stuff from a (moderately sized) sea of free apps for you. There are some beatiful starfish in there, but also ravenous sharks and a lot of rotten seaweed. They say that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but some of these listed apps do come pretty close if you ask us!

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Microsoft details upcoming improvements on Marketplace

As the marketplace continues to expand, Microsoft stressed it is not satisfied with just increasing the quantity of apps.

Todd Brix, a Windows Phone executive, highlighted four points for developers to remember when trying to publish an app on the Windows Phone marketplace: avoid trademark trouble, maintain a high sense of quality, use succinct keywords and have a good sense of judgment in dealing with apps that could be deemed racy.

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Want to build an app? Check out these guides!

So the story begins...

If you’ve ever wanted to develop a Windows Phone app but didn’t know where to start, worry no more. Microsoft has some handy guides for you to find out more about the process and get your work going. The guides themselves seem pretty concise, but they also have many links to example code, tutorial videos and all kinds of resources.

Aspiring developers should definitely check them out, even if you’re an absolute beginner. Everyone has to start somewhere and these guides are a great way to understand Windows Phone development. Reach for the stars, new developers! We look forward to playing your games and using your apps soon!

…unless, of course, they are really, really bad. Just remember not to give up even if that happens!

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77% of the top 100 Windows Phone apps are cross platform

WinSource has taken a closer look at the Marketplace and found out something interesting: only 23 apps in the top 100 are exclusive to the Windows Phone platform. Could this have something to do with Microsoft’s strategy of funding ports of popular apps? The WinSource’s list is here, slightly modified to take recent changes into account:

Well, of course it's a popular game! The developer clearly tries to appeal to our protective instincts by threatening to blow up adorable gerbils. Shame on them!

1. Gerbil Physics by Microsoft Studios
2. DODONPACHI MAXIMUM by Cave
3. Rise of Glory by Microsoft Studios
4. Toy Soldiers: Boot Camp by Microsoft Studios
5. Chickens Can’t Fly by Microsoft Studios
6. Phone 8 by Sascha Rothe
7. SuperMusic by Fast Code
8. rowi by Hidden Pineapple
9. The Harvest by Microsoft Studios
10. YouTube Download by Lovo Apps
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The next major Windows Phone will be backwards compatible with current apps

It's probably safe to go on a shopping binge now...

Microsoft revealed some good news for both developers and users last week: today’s Windows Phone applications and games will run on the next major version of the Windows Phone! This pretty much guarantees that developers can go out there and develop their apps, knowing they still have a future after the current Windows Phone version and users don’t have to buy their apps again when moving onto the new version.

Backwards compatibility should absolutely be common courtesy when developing new platforms. It’s very disappointing when companies fail to protect their customers’ and developers’ existing investments. You know who you are!

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You do know about Skulls of the Shogun, right?

Slightly surrounded, no worries.

Skulls of the Shogun was showcased last week on PAX East, and according to previews, the game seems to be something to keep an eye out for, especially if you’re a turn-based strategy fan. Just a little PSA for people who may have missed this potential gem.

The fact that Skulls of the Shogun is a turn-based strategy game is probably enough for some people to get excited. After all, devices with a touchscreen work really well with turn-based strategy gameplay. But wait, there’s more: the game tells the story of a medieval Japanese warlord, stabbed in the back just before attaining the rank of a shogun. Afterlife isn’t much betterhe needs to wait in line to actually enter the samurai paradise. He’s obviously somewhat furious at this point, so he gathers a small undead army to gain his rightful place in heaven. Hijinks ensue! Read the rest of this entry »

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Microsoft shovels money towards developers in hopes of more apps

Finally! More social networks!

It’s a well known fact that Windows Phone is behind its competitors when it comes to the amount of apps available on it. The New York Times reports that Microsoft has stepped in to help the situation by offering free phones and free advertisement as an incentive for developers to fill out the store. It has even financed porting of well-known mobile apps from different platforms.

While this plan does smell slightly desperate, it seems to be somewhat effective. Some developers welcome the extra funding with open arms, but others seem to put their priorities on more established platforms. At the moment, Microsoft has more than 70,000 apps in its store, still way behind the nearly 400,000 Android apps and more than 600,000 Apple apps.

Analysts say, however, that Microsoft is nearing the point where the numbers stop being important. They need all the popular apps of other platforms, and a few killer apps of their own. This new business strategy has bagged them a few well-known products, like the social networking site Foursquare.
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