Apr 5, 2014 |

What is new in Windows Phone 8.1 – The Best Bits

I wasn’t lucky enough to go to //Build/ this year, but that didn’t prevent me from keeping a keen eye on the new goodies that were revealed and presented. I have been waiting with great anticipation to hear all of the news, and especially my Twitter feed has been studied very closely on the past few days.

So what was revealed exactly? Obviously Windows Phone 8.1, which I will get back to, but also new handsets from Nokia (or is it Microsoft?), Xamarin news, Windows updates and much more. In fact there was so much that many details were missed initially. But let’s go through the best bits of Windows Phone 8.1. Continue Reading

wp8.1

Apr 2, 2014 |

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5 Things You Didn’t Know Windows Phone Could Do

Tonight I shared my thoughts on 5 things I thought most people wouldn’t know about. The event was What Do You Know in Melbourne, and I was last to give my 5 minute talk out of 11 speakers. That just meant I could go a little over time…. woops.

The 5 things in the talk were:

Nokia Mix Radio: The API and the integration points you can use inside your next Windows Phone app.
The amazing cameras on Windows Phone and the Nokia Imaging SDK.
Custom URI Schemes to integrate platform settings into your app.
Magic powers: Name that Tune, QR code reader, Local Scout.
Make You Rich!!: Microsoft pays out more money than Apple and Google.

The presentation can be downloaded from here.

speaking wdyk

Apr 1, 2014 |

2 comments

Achievement Unlocked – Windows Phone Development MVP

This morning there was awesome in my Outlook inbox on my Windows Phone. Over the last 8 months I have genuinely shown my passion for the Windows Phone ecosystem through authoring Pluralsight courses, blog articles on several websites, public talks, mentoring other developers, building apps, organising a conference and generally educating and helping anyone willing to listen to my ramblings. I have even been invited by Nokia to Sweden to build prototyping software for the Lumia 1020 when that came out.

I have not done this to specifically target the community in a certain way, but rather I have organically helped out where I can and given back where possible.

I am really proud to announce that this morning Microsoft rewarded me with an MVP award for Windows Phone Development. This is a great doff of the hat from Microsoft, and I can’t wait to be even more involved in the Windows Phone community in the future.

Thanks to my best mate Alex Mackey for nominating me and providing guidance in who to bri… I mean influence.

award awesome

Mar 31, 2014 |

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Review: Intempo TableTop iTower Bluetooth Speaker

First impression is that you get a lot for your money. For just over $30, this is an impressive box and weight. It actually feel like you have bought something quality like and not just another Chinese mass produced product (even though it is).

Unpacking

The box really is all speaker. There is a small box of wires and a manual, but other than that the Intempo speaker takes up all the space. You also get a double jack lead, which I will get back to. And then most puzzling of the lot, you get a power cord with a UK main plug. No adaptor. I didn’t have a UK adaptor for an Australian plug. To me, that is just poor consumer maintenance. If I can’t use your new toy straight out of the box, I get frustrated and annoyed. I want to try it out right now.

I got in contact with Mobile Zap, and they assured me it was a warehouse mistake and sent out a converter plug quick smart. All good.

Mar 24, 2014 |

4 comments

Free Market – The Wrong Way to Develop Windows Phone Apps

[update]: I have been made aware that “Free Market” has been pulled from the store. As much as I would love to think this article had an influence, the important thing is that the topic of maintaining the Windows Phone eco-system as developers, is discussed.

Earlier today I was made aware of the Windows Phone app “Free Market”. Nothing unusual about that; I look at tons of apps all the time. However, this one made me half cringe, half sweat. Basically, it is an app that allows you to search the Store for an app, and then the app will check every single location to see if the app is free in any other market.

apps rant

Mar 18, 2014 |

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Ten reasons to be a Windows Phone Developer

1 DVLUP

One of my favourite parts of being a developer is the DVLUP portal and network. Essentially it is a gamification initiative to provide encouragement and incentive to developers to build and enhance apps with specific features. As a developer you earn experience points (XP), which you can then trade in for really cool stuff like device, earphones or design reviews and licenses for tools. It really gives you an extra push to get your apps done by a certain date to get that Lumia 1020 or an hour in the hands of a designer that can help you get the right workflow and layout.

DVLUP is free to join and fully integrates with your Microsoft account as well.

top 10

Mar 11, 2014 |

1 comment

Nokia Camera Grip – Excel Your Mobile Photography with Lumia 1020

Unpacking

As with any Nokia product the initial look and feel of the packaging is of quality. To me Nokia has always packaged their products well. It might be my Scandinavian background, but I appreciate an understated and clean livery for the product. Unpacking the box reveals a pack on manuals (who ever reads those?), a leather wrist strap and the grip itself.

camera grip lumia 1020

Feb 25, 2014 |

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#WinPhan Scavenger Hunt

Our friends at #WinPhan is launching the Scavenger hunt. Read below for all the details.

Win WP prizes and more for entering your photos of Windows Phone themed targets!

IDEA: #WinPhan Scavenger Hunt

DESCRIPTION:
This scavenger hunt contest will span 5 months commencing on the March 1st, awarding 1 Windows Phone themed prize per week for the first four weeks and bimonthly for the remaining 4 months for a total of 12 prizes. Each week an entrant will be drawn via a random number selecting software and awarded without bias. The 12 winning finalists will be automatically entered into a random final drawing for the grand prizes, a Lumia 1020 and a Lumia 1520. Weekly/fortnightly prizes will be detailed in each relative announcement post on Winphan.net.

RULES:
To participate, register at http://winphan.net, (registration required so that we can verify your email) simply take a picture of the target theme for that week, then share a OneDrive(SkyDrive) link of that photo to: contest [at] winphan.net A maximum of 2 entries per participant is allowed per target theme/contest round.

TIMES:
Each target theme will be posted on Monday’s at 8am PST and entries must be submitted by the following Sunday’s at 5pm PST for the weekly and every other Sunday at 5pm PST for the bimonthly. Winners will be announced on Tuesdays via our website winphan.net, Facebook page and Twitter accounts [@winphan_global, @thewinphan].

CONTACT:

Winners will be contacted via email on occasion of weekly draw announcement. An email will be sent requesting certain details, Full Name, Phone Number, shipping address, clothing sizes and preferences if applicable, and any other information that may be deemed necessary by us to deliver prizes in an expedited manner.

Any information collected by Winphan.net will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy, and not shared in any way with any other entity.

Failure of any contestants to respond to email in a timely manner, [ie; one month from the most recent attempt by winphan.net to contact them] will result in prize forfeit, and another random drawing for the prize to be awarded to another participant from the same round of the contest.

This contest is open to people from all parts of the globe, and irrespective of what device the images submitted to the scavenger hunt are produced on.

SCAVENGER HUNT TARGET ITEMS: (Each Weekly Target Theme Are To Be announced On Monday’s)

WP SWAG(Pens, Stickers, etc.)
WP Clothing
WP7 Device
WP DIY Project(Holders, Cases)
WP Art(Kids Drawings, Your Drawings, Unique WP)
WP In The Wild
WP(W8) Ads(Billboards,Print,Adverts)
WP Converts
Your WP Carrier or MS Store(Selfie)
Multiple WP(Collections)
WP Cameos(Movies/TV/Music)
WP Food And Beverage(Baking/latte art)

PRIZE LIST:

WEEKLY PRIZES:

WP SWAG
WP Clothing
Accessories
WP App Vouchers

GRAND PRIZE:

Lumia 1520
Lumia 1020

About #WinPhan

Windows+Phone+Fan=#WinPhan!

#WinPhan is a community built to connect Windows Phone owners, offer support, spread the good word about Windows Phone, and bring the lighter side of WP to you! Our #WinPhan community is comprised of Windows Phone enthusiasts, average users, beginners, developers, fanboys, and fangirls! Together, we all share in our admiration and appreciation for Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8! While we might talk about the news…we’re focused on sharing each person’s experience and personal journey! Join us as we have fun spreading the joy of Windows Phone to and with others using pics, tweets, videos, and other goodies too! Learn how to get the most from your Windows Phone from people just like you!

competition hunt winphan

Feb 23, 2014 |

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5 Tips to Improve User Efficiency

This post was first published on blog.dvlup.com

I have developed a few apps in my time, but nowhere near as many as I would like nor have ideas for. There is always more apps to build and my mind is never short of projects to do next. However, I endeavour to build apps that are useful, well tested, solves a worthwhile problem and I can be proud of. Part of that process is to make sure that the app is as efficient for the user as possible. In particular I keep the following five areas in mind when developing. If the users of your app can do what they need to more efficiently, they are much more likely to continue using your app and recommend it to others as well as giving it favourable reviews.

Feb 22, 2014 |

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Win a Nokia 625 and Build an Awesome Windows Phone App

[Update] The deadline for submission in the competition is over. The winners will be announced soon.

I love the Windows Phone eco-system and I truly believe it is the most awesomest place to be as a developer. And that is why I want to give something back to the community. I have a Nokia 625 to give away to one passionate and ambitious developer that wants to get into Windows Phone development. What I expect from you:

Keen and ambitious attitude. If you get selected I expect you put in the effort to design and develop your first Windows Phone app.
No prior published Windows Phone apps.
A great, original idea (describe below).

What you get from me:

Personal mentoring and help throughout the development of your app.
One new Nokia 625 (Australian edition).
Help to market your app.
Tips and pointers on building the best app possible.

The final day for entries is Sunday 9 March 2013. Disclaimer: I pick the winner at my complete discretion. It is my decision entirely. I will post the Nokia Lumia 625 with the cheapest and safest service for the winner’s destination (no on ever said Windows Phone development would make you a millionaire). Fill in the form and let me hear about your brilliant ideas (multiple submissions are welcome). [formidable id=3]

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