Windows 8 app development for beginners

Windows 8 App Development For Beginners@DaveVoyles Sr. Tech Evangelist | Microsoft

Windows 8 Programming

Two Microsoft Platforms• Windows 8 • Windows Phone 8

Universal Apps

“Microsoft's new universal Windows apps run everywhere, from phones to the Xbox One” [in the future]

Universal Apps

Requirements• Developer account to publish to the stores• Windows 8 / 8.1 (Free trial)

• Options for Mac users:• Virtual Box :

http://blogs.technet.com/b/chrisavis/archive/2013/01/27/installing-windows-8-into-oracle-virtualbox-running-on-mac-os-x.aspx

• Parallels : http://blogs.technet.com/b/haroldwong/archive/2013/02/05/configuring-a-mac-for-windows-8-and-windows-phone-development-with-parallels-8-installing-and-configuring-parallels.aspx

• Visual Studio• Visual Studio Express (free)• Win Phone 8 SDK

Hardware

Windows Hardware:• Graphics

• DirectX9.1 -> DirectX 11• Resolutions

• 1024x768 minimum resolution • Input

• Keyboard, Mouse, Touch, Controllers • Sensors

• Light, Accelerometer, Gyro, Compass

GraphicsDirectX9.1 -> DirectX 11

Resolutions1024x768 minimum resolution InputKeyboard, Mouse, Touch, Gamepads SensorsLight, Accelerometer, Gyro, Compass

GraphicsDirectX9.3

Resolutions800x400, 1280×720, 1280x768, 1920x1080  Memory512mb, 1gb, 2gb RAM SensorsLight, Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity

Before You Build

Community focused engineers, tasked with assisting you!

Locate your local Evangelisthttp://tech-advisors.msdn.microsoft.com/

BizSpark, Promotions, and InformationEvangelists serve as your resource between the community and Microsoft. They host hackathons, game jams, and user groups tomake your life easier.

Software and Hardware for testingEvangelists can often deliver software and hardware for you to test your latest applications on

Talk with your local Evangelist

www.buildforwindows.com

https://www.dvlup.com/

BizSpark• Software • 3 years free software/Development Tools• Windows Azure Credits, $150 / month

• Support• Professional technical and product support• Unique offers from Network Partners

• Visibility• Profile, Offers and Events • Connection to the ecosystem• Opportunities for showcase, visibility (events, social

media)

Is your startup:• Developing Software?• Privately held?• Less than 5 years old?• Making less than US $1M in annual revenue?

http://bit.ly/1dSq8l7

Considerations when writing a Win8 app

Considerations• Navigation • App / Nav Bars• Share Charms integration• Setting Charms integration• Live Tiles & Notifications (toasts)• Splash Screen

Navigation

Navigation Bar

Share Charms

Settings Charms

Live Tiles

Notifications (Toasts)

Live Tiles & Notifications

Splash ScreenWhat the user sees when your app is loading.

Before Publishing

App Store Logo maker

Web App Template Tool

Quickly and easily create logos for your Win 8 and Win Phone applications

App Studio

Drop and drop programming for Win 8.1 & Win Phone 8.1 apps

Generates your source codeDrag-and-drop your content onto the scene, or use the WYSIWYG editor to write your own content

Easy ProductionNo programming necessary. Your completed app is e-mailed to you; just download the package and upload it to the store!

App Studio

Web App Template

Easily wrap your website and turn it into an application

Live Tiles & Push NotificationsYou can configure any RSS feed to update live tiles for your app or easily setup your website to push notifications and update live tiles even when the app isn't running.

ShareYou can integrate the share charm so your users can share content just like they would on any other Windows app

SearchYou can search WAT-based apps the same way you would in any Windows app - via the search charm. 

Web App Template

Writing Native Apps (C# / C++)

Writing HTML5 apps

Publishing

Considerations• App Name

Can reserve up to 1 year in advance• App Description

Selling points for your title• Age ratings

Is it appropriate for everyone?• Choose your markets

Understand localization• Policies

Which features will you require?ie – Contacts, Calendar, Camera

• Certification requirements• Use the Windows App Certificati

on Kit

• Tests your app before you submit!

After Publishing

Community focused engineers, tasked with assisting you!

Locate your local Evangelisthttp://tech-advisors.msdn.microsoft.com/

BizSpark, Promotions, and InformationEvangelists serve as your resource between the community and Microsoft. They can help market your projects, and may have new promotions for you to enter.

Talk with your local Evangelist (Repeat)

New York http://aka.ms/BAMNewYork

Boston http://aka.ms/BAMBostonRochester http://aka.ms/

BAMRochesterAtlanta http://aka.ms/BAMAtlantaTampa http://aka.ms/BAMTampaFt. Lauderdale http://aka.ms/BAMFtLaudPhiladelphia http://aka.ms/BAMPhillyRaleigh http://aka.ms/BAMRaleighWashington DC http://aka.ms/BAMWashDC

www.buildforwindows.comCreate banners and images for freeTell your story, and have Microsoft market it with you

Resources

ResourcesWindows 8 apps for absolute beginners

Windows Phone 8 development for absolute beginners

MVA - Intro to mobile app development

MVA - Visual Studio training

Web App Template – Dave Voyles

App Studio