Mango Motion API Disappointment
Not happy with the Mango Motion API..
One of the big new features coming to developers with Windows Phone is the combined Mango Motion API.
In previous Windows Phone versions, and for those handsets that supported them, developers would have to make use of the raw sensor data from the devices compass, gyroscope and accelerometer to harness the power of movement in their applications or games.
With the new Mango Motion API, the complex math needed to combine the data from these sensors is done for you and easy-to-use values for the devices attitude and motion can be used.
New Windows Phone SDK Tool Available
As a developer, I've gambled on the new Nokia, Microsoft mash-up bringing audience numbers to Windows phone that alone, WP7 has not been able to accomplish.
I still believe that Nokia fans, aware of Nokia's build quality will follow Nokia to Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) and be as impressed as I have been.
When compared to Symbian for instance, well there is no comparison. Windows phone Mango beats it hands down. It's faster, smoother, more intuitive...you name it, Mango has Symbian beat.
So, as a developer, I need a way of creating Mango apps right?
WP7 Mango Speech recognition
The WP7 Mango speech recognition feature is proudly introduced as one of the many innovations that Microsoft hope will set it apart from the competition.
As you'll see in the video posted by PocketNow, there is still some room for improvements but the WP7 Mango speech recognition's seemless integration with current features and those we all use everyday such as text and IM set it apart from many already on the market.
Clever advertising or cheap trickery?
Denver Water
When it comes to advertising, is there a difference between clever advertising and cheap trickery or is it only a matter of personal taste? If there is a difference how do we know which is which?
If we take the advert in the image on the right for instance, I like it and think it's clever advertising but someone else may not share the same view.
What's all this about I hear you say. Well, a tweet by @Nokia today got me thinking.
A Windows Phone 7 device – My kingdom for…
What to do, what to do.
The windows phone emulator is great for basic app development but you can't test things like camera apps. Why, well there isn't a camera. The Windows phone emulator is just a bit too "guessy" for me.
Microsofts' answer to this is to let certain developers have access to the Mango Beta software but it's only one answer to the question,
"I'm an avid Windows phone fan and have many old Windows phone devices - what can you do to help me develop for the new Nokia / Microsoft mash up?"
Is there a need for design?
Even as a novice developer I'm familiar with the importance of design. If an application is poorly designed, the function, while it maybe technically in place will become defunct. If a user can't easily find the function then it may as well not exist.
The design of a mobile phone applications bring about different challenges to those faced when I was creating applications for engineers in order to automate arduous and time-consuming tasks. There is certainly a need to understand the new audience and the new media on which the applications will be used.