TechDays – Because There Always Something New To Learn

October 20, 2011 Leave a comment

TechDays is here again and starts next week in Toronto.  As in past years (2009, 2010) I’ll will be presenting on Windows Phone deployment.  This year’s topic “Consumerization of IT: Windows-Based Devices in the Workplace” covers the aspects of the end users bringing Windows Phone and other devices into the workplace.  In this session, we will review the aspects of deployment & security across Exchange, SharePoint & the cloud.  I will also showcase how Windows Phone provides the best experience to accomplish this amidst a flurry of device and OS offerings.

This year TechDays will be taking place in the following cities so make sure to register

  1. Toronto – October 25-26
  2. Vancouver – November 15-16
  3. Montreal – November 29-30

As an added bonus, when you register for TechDays 2011, be sure to use promo code TDSPKR11CAN to get almost 50% off the conference admission.

Filed under Deployment, Events, Tips & Tricks, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with , ,

A Simple Way To Get To Get Your WP7 App Rated

October 12, 2011 2 Comments

One of the best ways to get your application development skills noticed is through self promotion.  One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by having users who download your application rate your work.  This capability is available in Windows Phone 7′s marketplace yet it requires end users to discover the “tap and hold the application icon” sequence in order to rate your application.  What if you were able to simplfy the way your customers could rate your application?

Launchers available within Windows Phone 7′s OS allow for code to take your user to the marketplace page to rate your application.  An example of this can be found below.

MarketplaceReviewTask task = new MarketplaceReviewTask();
task.Show();

Adding these two lines of code could be an effective way to increase your number of rating and/or your rating score in general.  Remember, application discovery can be greatly enhanced through Marketplace promotion.  Simplifying a way for end users to rate your application through Marketplace will secure your application being promoted.

Another great tool for feedback is the ability for developers to be in contact with their customers to gain insight on how the applciation could be improved.  This too can be simply accomplished by adding the code below to your application.

EmailComposeTask task = new EmailComposeTask();
task.Subject = "Application Feedback";
task.Show();
 
 

Filed under Development Tips, Tips & Tricks, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with , , , ,

Windows Phone 7 Security Model Explained

January 26, 2011 1 Comment

Recently, interest around Windows Phone 7 has started to pick up and as of late many questions have been sent to me around the security model implemented in Windows Phone 7.  This blog post will provide insight on how security is enabled and implemented within the Windows Phone model and provide additional links to security guides provided by Micosoft.

The security model outlines four different chambers of which each have strictly enforced and defined boundaries and privileges.  As an example, an application downloaded and installed from the Marketplace Hub has access to the least privileged chamber based on what the app needs.  When applications run, they are isolated from each other alongside the app data so that it cannot be access from other apps providing a superior experience around app security.

Application developers use Microsoft .NET managed language development technologies and tools to ensure data communications of said apps are encrypted via Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) in accordance with specified standard practices.  Once an app is developed, it is submitted to Microsoft to undergo certification tests to ensure the app falls in compliance.  After the application is certified it is code-signed and can only be sold and installed through the Windows Phone Marketplace Hub.  Even the included Internet Explorer browser is unable to install applications to prevent the potential of malware to be installed.

Lastly, although technically not part of the security model, the file system cannot be accessed via a tethered PC and the phone does not support removable memory storage cards.  Even though the Samsung Focus can accept a “Windows Phone 7” approved MicroSD cards, this upgrade is a onetime only deal which incorporates the card into the phone’s file system and cannot be read or used by any other device.

Microsoft has created an IT Professionals guide which further documents the Windows Phone 7 Security model which can be found here.  Additional documents included in the pack, ranging from deployment to management, will also be of interest to IT Professionals considering deploying Windows Phone 7 in their respected organizations.

Filed under Security, Tips & Tricks Tagged with ,

How to Sync Your Locally Stored Outlook Contacts & Calendar With Windows Phone 7

November 21, 2010 Leave a comment

So you’ve just purchased you shiny new Windows Phone 7 device, charged it for the recommended amount of time without playing with your new toy (yeah right) and now you are ready to sync your Outlook calendar and contacts to your device.  Knowing that you cannot tether your Windows Phone 7 device to transfer data (aside from using your PC’s Zune client to transfer music, pictures and photos) and that you do not have an Exchange server to sync with would normally send you into a panic… or at least back to the wireless telco store of choice to politely air your grievings (again yeah right) with regards to issue.  However, you’re much savvier then that as you remind yourself you’ve got a “Different Kind of Phone”.

Question: if all your pertinent information is localized on one PC, how does one gain access to it when said PC is lost, stolen, damaged or even simply off?  

Allow me to introduce the Microsoft Office Outlook Hotmail Connector.
 
Outlook Hotmail Connector provides a solution for managing your Windows Live Hotmail e-mail, calendar, and contacts from within Outlook 2003, and 2010. Once enabled, it syncs your locally stored contacts & calendar automatically with your free Windows Live account.  This then allows you to access your day to day activities and/or “what’s his name’s number” even if their PC is off from virtually anywhere, including on your new Windows Phone 7 device.  To add, with the inclusion of the free 25GB SkyDrive, available for free through Windows Live, it gives SOHO / SMB organizations further ability to collaborate calendars, contacts, notes and documents inside of the cloud.

Best of all, you remember that this service is free and joyfully begin downloading the Outlook Hotmail Connector to harness the power of the cloud.  After installing and syncing your information the cloud, you enter your first calendar entry on your phone to be synced back with Outlook. “Visit my wireless rep to thank him for her suggestion of picking up a Windows Phone 7 device and to squeeze her for that free car adapter”.  Oh you savvy shopper you….

Windows Phone 7, a different kind of phone.

Filed under Tips & Tricks, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with , ,

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