First off, Happy New Years to all my readers and followers. May 2012 bring you increased connectivity and prosperity.

Now, what better way to kick off the new year then attending the “Grand Daddy” of all tech shows, CES 2012.  This will be my first year attending the Consumer Electronics show and with all the tweets and posts on numerous social media feeds it surely will not disappoint.  As an added bonus, I have been appointed as Samsung Canada’s blogger at CES 2012 tweeting and blogging live from numerous keynotes and the grand hall.  This week has been a whirlwind of preparation with regards to this as you can imagine.  Thankfully Samsung has outfitted me with the latest gear to keep me connected. With a 9 Series notebook, HD Camcorder, Galaxy S II LTE smartphone and a hope and a prayer that AT&T’s network will be able to handle the load of the approximately 160,000 attendees, I should be good to go.

Now for my ask of you my faithful followers.

I will be tweeting on behalf of @SamsungCanada as well as posting videocasts on Youtube and Facebook.  I’d love your input on what, pertaining to Samsung, you’d like to see or read with regards to activity at CES 2012.  Follow us on twitter and / or join the conversation on Facebook and let your voice be heard.

I’ll be more than happy to oblige.

I have been honored again to be given the chance to present at Techdays.ca for the third time.  Every year I have covered Windows Phone from the IT Pro point of view and this year’s presentation, The Consumerization of IT: Windows Phone in the Workplace, takes Microsoft’s mobile offering to the next level of secure and manageable deployment.  A great deal of new functionality has now been made available with the launch of the “Mango” upgrade for Windows Phone and has application developers buzzing.  The opportunities to develop new and innovative solutions from within the Windows Phone OS since the Mango update has increased interest amidst the developer community in the platform which is evident by the standing room only Windows Phone developer sessions at Techdays.

With that being said, interest has also increased within the IT community around deploying Windows Phone within enterprise after a chain of events surrounding the current dominating mobile offering in business faltered severely and made IT departments wary of its consistency to deliver voice and data connectivity.  Couple that with the emergence of the rapidly growing trend of Consumerization of IT and now I too have a standing room only session on my hands with IT teams interested in learning how to securely deploy and manage Windows Phone within their respected organizations.

I invite those attending Techdays.ca to attend my session as I perform a live aggregation of Windows Phone and Office 365 showcasing the power of manageability and security which can be enabled from Microsoft Exchange itself.  To add, here is a listing of Windows Phone deployment and security documentation provided by Microsoft which detail and address deployment and security concerns:

Windows Phone 7 Deployment Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=8842

Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” Deployment Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27743

I look forward to seeing you all there and continuing on the conversation as to how Windows Phone could enhance your organization’s mobile offering.

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.

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.

To create and update live tiles essentially you will need to work with the ShellTile and StandardTileData classes.

You can get the instance of current tile for your application as provided in the example below:

ShellTile currentTiles = ShellTile.ActiveTiles.First();

You can set the data for you tile as demonstrated below.

var tilesUpdateData = new StandardTileData
         {
                 Title = “Live Tiles “,
                 Count = 10,
                 BackTitle = “Back Title”
         };

StandardTileDataclass has following properties. You can set value of these properties to set the data of live tiles.

1. public Uri BackBackgroundImage
2. public string BackContent
3. public Uri BackgroundImage
4. public string BackTitle
5. public int? Count

Updating a Live Tile

The code snippet below will update a live tile with a title and a numeric count.

using System.Linq;
using Microsoft.Phone.Controls;
using Microsoft.Phone.Shell;
using WindowsPhoneApplication3;

namespace liveTiles
{
    public partial class MainPage : PhoneApplicationPage
{
    // Constructor
        public MainPage()
        {
          InitializeComponent();
          UpdateLiveTiles();
        }      
          private void UpdateLiveTiles()
        {
            ShellTile currentTiles = ShellTile.ActiveTiles.First();
            vartiles UpdatedData = new StandardTileData
            {
                Title =“Live Tiles “,
                Count = 10,
                BackTitle = “Back Title” 
            };
            currentTiles.Update(tilesUpdatedData); 
        }       
    }
}

The Live Tile will now get updated as shown in the example below.

Creating a Live Tile

The below code snippet will create a new live tile. Creation of live tile is exactly same as updating of live tile but to call Create function.

        private void CreateLiveTile()
        {
            var newTile = new StandardTileData()
            {
                Title = “Blogs Update”,
                BackgroundImage = new Uri(“background.png”, UriKind.Relative),
                Count = 42,
            };
            var uri = “/LiveTileUserControl.xaml?state= Live Tile”;
            ShellTile.Create(new Uri(uri, UriKind.Relative), newTile);
        }

An important point to note in the above code snippet is the uri. On clicking on the created live tile the user will navigate to the given XAML.

Updating The Created Live Tile

First step is to fetch the tile with a query string to allow the update to occur as show in the following example.

        private void UpdatingCreatedTile()
        {
            var uri = new Uri(“/LiveTileUserControl.xaml?state= Live Tile”, UriKind.Relative);
            ShellTile  tileToUpdate = ShellTile.ActiveTiles.Where(t => t.NavigationUri == uri).FirstOrDefault();
            var tilesUpdatedData = new StandardTileData
            {
                Title =“Created Tiles Updated “,
                Count = 45,
                BackTitle = “Back Title”

            };

            tileToUpdate.Update(tilesUpdatedData);
        }

This will then result in the tile getting updated as show below.

To begin, design a page with a CheckBox inside it.  This will enable the event to show or hide the System Tray. 

Here is the XAML code for your reference:

<Grid x:Name="ContentPanel" Grid.Row="1" Margin="12,0,12,0" VerticalAlignment="Top">
<CheckBox Content="Show System Tray" Checked="ShowSystemTray" Unchecked="HideSystemTray"/> </Grid>

Here is the code implementation:

private void ShowSystemTray(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
 SystemTray.IsVisible = true;
}
private void HideSystemTray(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
 SystemTray.IsVisible = false;
}

When the “Show System Tray” is checked, you will see the System Tray bar at the top of the screen as shown in the first figure below:

Uncheck the “Show System Tray”. This will hide the System Tray bar from the screen.

As mentioned, this can be used to capitalize on screen real estate or can be used in situations were system notification is required.

Twice a year Microsoft (through a third-party) conducts a survey to gauge how satisfied IT Pros are with Microsoft.  The survey is called “The Global Relationship Study”.  The email is sent by “Microsoft Feedback” with the subject line: “Help Microsoft Focus on Customers and Partners”.

The results from the survey enable Microsoft to focus on the content they deliver and the way it is delivered.  It’s critically important to have people to fill out the survey and even more important to land a message of satisfaction.  The key drivers and messaging associated with them are as follows:

1)    Help and Support from Microsoft

Have you ever wondered where to go to get help with your common, everyday IT challenges? 

Based on feedback and constructive criticism, Microsoft Canada has identified key areas where they can improve and help you by providing better resources to answer your questions, solve your real world problems and help you achieve your business goals.  Maybe it’s just ensuring you know you have a voice – or just making your life a little easier at the end of the day – whatever it takes, Microsoft is listening.

What if I told you there were some great Microsoft Resources available for support that you could use?  

Help and Resources

This is by no means exhaustive, but it should give you a great start when you need to tackle your next IT challenge.

• Microsoft Product Solution Center – Get product support information for the majority of Microsoft products.
• Microsoft Answers– Ask questions and get answers from real people, or search for answers others have received.
• Microsoft Fix it Solution Center– Find automated solutions for your issues.
• @MicrosoftHelps– Follow Microsoft Customer Service and Support on Twitter. Experienced customer service agents respond to your questions in real-time tweets.
• Enterprise Business Center – Access resources for enterprise customers.
• Microsoft Small Business Center – Find resources for small and medium-sized businesses

Other Resources You May Find Useful 

• Microsoft Virtual Academy  - For Free Training To Help Improve Your IT Skill Set.
• TechNet Evaluation Center  - Try some of the latest Microsoft products like Office 365, Windows Intune or System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 for free, before you buy.
• TechNet Newsletter - Sign Up To Receive The Latest IT News and Developments, Product Releases, Expert Insights and Support Services with Microsoft’s complimentary biweekly newsletter for industry professionals.

2)    Security – How to Help Keep Your PC Protected

Have you ever wondered how you can help keep your PC protected? 

Whether it’s at work or at home, I’ve been told that it can be hard to make sense of what’s important, which updates should be installed and how best to protect your PC. Microsoft has a resource center for their Monthly updates listed below – it’s something you should check out every second Tuesday of the month. If you prefer to listen to a podcast – they’ve created one that’s easy to listen to and not too technical called Security Bulletins for the Regular IT Guy.

Security Resources

• Microsoft Security Essentials – Free Anti-Malware software from Microsoft, great for Small Businesses and Home PCs alike.
• Security Bulletins by the Regular IT Guy – A monthly podcast to help simplify details about the monthly Security patch releases.
• Security TechCenter – Find top tasks, get the latest news, find a wiki article or download a featured tool.
• Windows Update Services – Businesses of all sizes can help manage and control the rollout of updates in their organizations.

 Other Resources You May Find Useful

• Springboard Series - Your destination for technical resources, free tools and expert guidance to ease the deployment and management of your Windows-based client infrastructure.
• AlignIT Manager Tech Talk Series  - A monthly streamed video series with a range of topics for both infrastructure and development managers. Ask questions and participate real-time or watch the on-demand recording.
• Microsoft Virtual Academy  - For Free Training To Help Improve Your IT Skill Set.
• TechNet Evaluation Center  - Try some of the latest Microsoft products like Office 365, Windows Intune or System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 for free, before you buy.

3)    Licensing Simplified – at Home and at Work

Have you ever wondered if there’s an easier way to understand licensing, for both home and business use?

Whether you need to buy one license from a traditional retail store or explore options for a more flexible volume licensing program, it can be confusing and sometimes downright intimidating to figure out what you need.  After doing a little digging – I’ve highlighted some resources you can use to help figure out exactly what you need when you talk with your software reseller.

Licensing Resources

• Licensing FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Product Licensing
• The SMB How to Buy Portal:  receive clear purchasing and licensing information that is easy to understand in order to help facilitate quick decision making.
• Microsoft License Advisor (MLA): Use MLA to research Microsoft Volume Licensing products, programs and pricing.   
• Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) – Already have a volume License? Use the VLSC to get you easy access to all your licensing information in one location.
• Windows 7 Comparison: Compare versions of Windows and find out which one is right for you
• Office 2010 Comparison: Find out which Office suite is right for you.

 Other Resources You May Find Useful

• TechNet Cloud Hub – Get the latest news and find great resources to help you jump into the Cloud.
• TechNet Evaluation Center - Try some of the latest Microsoft products like Office 365, Windows Intune or System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 for free, before you buy.
• Microsoft Virtual Academy  - For free training to help improve your IT skill set.

4)    Free Online Training and Resources from Microsoft

Have you ever wondered how you can help build your IT skill set?

Microsoft has a number of great resources to help you in areas of professional development and access to software.  The Microsoft Virtual Academy contains some fantastic FREE online training on hot topics for IT Professionals.  Once you’ve stopped by and tried out a course or two — head on over to the Microsoft Eval Center to download copies of their server products to try out in your lab environment.  And while you’re at it, check out this free Microsoft Office 365 ebook by Katherine Murray, it shows you how you can use cloud computing to help get more done and help improve ease of collaboration.

What is refreshing about this past survey is that Microsoft Canada has actually taken our opinions into account.  Providing the resources and support required for my business is key. Microsoft Canada, now adhering to my grips about support, now solidifies my partnership with them and allows my business to grow enabled through their services.

This by no means is a complete list and I do implore you to add to my list by entering further resources in the comment section below.

What a summer…

Hot off the heels of attending Microsoft’s grand daddy of events, MS World Partner Conference, I find my self sitting in a lounge at Toronto Pearson en route to Las Vegas to attend VMWorld 2011.

I’m excited to attend as this is my first non-Microsoft conference in a long time (the last being CTIA in New Orleans just before Katrina hit) and I’m interested to learn more on another view of “Cloud Computing”.  What intrigues me further are the announcements of VMWare’s Mobile Virtulization Platform (or MVP for short) being announced this week.  This provides organizations the ability to capitalize on the consumerization of IT trend that is upon us by virtualizing a company’s instance on an end user’s device (smartphone and/or tablet) and governing it without affecting the end user’s personal content.

As an added bonus, The Killers will be preforming at the VMWorld Gala and seems to be the hot ticket in Las Vegas this week.

I will be attending all the mobile sessions and Samsung will also have a booth in the solution’s area of the conference.  I am most looking forward to connecting to those passionate about virtualization via VMWare’s offering and learning more through osmosis.  Be sure to follow me on Twitter and DM me if you are interested to chat.

Looking forward to our discussion.

Heads up all you Canucks attending this years Microsoft World Partner Conference in sunny Los Angeles.  Samsung Canada’s got a treat better than a tasty beaver tail for you to sink your teeth into.  Visit the @WPCCanada lounge located at the back-left of the Solution Innovation Centre, and show us how Canadian you are.  Be creative and you could walk away with 1 of 8 Samsung Windows Phone 7 Focus devices, a Samsung bluetooth headset and other great prizes.  Bring a group with you to the lounge and sing “O Canada”, hit a verse from “Let Your Backbone Slide“, heck drink a bottle of Canadian Maple Syrup, just be creative.

Contest ends Tuesday at 5pm and winners will be announced at the lounge on Wednesday.

Come on Canadians, lets show the world some Canadian pride!

Microsoft’s World Partner Conference, the “SuperBowl” of Microsoft conferences, is happening in less than 4 days and @SamsungCanada and I could not be happier to be sponsoring the Canada lounge at this year’s event.

Set aside hearing Richard Branson and other keynotes (yes Ballmer is speaking too), watching Maestro Fresh Wes and the Arkells perform and learning what future offerings Microsoft has in store for FY12, what I’m really looking forward to is connecting with you. 

As of late, the team at Samsung Canada and I have been working hard to complete Samsung’s solution offering.  Samsung already produces great hardware and has recently partnered with the likes of Microsoft and others to ensure best of breed software solutions to run better on our hardware.  What’s missing is your creativity to take our partnered solutions to the next level.  That’s where you come in.

Samsung Canada is looking to collaborate with you, the SI / ISV community, to extend the reach of our offering.  Gain the ability to take advantage of the relationships Samsung has established to provide a more robust offering to your clientele. Secure access to Samsung’s knowledgeable team to gain insight on what partnerships and offerings could “up your game”.  It all starts at WPC 2011.

I will be at WPC all week hanging out with the @WPCCananda team at the Canadian Lounge.  Samsung laptops, tablets and smartphones will be on hand for you to try and there will be prizes to be won, but more details on that later.

 Feel free to DM me @SamsungConnect or @WirelessLife to continue the conversation.

Looking forward to chatting with you there.