Wirelessly Obsessed

MS WPC 2011: Microsoft, Samsung Canada & You

July 6, 2011 Leave a comment

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.

Filed under Events Tagged with Microsoft, Samsung, Samsung Focus, Windows 7, Windows Phone 7

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 Security, SSL

Emma’s Back Porch Featuring Windows Phone 7 Brought To You By Silicon Halton

January 11, 2011 1 Comment

I have graciously been invited to speak at Silicon Halton’s 15th meetup tonight at 7pm located at Emma’s Back Porch. Those of you in the Halton region should know the place and those of you who don’t should know that this Halton landmark serves up the best wings in Burlington.

As mentioned, tonight’s event is being hosted by Silicon Halton which is a grass roots networking group dedicated to connecting and creating strong local relationships and business partnerships for hi tech entrepreneurs and leaders in Halton.

I will be presenting alongside my good friend Mark Arteaga on the topic of Windows Phone 7 from both an end user and an application development perspective. I will also be bringing down goodies to give away to attendees already holstering a Windows Phone 7 device and will be showcasing live demos of the WP7 OS.

So come on down, enjoy a few wings and a beverage, and get to experience Windows Phone 7 first hand.

Filed under Developer WorkShop, Development Tips, Events, Product Launch, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with Mark Arteaga, Silicon Halton, Windows Phone 7

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 Outlook, Windows Live, Windows Phone 7

The Windows Phone User Group Meeting – November 16th

November 10, 2010 Leave a comment

Have anything planned from 6PM till 9PM on November 16th? Well you do now…

The inaugural Windows Phone User Group meeting takes place on November 16th and is being hosted by my two fellow MVPs Darren Humphries and Mike Temporale. The magic will happen at the Microsoft campus located in Mississauga and will be a great source of information with regards to all things Windows Phone. Mobility specialists such as Mark Arteaga, Joey DeVilla and myself will be attendance to answer all your questions around developement and deployment. Live devices will be on hand as well for you to try out Microsoft’s latest mobile OS offering. Lastly, draws for prizing such as a, I don’t know, Windows Phone 7 device and other great prizes available to be won.

Attendance is free, there will be food and drinks to snack on and the first 100 attendees will recieve a free Windows Phone 7 t-shirt. So come on by, take Windows Phone 7 for a test drive and possibly walk away with your very own Windows Phone 7 device.

This article also appears on Mark Arteaga’s blog and on Mobile Jaw

Filed under Developer WorkShop, Development Tips, Events, Product Launch, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with Joey DeVilla, Mark Arteaga, Windows Phone 7

Windows Phone 7: Did You Get Yours?

November 10, 2010 Leave a comment

First off, a big thank you to all who came by my Windows Phone 7 launch event at the TELUS flag ship store located at the Eaton Centre. Congratulations to all those who walked away happy with their new Windows Phone 7 device, either the HTC 7 Surround or the LG Optimus 7, and their new XBOX 360.

For all those still searching for that specific Windows Phone 7 device, don’t fret. Windows Phone 7 devices are still available and additional phones are on their way. Here is an update as to where you can secure your choice device:

Samsung Focus	Currently Rogers has very limited quantities available for purchase online. In store availability will happen in the next few weeks.
HTC 7 Surround	TELUS has limited quantities available for purchase online and in store. More quantities will be available shortly.
LG Optimus 7	TELUS has limited quantities available for purchase online and in store. More quantities will be available shortly.
LG Optimus Quantum	Bell has limited quantities available for purchase online and in store. More quantities will be available shortly.

Filed under Product Launch, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with HTC 7 Surround, LG Optimus 7, LG Optimus Quantum, Rogers, Samsung Focus, TELUS, Windows Phone 7

Would You Like A Side Of XBOX360 With Your New Windows Phone 7 Device?

November 7, 2010 5 Comments

Well after countless hours of planning, public speaking, working late hours, and neglecting my blog, the big day is finally upon us.

Launch day for Windows Phone 7 happens this Monday November 8^thright across North America and I can’t be more excited. To watch the Windows Phone offering evolve as much as it has over the past 10 months, let alone the past 10 years, has been exhilarating and finally you too will have the chance to experience all that is Windows Phone 7.

Yours truly will be hosting a live radio remote alongside 104.5 CHUM FM at the flagship TELUS store located at the lower level of the Toronto Eaton Centre and that is not even the exciting part.

Microsoft would like to reward you for your choice of either the HTC 7 Surround or the LG Optimus 7 by giving you a FREE XBOX 360 console on launch day. So not only will you walk away with “A different kind of phone” but a gaming console to complement it. Did I tell you gamers can play certain XBOX LIVE games on Windows Phone 7 versus gamers on XBOX 360? Yeah, I thought that would grab your attention.

This offer is exclusively available at the flagship TELUS store at the Toronto Eaton Centre and I have been told that the XBOX 360 consoles for this offer are in limited numbers so be sure to arrive early. Further details regarding the offer will be available in store.

This Monday is going to be a Windows Phone 7 party and you are all invited. See you there Canada.

Filed under Events, Product Launch, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with 104.5 CHUM FM, 7 Surround, HTC, LG, Optimus 7, TELUS, Toronto Eaton Centre, Windows Phone 7, XBOX 360, XBOX Live

How To Set The Keyboard Input Scope For Windows Phone 7

October 14, 2010 Leave a comment

Below is an instruction set to create a better input model for your Windows Phone 7 app by invoking the TextBox control. Enabling this capability will make the typing experience easier for your potential customers by using input scopes where appropriate. It is a differentiator that can go a long way amidst similar Windows Phone 7 applications.

The on-screen keyboard can be used to input text on a Windows Phone, and it is deployed automatically when a TextBox control becomes active. Windows Phone has several context-specific on-screen keyboard layouts that you can use for application development including the keyboard types in the following table:

Keyboard Type	Layout
Default	Standard QWERTY layout
Text	Standard layout with ASCII-based emoticons
E-mail Address	Standard layout with .com and @ keys
Phone Number	Typical 12-key layout
Web Address	Standard layout with .com key and customized Enter key
Maps	Standard layout with a customized Enter key
Search	Semi-transparent layout with a Search and .com key
SMS Address	Standard layout with easy access to phone number layout

Here is how you would enhance that setting by assigning the keyboard input scope

To set the input scope

Open any project and on MainPage.xaml, drag a TextBox control from the Toolbox onto the designer. You can also create a TextBox control directly using the following XAML code. You may position or scale the control based on your preference.

<TextBox Height=”31″ HorizontalAlignment=”Left” Margin=”31,256,0,0″ Name=”textBox1″ Text=”TextBox” VerticalAlignment=”Top” Width=”423″ >

</TextBox>
In the XAML code, between the <TextBox></TextBox> tags, add the following code to set the input scope. For this example, the “Url” keyboard layout is selected and a .com key is exposed.

<TextBox.InputScope>
       <InputScope>
          <InputScopeName NameValue=”Url”/>
       </InputScope>
</TextBox.InputScope>

Filed under Development Tips, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with Application, Developer, keyboard, Windows Phone 7

Showcase Your Talent And Gain Knowledge At The Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Clinic: UPDATE

October 12, 2010 Leave a comment

Update: I will have a HTC 7 Surround, on loan from HTC, on site to allow you to test your application on production hardware. Also representitives from both TELUS and HTC will possibly pass by to attend the event during the day. If you are having trouble registering for the event email me directly. Please let me know the name & type of application as well as your contact information to register.

Remember, only those working on or willing to showcase their Windows Phone 7 application may attend. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Yesterday Microsoft and its partners announced the first wave of Windows Phone 7 devices and that they will be available November 8^th here in Canada. Events will also shortly be announced to give people a first look at actual devices which will be carried by TELUS, Bell and Rogers. These events will generate tremendous consumer excitement for Windows Phone 7 and mark the beginning of launch activity that will take place during the holiday shopping season.

Yesterday was also a big day for Windows Phone developers for a few reasons. By now I hope it’s clear that your apps and games are central to the value we’re offering end users with Windows Phone 7. I am also taking every opportunity to demonstrate how the applications you are generating extend the new Windows Phone 7 experience to both carriers and the end users.

To ensure success of the applications currently being developed, Joey DeVilla and I, alongside our Developer Evangelism Team, will be running a Windows Phone 7 Developer Clinic at our downtown location, 222 Bay St, Toronto, ON, from 9am until 5pm. To help with this endeavor, I have asked for the assistance of Canada’s reining Windows Phone 7 developer champion, Mark Arteaga, to provide his expertise and guidance to any developer attending the event. I have also secured live developer devices and actual production devices for you to test your applications on. This will allow you to debug on actual devices to ensure the experience provided is the one you expect.

Space is limited for event so be sure to register by sending an email to Samantha Wong, and she will confirm your spot at the event. I look forward to meeting you all and experiencing your innovation designed for a different kind of phone first hand.

Filed under Developer WorkShop, Windows Phone 7 Series Tagged with Developers, Windows Phone 7

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