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Hey all,
a very short time ago - at least compared to most others here - I've have started playing with 'additional interfaces'. The Cube, PointUI, S2U2, HTC Album, additional helpers like FTouchFlo, etc.
These are all nice things, that goes without saying, and props to the devs. We got some really good software devs here, software hackers, tweaks, graphics guys, just good thinkers, etc.
Now what is the problem, you might ask. The problem is, it's all so very disconnected. Yes, you combine them all and make nice things, but setting it up isn't always easy (though some cooks do a great job of it), configuring it all to work nicely together is tiresome, the interfaces are not consistent with eachother, etc. We're all messing and mucking about as one man shows (or few men shows).
Now just think if we all put our efforts together, I think we could make the future ourselves.
Let's take gesturing for instance. Instead of how it works now, a general gesturing library could be made, which first off, provides more gestures, diagonals (instead of just horizontal/vertical), curves (like rotating in HTC Home), circles, etc. And now instead of just using these for general commands like now (keep that for unsupported apps), make this something each app or screen can configure/assign themselves. No more conflicts between different 'touch apps', and also very important, the gestures are the same, unlike the somewhat different gestures that are now used for the different apps.
Another thing is the interfaces. A consistent look (to the already consistant feel from above) would make the whole experience better. A general interface library could be made providing all the code for the transitions/animations, and interface parts like buttons. Everything graphical goes here, so we can all use it. Skinning everything would then also be a breeze.
With these two basic parts we could already go a long way, but the ultimate goal would be taking all the good of all projects, improve on those, and leave out the bad. For example, the cube is nice, but it's awfully limited. There could be a lot more in it. There's nothing special about HTC Album, it's just 'nicely done'.
I hope you can all imagine a bit what I mean with all the above (I try not to go into too much detail). We would all have to work together on this, but if we did, I'm quite sure we could build something that could completely replace the WM shell and would leave the iPhone as well as WM7 (if it ever comes) biting the dust. In the end, everybody who'd work on it may even get payed if we license it to a provider. I truely believe that the whole would be a lot bigger than the parts are now.
I'd expand more on 'my' vision (I'm sure other people have it as well), but it's not much use at this stage yet.
The furure is now, the future is XDA!
yess!! amen!! <3
anyway, why don't we all make open source apps? i mean i think it would be cool to make everyone work on one amazing thing..
It's an exciting notion for sure. I definitely have 100x more faith in the people here to come up with something worthwhile than I do in Microsoft, that's for sure.
That's the problem with the new applications: consistency.
personally I'd love to see pointUI release an API for its interface library. I think they have one of the most responsive and usable touchUIs. I posted this on their forum but didn't get a response.
I think this is a good idea as we have so many different gesturing projects reinventing the wheel. With a unified starting point, it could help new projects get off the ground faster.
Biggest problem: Not everybody is willing to share source codes.
Does anybody knows Xbox Media Center (XBMC) for the Xbox 1? Something like this for PPC would be the breakthrough imho..
Yes i totally agree. Having libraries that other developers can use is a great idea, or sharing code would be good. I made a post few days back about sharing the libraries but i didn't get any reply. I think i didn't make my point as clear as you
I am currently developing some apps (fringer friendly), but i am having lots of touble researching, developing POC, etc to make gestures, transitions and animations etc, which is really time consuming and takes more time from concentrating on the core functionalities of the applications.
So yes developing reusable libraries is definitly a great step that this forum can take.
Might i add, why dont we start a developers group here limited on devs who want to contribute with their code, idea to build these libraries? Where we can discuss the design and architecture of the libraries, export functions etc, needed controls etc.
We might also come up with great framwork that devs can use and sell it (as u mentioned). OpenNetCF did that, they created a large number of controls, .Net wrappers for Win32 APIs, etc, it started out as an opensource project, but then they started selling these their framework.
Hope other developers here become enthusiastic about this idea as we are
TacoLoco said:
Does anybody knows Xbox Media Center (XBMC) for the Xbox 1? Something like this for PPC would be the breakthrough imho..
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I started working on an similar application sometime back but dropped it cause i didn't have much time and development resources (especially cool graphical effects) to do it. Actually it was more of the MS Media Center clone.
Well this is a great place to start... we can group together and start working on an application like that....
mrabie said:
Yes i totally agree. Having libraries that other developers can use is a great idea, or sharing code would be good. I made a post few days back about sharing the libraries but i didn't get any reply. I think i didn't make my point as clear as you
I am currently developing some apps (fringer friendly), but i am having lots of touble researching, developing POC, etc to make gestures, transitions and animations etc, which is really time consuming and takes more time from concentrating on the core functionalities of the applications.
So yes developing reusable libraries is definitly a great step that this forum can take.
Might i add, why dont we start a developers group here limited on devs who want to contribute with their code, idea to build these libraries? Where we can discuss the design and architecture of the libraries, export functions etc, needed controls etc.
We might also come up with great framwork that devs can use and sell it (as u mentioned). OpenNetCF did that, they created a large number of controls, .Net wrappers for Win32 APIs, etc, it started out as an opensource project, but then they started selling these their framework.
Hope other developers here become enthusiastic about this idea as we are
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You are saying pretty much what I mean. Though the gesture thing wouldn't really be like a library, more like a service with an interface.
Anyway, setting up a dev group like this would IMHO be great (and I was thinking this myself) - we do need a larger group though. After all, if we don't want to, we don't have to share the source code, we can keep it in the group, or use a 'read-only' licence, or LGPL or something (though I'm personally not too fond of the GPL license).
I am convinced, that given enough time, I could do all of this myself. I am also convinced, that many other coders here could. But why should we?
WOW
well im no programmer or developer,just a guy with a titan, but I think you guys are talking about the perfect ui. sort of a modular system where the base ui has all the key functions and you could just plugin the core features of your choice without the need of base code for things like scrolling and gesture,etc... this makes me wonder why no ones done this yet. maybe I can learn abuot developing so I can help. incredible ui idea. thanx
I'm a designer and i'm in for this project!
Let's beat the crap out of the iphone and wm7!
Let us use the good parts from that interfaces and make it better, slicker, more beautifull!
gr. bram
Chainfire
i think there are more people getting interested in the idea... hope that more devs, designers gets interested too
Totally agree, maybe we should start getting the developers/designers (thanks bram_smulders!)/cookers and so on in this project...we could list apps, that are developed in and through this community and maybe - with a little moderation - the developers could agree on some standarts...i think that would be first step...
I'd be willing to help as well, I haven't done too much on the PPC. I've messed a little with the minshell and mintask examples in the wince6 sdk; they compile and run but don't function as expected btw.
help needed ?
Hi all, chainfire as said what i was thinking about thoses different and very nice UIs.
I'm not a developper, just a system IT, if i can help to beta-test the products of your project on my trinity..I'll do it w/ best feedback.
Hi,
I'm a french VB.net developper (even on WM, of course) and I can help that way. if u want !
let me know ( cyril [at] rebreyend {dot} com )
Input
I wouldn't mind working towards the goals outlined for a project like this. I'm especially fond of a gesture library of sorts, as well as a fully functional kinetic scrolling lib.
You can always PM if anything gets started .
I think also that instead of starting from scratch and make another PointUI Home we can try to expand an existing project... Maybe PointUI could have wrote a simili-SDK ? (or someone else ?)
I'll try to contact them, and come back here to tell how far i've been trashed
Anyone have an idea of who has already written something open source ?
P.S: Sorry for my english.
Guys and gals,
This year’s Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine Best Software Awards ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/ ) is getting near. I, being the Nominations Manager for the Awards, would like to invite you ALL to participate in it, regardless of whether you’re a developer or “just” a user of them.
If you’re a developer, it’d be REALLY great if you could enter the apps you’ve written in the Smartphone & PPCMag Encyclopedia ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_enc/cat.asp?cat=2&name=Software ; you can add new entries there too). It’s free and, then, in addition to your having your app listed in the list, it’ll be far easier for me to nominate it for the Awards if I deem it worthy enough. In the last two years, I spent DAYS of chasing down developers of top (freeware) titles like Qmail and Pocket GBA in order to being able to nominate them. I would prefer NOT having to waste so much time at contacting developers this year and asking them to enter their titles in the Encyclopedia – I have better and more productive things to do.
Being listed in the Encyclopedia, your stuff will also get far more exposure outside XDA-Devs and other “geek” sites as well.
Just like with last year, don’t think a free app can’t compete with commercial stuff out there. For example, VITO CopyPaste, Opera Mini, fring, Emu42, Google Maps Mobile, Orb, Qmail, My Mobiler, Mobipocket Reader, PHM Plus!, FuseSP etc. were all finalists, GB-SOFT Tweak, CastCE, Emu48, ScummVM, LogMeIn (Free), most of masterall’s emulators etc. were winners. Top-notch freeware titles like Dotfred’s PIM Backup or TaskMgr or Vijay555’s VJFullscreenTSC were also nominated (albeit didn’t win / become a finalist because of the very strong competition in the same category).
If you’re “just” a user of these apps, you’re also VERY strongly asked to nominate your favorites, should they not already be nominated. As a rule of thumb, all of the last year’s nominated titles are automatically re-nominated, unless there’re radical changes – for example, new titles – in the given category necessitating the un-nomination of the (comparatively) weakest titles OR the given title hasn’t been discontinued in the meantime. You can see the list of these apps – that is, the 2007 nominees / finalists / winners – at http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/category_all_2007_newquery.asp .
I don’t want to leave any decent, new utility I may have overlooked not nominated. With the current rate new apps and tools are released here at XDA-Devs, I just can’t keep up with all the new versions / releases, no matter how hard I try. (And I have a LOT of other things to do – for example, I’m working on a Digital TV and CDMA Bible, concentrating on a lot of EE stuff and also preparing a major speech at a W3C conference on mobile Web browsers, leaving me little time testing all the new XDA-Devs-originating stuff.)
(Also see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=300200 for my 2007 announcement – it’s a bit outdated tough.)
Remarks / comments / recommendations are welcome!
Awesome. I'm excited about this. These awards always help me find new/interesting titles to toy with.
Apart from what's on your list already, and in terms of eloquence and overall usefulness, I love the PocketCM Keyboard, and I use it all the time. In terms of functionality, I like that new Internet Connection Sharing Control (http://cleanimport.xda/index.php?threads/377047/) program. It's still in development, but the idea of it is great: finally an all-in-one utility for handling all of the various Internet sharing configurations. As far as I know, it's also the first program to let a user use their phone as a wifi adapter.
I personally think that Schaps Advanced Config is the most usefull program for what I do, but I'm not entirely sure what kind of programs are within the scopes of this...
+1 l3v5y
And for the best suite of programs, A_Cs S2 series win every time although they're not the most innovative programs in that they are just trying to copy the iPhone....
Hi Everyone,
I need to add a few points to Werner's (Menneisyys) post. (I am the owner of Smartphone and Pocket PC magazine and in charge of the awards).
First, as you might have guessed, the quality of our category structure and to a large extent the nominees is directly due to Werner's incredible efforts.
I asked Werner to get started ASAP, and his response naturally was to post here. However, as you will see we aren't as ready as we might be.
At www.PocketPCmag.com are in the middle of a conversion of data from our current rich but hodgepodge of a site, mostly written in ASP. We are moving to a cleaner, more uniform look using the Drupal Content Management System.
Because of timing, we decided to do the awards and leave the encyclopedia of software and accesssories in our current (ASP) system for now. Then probably when nominations are frozen in July we'll switch over.
However, we REALLY need to update the input form for vendors.
It looks like we'll have to do that in ASP. We are juggling a lot, and we can't commit to updating the form until at the latest, May 1.
So, the ideal from Werner and my side, would be to at least make sure your products are in the db now. Then everyone can update their information as soon as I give the OK here.
THANKS and good luck.
A_C's s2u2, s2p, s2v
xxza said:
A_C's s2u2, s2p, s2v
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Totally Agree
marshj05 said:
Totally Agree
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Nothing comes near.
Thanks guys for the feedback.
I've (being the author of several networking & hacking-related tutorials & hacks) already played a bit with CSC but still haven't had the time to test it in all possible configurations / on all my WinMo devices. Will definitely post a detailed review / evaluation on it and also nominate it for this year's Awards. (Preparing for a W3C speech, in addition to preparing my next Bibles, takes a LOT of time and work so I can't really test new software right now...)
BTW, at the General forum, there's a Dev Awards thread ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2100268 ); I'm thinking of in some way combining it with the Smartphone Mag awards structure before May.
BTW 2, speaking of last year's nominees and categories, feel free to comment on them too - what other titles would you see nominated? I prefer open discussions like this to PPCMag's (closed) user nomination system because a lot of people can chime in the discussion, making the nomination process as democratic as possible. (While, of course, I reserve the right to have the final word in nomination ).
Yeah A_C's programs are sooooo awesome!
Besides already mentioned pprgrams, i'd also add MortButtons and ThumbCal (still a beta, but already usable) to nominated applications.
Also, Mollusk's great (mostly free) games sure deserve a nomination (www.xFlib.net)
S2U2, S2V, S2P by A_C +1 for those, and I'd like to add Emunutz for his HTC HomeCustomizer and Chi Tai Dang for Battery Status
I would like to nominate Slither2006's SCLPC++ cube. It is a fantasticly useful tool in its present form and with the changes that he has stated will be in the next version, I really think that it deserves consideration. It may just be a retrofit for older PDA's, but for the vast amount of older models out there, it gives a new lease on life.
Hi,
for me....
S2U2, S2V, S2P by A_C
BYE, Bobo
S2U2, Batterystatus, PocketCM, PCM Keyboard
For me
romualdrichard said:
S2U2, Batterystatus, PocketCM, PCM Keyboard
For me
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Yup, BatteryStatus was one of the apps last year I specifically contacted the author of to be able to nominate his app - a really excellent one!
Thanks for the other suggestions.
Flipside said:
S2U2, S2V, S2P by A_C +1 for those, and I'd like to add Emunutz for his HTC HomeCustomizer and Chi Tai Dang for Battery Status
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See above - one of my most prioritized tasks was tracking down him and nominating his stuff last year. And, thanks for the suggestions
mr_deimos said:
Also, Mollusk's great (mostly free) games sure deserve a nomination (www.xFlib.net)
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Wowz! Thanks for mentioning them! I think I'll write a dedicated article on them - I love small "retro" games like these. (Ever seen N.I.'s Retro Games pack?)
s2U2, S2V and S2P
All 3 are Great!!
Ok... I know I'm not one of the elite here, but I've been a PPC Admin creating custom ROMs with kitchens for a number of devices for the last 4-5 years. I love this site and everyone here has done an excellent job developing for our devices, but its time we organize this site to make it easy for noobs to get involved in our world. The big problem I see when I try to help people get into WinMo is that its really hard for them to find the right apps and previews of what is possible to do. The biggest complaint I have from friends who use this site is that there are often different threads for the same app and often they download the older version by mistake. I also see what happens to developers like A_C who have their apps ripped off and sold as a "bundle of freeware apps". Its wrong and I'd hate to see him or any of the other developers not get credit for their hard work.
So here is what I'm proposing... Why don't we create an app store right here where free and for pay apps can conveniently and easily be searched and organized. We could even setup rss feeds for the different applications so people could be notified when a new version or even a update to the thread has occurred. I know Microsoft is coming out with their app store, but come on. when have they gotten anything right for a community at this level of capability right at the start?
Either way.. I think it would be a great idea for us to build this and expand the Win Mo community. Thanks everyone for your hard work.
Feel free to comment.
Using RSS from a new sub-forum that XDA could setup would allow a dev to pull the threads and information. If they're formatted properly before submitted to the App Store forum, the first post in the thread could be App's description and preview including any youtube previews. The second post would have the cab file.
There would also be a string of text in the first post which would define device compatibilities so Raphael users don't try and download Kaiser specific software and vice-versa
A pre-approval process would take place in a seperate forum and PPC veterans and forum senior members could assist in evaluating the posts as well as the software?
I see a more community based solution in this idea. Very nice. BUT.. will it happen? I'm no longer in the programming side of the biz, but if someone could come up with an app that would take the RSS from a forum, I could setup a test forum on a site I run just for proof of concept. Anyone interested?
Sounds like a great idea! I think a forum isnt the best solution for the matter but at least there would be some kind of order...
(App2Date support for more programs would be helpful then as well)
I only say forum because this database is already in place, easily tweaked (I run a few vBulletin sites so I know how easy it can be) and the authors can update their applications easily without having to reinvent the wheel from the ground up. With the proper required fields we could easily organize everything nicely
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=488610
okay that sounds better.. im not experimenting with forums much
is is possible to filter things then? i cant really picture it
when i look for an app i always download all available of a kind (e.g. 5 minesweeper) and in the end not even 1 works ^^
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=480476
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=436127
why not have 3 more...
i think before u can update ur apps u first need 2 download them... and in order to do that u need to find them first and thats what this thread is mainly about
have u ever heard about apple app store? its not about selling devices whatsoever but to FIND SOFTWARE (easily)
Yep, there are a few being built already, but maybe a more "Official" one would get more development and community support?
Here's another one too: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=471576
I'd really like to see one of these Appstore ideas to also track UI customizations. I can't tell you the number of hours I've spent reading through hundreds of posts to find the perfect SPB Mobile Shell UI... lol.
I have tried all of the above mentioned 'portals' and I use DeviceUpdate, but it's the same 97 or 98 apps! This would be a direct tie-in to this site. Developers could submit their apps to the community for approval and they'd be moved into the proper section of the app 'vault' and would instantly be available in the Mobile Application which would generate its list via a direct RSS of the App Vault forum..
Why create a new database and userbase when XDA's is already so huge?
I second, third and forth this request. XDA dev's deserve a store for app releases and use the forum as a dev/feedback forum.. Vbulletin can only do so much... If revenue sharing is the major hurdle I would hope the webmaster can work out an agreement with the devs who want to submit apps. Another hurdle could potentially be copyright infringements.. Unofficial ROM's and other promoted/sold "clone-apps" could bring unwanted publicity to the site. This simple chaotic forum might be the perfect element to keep XDA under the corporate radar and safe from hungry lawyers.
norkoastal said:
I second, third and forth this request. XDA dev's deserve a store for app releases and use the forum as a dev/feedback forum.. Vbulletin can only do so much... If revenue sharing is the major hurdle I would hope the webmaster can work out an agreement with the devs who want to submit apps. Another hurdle could potentially be copyright infringements.. Unofficial ROM's and other promoted/sold "clone-apps" could bring unwanted publicity to the site. This simple chaotic forum might be the perfect element to keep XDA under the corporate radar and safe from hungry lawyers.
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I disagree that 'vbulletin can only do so much'.. XDA-Developers.com even uses a basic 'stock' theme.. this site isn't customized very much and is a very basic implementation of the software. An app on the phones that pull the information from a sub forum of this site could load up previews, videos and the download links. If you want to add in 'dontation' links, that's also possible, but I think that's better left to PCs.
I agree that staying 'under the radar' is essential, but being able to access all of the software that can greatly improve your device from anywhere at a moments notice is key... I'm currently browsing to a forum on my phone to get a piece of software and it's taking at least 3 minutes to do it when I can get there in less than 10 seconds on the PC.. put this stuff in an app and I won't even need the PC other than to find the dev and discussion threads....
I see vBulletin in a different light from just a chat enabler.. but it might be because I know the back end so well.
l3it3r said:
I disagree that 'vbulletin can only do so much'.. XDA-Developers.com even uses a basic 'stock' theme.. this site isn't customized very much and is a very basic implementation of the software. An app on the phones that pull the information from a sub forum of this site could load up previews, videos and the download links. If you want to add in 'dontation' links, that's also possible, but I think that's better left to PCs.
I agree that staying 'under the radar' is essential, but being able to access all of the software that can greatly improve your device from anywhere at a moments notice is key... I'm currently browsing to a forum on my phone to get a piece of software and it's taking at least 3 minutes to do it when I can get there in less than 10 seconds on the PC.. put this stuff in an app and I won't even need the PC other than to find the dev and discussion threads....
I see vBulletin in a different light from just a chat enabler.. but it might be because I know the back end so well.
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All valid points, but if the webmaster has no desire to expand this sites complexity, who are we to say add this n that when we are typing on a yellow/brown forum with minimal VB enhancements (no knock to XDA ).
What I see working is XDA allow a spin-off site which is the visual/functional app paradise we all crave.. The alter ego of Cydia and the evil empire. All discussion/dev related questions feed to their respective XDA threads. XDA mods can then port the data to XDA-apps when they feel the release is deemed safe. Developers who want more press/ad exposure pony up $$, and can then charge for more fully functioning software... I dont think anyone doesn't want an app store, its will you get official XDA muscle behind it?
There's a way to charge for threads, so if people want to sell the apps, they need to buy a premium spot for it on the XDA App listing.. *boom!* XDA is interested!
If a spin-off site is required, then that's cool, I'd be really interested in assisting with it. It would be possible to use the same user database.
Thanks everyone for opening feedback on this topic. I think we should look further into finding a way to make this happen. Any volunteers? l3it3r and Norkoastal have done a good job in taking the lead on this so far. How do you feel about making it happen Norkoastal andl3it3r's?
I would recommend getting some official support from XDA before beginning to compile resources for this effort. I really think there should be input from the owner/mods here who want to see this happen, & also get their take on maintaining the upkeep of this proposed rollout. I would be glad to throw my two pesos in, but wouldn't want to step on any toes or other efforts already in process, namely gecko..
I will be releasing a new more complete version of this very soon. Its a freewarepocketpc.net client working off the existing database online.
That's sweet! I use fwppc all the time because it's easy to navigate on the phone. I still think that XDA is the #1 name in Windows mobile development and that we could truly shine, but what if we were able to come up with a publicly agreed standard for thread creation down to the descriptions and layouts. Could you tie in an RSS feed from an XDA forum into that?
That's exactly what I was thinking l3it3r. A standardization for this site that is just setup for apps. If rss feeds were tied into it anyone could build an app that could go out and find the latest updates for their subscribed applications. Noobs wouldn't know about the applications used for downloading apps, but would know generally how to view a web forum. Its all about making it easier for the noobs to get interested in exploring the capabilities of WM and not to intimidate them. A good standardization of the layout would go a long way to expanding the user base and increase interest in our work.
What do you guys think?
With all things considered, I think it is better if this is done as a separate site as Napbree has done for finger friendly apps (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380748).
So if any legal issues should arise or site adjustments/enhancements that needs to be made, it can be dealt independently from XDA. This also can bring apps from other places into attention that isn't developed within XDA.
I'm interested in starting a project to help WM developers make nicer-looking apps. While the power of WM is great, I think many of us realize that the apps simply don't have the "slick"ness that apps on some competing platforms have. Part of this, I think, is because some of the awesome developers overwork themselves and simply don't have the time (or training) to pump up slick graphics to go with their slick functionality.
I have a handful of graphic design training and I think a decent understanding of UI design, but I lack programming skillz. I'd love to offer my graphic abilities to the community, and I'm sure there's plenty of others like me out there as well.
What I'd like to do is help developers find folks who want to help create graphic assets and interface designs for apps. Perhaps nothing more extensive is needed than a thread where graphics folks can post samples of their work and maybe a list of things they'd like to work on.
I realize that some developers really prefer working as a "one man" operation, and I don't want to step on any toes. But I'd like to hear feedback from the development community here and suggestions on ways we could make a project like this work great.
Hey I am a longtime fan of XDA, it has been a cornerstone of the phone hacking and app development scene for years. I was looking through the threads and noticed an app development program that had been picking up steam and even released a private beta was closed. This thread if anyone was wonder is the WP7 Android suite by TheRedDrake. It seems as though there was some strife with the mods and they have moved off site to "wp7android.com". I was wondering what caused this and why an app development cycle that was making headway towards a market release got banned? I hope someone can explain this to me because I think if there is some policy against projects like this why does this forum exist if not to mod and release apps that we can all enjoy? I don’t want to incite any anger, I am just genuinely curious about what happened and why.
The answer to your question can be found in the last post of the thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13290726&postcount=930
The developers have no intention of providing the passwords or removing them, so the project has moved off of XDA and is now entirely maintained on their website, wp7android.com. From what I know, the thread had been closed and re-opened at least once before as well.
bear831 said:
Hey I am a longtime fan of XDA, it has been a cornerstone of the phone hacking and app development scene for years. I was looking through the threads and noticed an app development program that had been picking up steam and even released a private beta was closed. This thread if anyone was wonder is the WP7 Android suite by TheRedDrake. It seems as though there was some strife with the mods and they have moved off site to "wp7android.com". I was wondering what caused this and why an app development cycle that was making headway towards a market release got banned? I hope someone can explain this to me because I think if there is some policy against projects like this why does this forum exist if not to mod and release apps that we can all enjoy? I don’t want to incite any anger, I am just genuinely curious about what happened and why.
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Its simple, they were violating forum rules. Its unfortunately, but the expectations for developer threads have been very clearly hashed out by the Admins of this site, and TheRedDrake didn't abide by them, and instead tried to use a loophole. Fortunately they managed to get a different site, because project is a cool one, but they should have just opened their own site in the first place since they knew they had no intentions of abiding the rules.
Seems cool but it was definitely the right move. If they p/w protect rar's guess they wanna charge? Not sure how many Android heads are going to pay for win7 to replace a better OS (IMO) with more programs, especially when there's a great launcher that's customizable and spot on to 7. Maybe a dual boot but not for this guy. I can't remember what that launcher is called but it looked nice if I didn't love Android so I'd have dl'ed it ^_^ goog " window phone 7 Android launcher " I'm sure it was here on xda (free-donate if u like it), if it sounds like something you'd like. Cheers
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dubyajaysmith said:
Seems cool but it was definitely the right move. If they p/w protect rar's guess they wanna charge? Not sure how many Android heads are going to pay for win7 to replace a better OS (IMO) with more programs, especially when there's a great launcher that's customizable and spot on to 7. Maybe a dual boot but not for this guy. I can't remember what that launcher is called but it looked nice if I didn't love Android so I'd have dl'ed it ^_^ goog " window phone 7 Android launcher " I'm sure it was here on xda (free-donate if u like it), if it sounds like something you'd like. Cheers
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To be fair, their project was a hell of a lot more than a launcher. They basically built an Android equivalent to WP7 from scratch, including the Zune player.
WP7Android project is one of the best projects. As it is aiming to change the whole UI of android to WP7, not just the UI. They are also working on apps for the gallery, mail, dialer, camera, browser.. and more than i can't remember right now. It's going to be a big project!
The project has been moved from XDA to the WP7Android forum. You can check out their website where they have all the details about this project, you can also donate if you want to get access to all the beta apps. www.wp7android.com
I donated to TheRedDrake at the start of this project, and i have no comments on all the apps they provide, they are really great (Considering they are still in Beta stage..) also, donating helps the devs and keeps the project alive, and keeps the process of it going along the way.
http://twitter.com/#!/TheRedDrake
Donations that were made for this project made it possible and made it exist. Not free apps or lite versions. There are already versions of other WP7 styled apps not part of this project that have as much features as a lite version. I understand the devs not wanting to waste their time on making lite versions.
As i have read, the three apps that TheRedDrake wanted to make them free, will not be free anymore, and this is because the mods of XDA closed the thread of this project..
ms7p said:
WP7Android project is one of the best projects. As it is aiming to change the whole UI of android to WP7, not just the UI. They are also working on apps for the gallery, mail, dialer, camera, browser.. and more than i can't remember right now. It's going to be a big project!
The project has been moved from XDA to the WP7Android forum. You can check out their website where they have all the details about this project, you can also donate if you want to get access to all the beta apps. www.wp7android.com
I donated to TheRedDrake at the start of this project, and i have no comments on all the apps they provide, they are really great (Considering they are still in Beta stage..) also, donating helps the devs and keeps the project alive, and keeps the process of it going along the way.
http://twitter.com/#!/TheRedDrake
Donations that were made for this project made it possible and made it exist. Not free apps or lite versions. There are already versions of other WP7 styled apps not part of this project that have as much features as a lite version. I understand the devs not wanting to waste their time on making lite versions.
As i have read, the three apps that TheRedDrake wanted to make them free, will not be free anymore, and this is because the mods of XDA closed the thread of this project..
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Nice to see someone is supporting me. People like him bring my project to life
Well since the original topic was closed I have to explain here somethings:
Q: Why do you password protect the rar files?
A: I said that only contributors are allowed. If you help this project in some useful way I will grant access. This means everybody could enter if they helped.
Q:Why don't you post free apps? .....or lite versions?
A:For first question go to previous Q&A, for second it goes like this: we won't spend time making any sort of lite versions. There are already apps in the market by other developers not involved in the project that have the same amount of features as a lite version.
Q:Why don't you obey the XDA forums rules like all devs do?
A:I do obey them but putting the apps for free just because of that ain't going to do. As I already said if you help you can get them for free.
Q:You know people get frustrated by your policy. Many devs offer apps for free. What do you say about that?
A: True they do. But many devs don't offer their work for free. Not all in this world is for free and most quality software is paid. You should realize that.
Q:Are you still going to release 3 apps for free for XDA users?
A:No, maybe for our forum users 1-2 apps.
Q:Have you any intention of trying to reopen the thread?
A:No, it has been moved to the official site forum at http://www.wp7android.com
Q:Are you in any way upset at the moderators for closing the original thread?
A:Nope, not at all. I understand why they did this. It is their job to make sure XDA forum rules are followed by everybody even if sometimes those rules are nonsense.
Q:There have been similar devs who got kicked from XDA from the same reason. Are you aware of them?
A: Yes Ultralinx is such case. Banned from trying to sell his work. Well he is sympathetic to our cause and offered free advertising on his site. I'm certain he is angry at the XDA mods.
Q:Finaly what do you think of the XDA policy of free apps?
A:Here is one example: SPB Shell beta apk was available here even if it was a closed beta and SPB didn't permit the apk to be freely distributed.The moderators didn't do anythin about it. I will let you judge by yourself this one.
Everyone should definitely join the new forum we just launched . We also started a Facebook fan page the other day . http://www.google.com
There is some absolutely fantastic work being done by everyone . As stated above , this isnt just a launcher . This is going to be the whole enchilada . If you're a fan of the UI , then this project is for you .
We are all very excited to be doing this , and this is NOT something that will be dropped and no longer supported ( like most of the other wp7-like apps ).
We are in it for the long haul . Join us for the ride . We are going to start having prize giveaways , developer blog spots , etc.
One of our devs will be presenting our project at the Happy Go Techy Expo in Seattle.
We still have much work to do , but this is one of the few UI overhauls here at XDA where progress is actually being made and YOU can be a part of it . Thanks to everyone that has already helped and has joined our rapidly growing community .
Don't forget, http://www.google.com/
Join the forums and let us know YOUR thoughts . Thank you .
put you ads somewhere else... hope you get banned from xda for that.
@dubyajaysmith agreed!
As someone who was critical initially, I want to say that I've donated to the project. TheRedDrake has returned personal PMs to him, and I think my concerns have been put at ease.
The last thing I think anyone wants to do is lose good devs in the Android community. After learning some more about the work behind the scenes, I'm definitely supporting this project.
I partially agree with the decision to close the old thread. Yes, it is a bit against the rules, but some other devs are putting non-free non-lite apps here too, and their thread won't get closed. The WP7 team was working hard on the whole stuff, I've been able to take a look at their source, and help them here and there, and I have to say, what they did, is pretty impressive.
The Zune Player is almost ready, the Launcher looks good as it is, functional, works as it should. Everything else is in order, and the whole pack will definitely worth the money they ask for it.
The whole UI is being replaced, and hopefully it will extend to some other applications too (currently the Contacts app is finished, the Zune Player, Messaging, Launcher has work on it AFAIK, and the others are being written too, I have no further info on it though).
I think the mods need to calm down and get over themselves. There are developers who are doing the same thing they accused TheRedDrake of who haven't had their threads taken down. That just makes the mods seem as though they are immature and play favorites to projects they personally like. I love XDA, but when they take unjust actions like I just described, it disappoints me to see them contradict their own definition of a developer community.
TheRedDrake said:
Q:Why don't you post free apps? .....or lite versions?
A:For first question go to previous Q&A, for second it goes like this: we won't spend time making any sort of lite versions. There are already apps in the market by other developers not involved in the project that have the same amount of features as a lite version.
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So why exactly did you release a lite version of the wp7launcher now in the market?
Glad you did it though...
Launcher7 is way better than this launcher...
Shadewalkerz said:
Launcher7 is way better than this launcher...
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You made that determination from a lite version? And how about the zune, email, and dialer apps?
Your last two posts have been awesome .. I'm sure you're third will be just as good. No reason to hate man, move along if you don't like our work .. that's very disrespectful.
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Appear then Disappear
Why was it pulled off the market (lite)? it was there yesterday but now its not...
I did get to try it out though... LWP didn't work for me and there was no add widgets button when I press the menu button on my phone.... personally its just like L7 not to dog the hard work people put into this (I really would like to see how this project turns out) its just an opinion.
Yeah there are Widgets, multiple home screens, live tiles, folders, etc that weren't in the lite version.
We pulled it from the market because in less than 24 hours it was up on the warez (piracy) sites.
We are putting security in place before we put anything back on the market. Good thing it was a really stripped down version
Thanks for the support. We are all spending crazy amounts of time on this.
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lucas.scott said:
Yeah there are Widgets, multiple home screens, live tiles, folders, etc that weren't in the lite version.
We pulled it from the market because in less than 24 hours it was up on the warez (piracy) sites.
We are putting security in place before we put anything back on the market. Good thing it was a really stripped down version
Thanks for the support. We are all spending crazy amounts of time on this.
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Good Call don't want all of the hard work to be wasted on pirates, Could you give an estimate how much It would cost... the whole package meaning
Can't really give that just yet ... we are bouncing around ideas .. bundled prices and stuff. We are working on an aosp rom, that we would like to include everything and be themed and such, just trying to decide what makes sense still.
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We should have the paid apps in the market in one week or less. Cheers!