Database Users

Microsoft finally licenses Flash Lite for WM

One way or another, it looks like we'll finally have Flash on our devices soon...
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/17/microsoft-bites-bullet-licenses-adobes-flash-lite-for-windows/

Finally,this issue is resolved. I wonder what's going to happen to silverlight if FL3 makes it to WM platform.

Anyway, I have all my hopes in Opera 9.5 and Skyfire...seems that they could provide a relief sooner..

eaglesteve said:
Finally,this issue is resolved. I wonder what's going to happen to silverlight if FL3 makes it to WM platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read the many other posts regarding ms and adobe agreement, MS will continue to develop silverlight, but thought they needed something now. And will add silverlight to WM as they entice more developers to use their technology. In either case, competition is good to entice micro$oft to continue their development of Windows mobile. It is a great app, but faster development or more current technology would not hurt MS future development of WM.

I also read they wanted to license Adobe Reader, and Adobe forced Flash Lite on them as part of the deal.
Unfortunately FL only supports older Flash implementations so we'll still find web sites (or parts of sites) that we can't use.

techntrek said:
I also read they wanted to license Adobe Reader, and Adobe forced Flash Lite on them as part of the deal.
Unfortunately FL only supports older Flash implementations so we'll still find web sites (or parts of sites) that we can't use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean it's not going to be FL3?

A quote from the original source.
" Think of Flash Lite as a slightly older version of Flash; the most current version of Flash Lite can't properly display Web sites created with the newest version of Flash, Flash 9, but it works with sites created using older versions of the technology."

Google Chrome Browser on Diamond?

I see a viral marketing campaign has just begun. Sounds like it may develop into an excellent alternative to whats out there. Some speculation that it may ultimately be suitable for use on PDAs and Phones. Here's hoping - Because so far none of the current PPC browser appeal to me much.
Does anyone else think or know if this might be a goer on the Diamond?
Here are a couple of links in case you haven't tripped over it yet.
Wikipedia Google Chrome
"..Google could be planning on mobile domination.."
Googles Chrome Blog
Chrome Comic Book

I dont think there is a WM version of Chrome yet is there?

timn2087 said:
I dont think there is a WM version of Chrome yet is there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there isn't. It's hard to think that an evergrowing company like Google wont create a browser for WM or at least (most definitely) Android when it's out.

kareem9nba said:
No, there isn't. It's hard to think that an evergrowing company like Google wont create a browser for WM or at least (most definitely) Android when it's out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember reading on engadget that they plan to send out a version of chrome for Android So maybe also for WM, if they don't see it as to much of a competitor.

i read somewhere on engadget that chrome is in moble development along side andriod but not directly integrated. but heard nothing of WM.

Google are going spend money developing Chrome on WM so that users won't have to upgrade to an Android phone to get it .... er, yeah, that sounds plausible, thanks Google for helping extend the life of Microsoft OS phones.

Blazeitup123 said:
i read somewhere on engadget that chrome is in moble development along side andriod but not directly integrated. but heard nothing of WM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup thats what read as wel..only an Anroid development software at the moment, Not sure it will come to WM

Opera Mobile 10 is now on Android!

Just saw this:
http://www.mobiletechworld.com/2009/12/10/opera-mobile-10-on-android-video/
Hopefully it will be out soon!

been waiting for this for a long time, mainly because of the plugin-free flash support (and HTML 5 isn't coming fast enough). If what I gathered from the video is right, it looks like they're deploying to OEMs and carriers first to see if they want to use those on their devices. That means T-Mobile US is not interested (they put out roms as vanilla as they get, not that that's a bad thing). I wonder about widespread availability.
Also, with HTC's track record on WinMo, I'm pretty sure Opera Mobile will replace their browser later on for a newer version of hero (HTC Bravo with stock Opera Mobile? YES PLEASE!!!)

YEAHH!!! Finally Iv been waiting for this since they announced they will support Android.

jubeh said:
been waiting for this for a long time, mainly because of the plugin-free flash support (and HTML 5 isn't coming fast enough). If what I gathered from the video is right, it looks like they're deploying to OEMs and carriers first to see if they want to use those on their devices. That means T-Mobile US is not interested (they put out roms as vanilla as they get, not that that's a bad thing). I wonder about widespread availability.
Also, with HTC's track record on WinMo, I'm pretty sure Opera Mobile will replace their browser later on for a newer version of hero (HTC Bravo with stock Opera Mobile? YES PLEASE!!!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they'd go with fennec (when it's released), rather than Opera for the stock browser. Just seems like mozilla has built a reputation that developers can't deny. Either one would be awesome though.

rp1783 said:
I think they'd go with fennec (when it's released), rather than Opera for the stock browser. Just seems like mozilla has built a reputation that developers can't deny. Either one would be awesome though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so much mozilla but webkit. I think there'd be a problem with the licensing though. HTC DOES seem pretty intent on protecting their IP and with Opera Mobile they can keep whatever changes they make to the app to themselves.
Mozilla browsers (as opposed to what most might thing) are really only a tiny fragment of the market.

Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7 Series

Everything is new on WM7!
http://www.osnews.com/story/22877/Microsoft_Unveils_Windows_Phone_7_Series
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IOTrqlz4jo
If this place is wrong for this.. Im sorry... I would like to share with the friends form xda!

sebastianmc said:
Everything is new on WM7!
http://www.osnews.com/story/22877/Microsoft_Unveils_Windows_Phone_7_Series
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IOTrqlz4jo
If this place is wrong for this.. Im sorry... I would like to share with the friends form xda!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows 7, looking forward to it and definitely my next phone will still be a Windows Mobile!

Most people are talking about it in this topic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633291
Just wanted to let you know. WP7S FTW!

chongbh said:
Windows 7, looking forward to it and definitely my next phone will still be a Windows Mobile!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeap!! Its not time to change our OS Lets see what HTC will make on wm7. and maybe there will be a new touchFLO..

ATTENTION:
WINDOWS MOBILE 7 SERIES WOULD NOT SUPPORT 'ADOBE FLASH PLAYER'
look in this video and Play It on 02:39:22 and you see it yourself
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...eogallery.aspx
arggggg i hate windows

NO TouchFlo on WM7
sebastianmc said:
Yeap!! Its not time to change our OS Lets see what HTC will make on wm7. and maybe there will be a new touchFLO..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as we’ve heard so far, the details we broke in January are spot-on. Much of the interface is very Zune like. As we said then, manufacturers will not be able to make massive modifications to Windows Phone. Microsoft specifically said that things like HTC’s TouchFlo will not exist on Windows Phone.
Just check this out: mobilecrunch first-impressions-windows-mobile-7-now-known-as-windows-phone

turborider said:
ATTENTION:
WINDOWS MOBILE 7 SERIES WOULD NOT SUPPORT 'ADOBE FLASH PLAYER'
look in this video and Play It on 02:39:22 and you see it yourself
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...eogallery.aspx
arggggg i hate windows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but not forever as adobe said they are developing now for wm6.5 and it will be released in the future for wm7 as they hasenot developed a wm7 version yet

hoss_n2 said:
but not forever as adobe said they are developing now for wm6.5 and it will be released in the future for wm7 as they hasenot developed a wm7 version yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i hope so mate

turborider said:
ATTENTION:
WINDOWS MOBILE 7 SERIES WOULD NOT SUPPORT 'ADOBE FLASH PLAYER'
look in this video and Play It on 02:39:22 and you see it yourself
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...eogallery.aspx
arggggg i hate windows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Microsoft told us why. Flash on smartphones is EXTREMELY buggy, doesn't always work, and when it did work it wasn't very good quality. The only time it worked reasonably was in Skyfire, and the developers didn't get even the Flash player part from Adobe!! Although, it was nice to have the option, but at least Adobe is trying to improve it to include it with Windows Phones...eventually.

Oh, yes, and the HTC HD2's proccessor DOES support Windows Phone 7, but I don't think it has the required 4-point touch or search button (I suppose we could use the home key...).
Edit: I just found out that the HD2 has the correct minimum resolution for Windows Phone 7, WVGA.

oops, wrong thread, sorry

Really
mpscuba68 said:
As far as we’ve heard so far, the details we broke in January are spot-on. Much of the interface is very Zune like. As we said then, manufacturers will not be able to make massive modifications to Windows Phone. Microsoft specifically said that things like HTC’s TouchFlo will not exist on Windows Phone.
Just check this out: mobilecrunch first-impressions-windows-mobile-7-now-known-as-windows-phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not think it is spot on. Even some things you are saying here are your assumptions, not something MS stated. Where did now MS state specifically that HTC's Touch Flo will not exist on Windows Phone.
From what I see so far, MS has focused on what they will require vendors to provide, not on what they will ban them from providing. According to your logic, anything MS did not explicitly mention in this announcement is "specifically" banned.

http://www.osnews.com/story/22877/Microsoft_Unveils_Windows_Phone_7_Series said:
Screen resolution, aspect ratio, CPU speed, memory, you name it; it's all mandated by Microsoft. Even the button configuration: Start, back, search. That's it. No deviations. Speaking of deviations - no more custom UIs, Microsoft doesn't allow them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There for you...

Fdo35 said:
Well, Microsoft told us why. Flash on smartphones is EXTREMELY buggy, doesn't always work, and when it did work it wasn't very good quality. The only time it worked reasonably was in Skyfire, and the developers didn't get even the Flash player part from Adobe!! Although, it was nice to have the option, but at least Adobe is trying to improve it to include it with Windows Phones...eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true. The future is HTML5, which is every bit as capable, and more stable, will leave Flash in the dust where it belongs.
What we really should be asking is if these new smartphone platforms will support HTML5 and WebOS.
Flash is dead.

donalgodon said:
This is true. The future is HTML5, which is every bit as capable, and more stable, will leave Flash in the dust where it belongs.
What we really should be asking is if these new smartphone platforms will support HTML5 and WebOS.
Flash is dead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
definitelly agree, and hope you are right...

donalgodon said:
(...) Flash is dead. (...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it? Really? As of today? Come on...
Yeah, maybe sometime in the future. As soon as WP7 is ready. Maybe.
But definitely not as of today.

tictac0566 said:
Is it? Really? As of today? Come on...
Yeah, maybe sometime in the future. As soon as WP7 is ready. Maybe.
But definitely not as of today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not today, but the nails are in the coffin. It won't be long until the rest of the world realizes, but it won't happen until other leaders take the leaps necessary to put other options on the table, and HTML5 support will be a part of MacOS, iPhoneOS, et. al. Steve Jobs has made that clear.
Stability and performance is what we are all after. Say what you want about Apple, but they have a design team that is maverick enough to make the leaps and not worry about legacy support.
We need to begin to make the break away from Flash.

alexsql said:
I do not think it is spot on. Even some things you are saying here are your assumptions, not something MS stated. Where did now MS state specifically that HTC's Touch Flo will not exist on Windows Phone.
From what I see so far, MS has focused on what they will require vendors to provide, not on what they will ban them from providing. According to your logic, anything MS did not explicitly mention in this announcement is "specifically" banned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, actually a Microsoft person (don't know what he does)
told an Engadget editor that while he was giving him a demo of Windows Phone 7, which was recorded. I think so, that is. It may have been a video from another site or quoted, but I remember Microsoft saying that somewhere.

Windows Mobile Development on MS Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone?

Hi I'm looking for a solution for developing windows mobile applications without paying for a professional version of visual studio (I am a hobbyist and don't have the spare cash for such an outlay). I'm sure I'm not the only one in the same situation here.
Options:
1. Visual Studio 2008/2010 Professional 90 Day Trail
Temporary solution, which I'm using now.
2.Windows Mobile Development Without Visual Studio
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/mobile/WiMoSansVS.aspx
Although I've tried this method and it works, I've realised I am not familiar enough to do the programming I need without the support and tools which Visual Studio provides.
3. Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone
http://winspark.net/2010/03/15/download-visual-studio-2010-express-for-windows-phone/
I've yet to try this, the documentation does not mention windows mobile (only windows phone), logic would suggest that it would include support for windows mobile (as we all know, logic may not apply). Even the comparison charts I've looked at don't mention it (I hope due to the re-brand of windows phone).
Can anyone confirm if this would provide a suitable free solution for windows mobile development?
Hopefully this can be answered before my free trail I'm using in option 1 expires so it can give me time to attempt to get a full Pro Version instead. Since it took me a week on and off, of uninstalling and reinstalling Visual Studio, SDKs, .net frameworks etc etc to get VS2008Pro trial to work correctly, I don't want to try it until I've run out of my period or finished what I'm working on.
4. Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2
Not sure how this would compare with later versions, and also if wm6.5 would be supported. Hopefully it's a good fall-back option if it's still available.
vijay555 said:
PC Plus Magazine did a big review of the express versions and said that they "expressly" leave out Mobile development.
Good to practice on, but not for WM5/WM2003 development so far I think. If you're desperate, you can get a free copy of Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 from many places, and that will let you do pretty much everything, but the emulator is not perfect. This can be downloaded from elsewhere though. So, pretty much full development for free!
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone tried option 3?
I'm sure it will help a lot of people starting out if this can be confirmed to be a free development solution for wm6.x.
I can even start with some tutorials to get people started off.
My poll, showed people were interested but needed a starting point [6 out of 10]:
[SENSE][WM][WIN] Manila, Windows Mobile and Windows Developers Interest Poll?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=653464.

Little options
When you like to use a MS Visual Studio environment, I think you have little options. According to this article on the msdn forum, option 3 is... wel not an option since only version 7 is supported...
To my knowledge you can not use the 6.5 (6.1/6.5) SDK on the express versions (2005/2008) of Visual Studio. Maybe you're in luck and some 'hack' is around to be able to install the SDK on a express version, but I never 'googled' for it. By default you cannot install the sdk on a 2008 express version.
Your option 2 (Windows Mobile Development Without Visual Studio) looks like the only available free option...
meltwater said:
4. Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2
Not sure how this would compare with later versions, and also if wm6.5 would be supported. Hopefully it's a good fall-back option if it's still available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is option is probably your best solution. Don't know enough about MS licensing to be sure it's legal though

lextendo said:
When you like to use a MS Visual Studio environment, I think you have little options. According to this article on the msdn forum, option 3 is... wel not an option since only version 7 is supported...
To my knowledge you can not use the 6.5 (6.1/6.5) SDK on the express versions (2005/2008) of Visual Studio. Maybe you're in luck and some 'hack' is around to be able to install the SDK on a express version, but I never 'googled' for it. By default you cannot install the sdk on a 2008 express version.
Your option 2 (Windows Mobile Development Without Visual Studio) looks like the only available free option...
Thanks for your answer.
This is option is probably your best solution. Don't know enough about MS licensing to be sure it's legal though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's kinda what I feared:
Option3 - MS want to move people to Windows Phone 7 and off windows mobile, so sort of understand this (although way to annoy a lot of people in the process).
Yep WM is not supported in the other Express versions, but thought 2010 would be backwards compatible. I'm not sure what you do if you want to develop for both platforms...
Puts me off learning to develop for it really, might consider a different platform next time I get a phone.
Hack an Express version Option - Yeah I don't think that's in the T&Cs. Getting a genuine Pro Trial version was difficult enough to get running correctly.
Option 2: Since it's a case of installing tools which they've freely released without modifying them it's probably ok.
Edit - MS Rip:
Visual Studio 2008 Professional £709.99 (and they charge postage...). I can't begin to understand why they want to make it so difficult just to write apps when they give everything else away with Express, plus now the fact they give away Windows Phone 7 development via VS2010.
Current result is:
Best Option is #1 - after 90 days there is of course a problem...
Option #2 - Perhaps possible once you have learned enough to do without the form designer and emulator or you have most of your application completed already.
Option #3 - Dead End for windows mobile.
Option #4 - Not found a version which I can trust to use. Consider the size and amount of stuff being installed, plenty of room to sneek some nasties in if obtained from a bad source.
Personally, I think if you are interested in developing for the 1st time, then go for option #1, you may find you've done all you want to in 90 days and if not you have option 2 to finish off what you were working on.
I would also consider backing up your system before you do development work to ensure you have a "clean" system to go back to (ensure you don't get your computer clogged up with VS files that linger etc - VS also can require a lot of installing/uninstalling of SDKs etc to get running correctly so a good back up is very important).

Just got done installing Visual Studio 2010 and was looking for the SDK's. Unfortunately the search for information has only lead to one thing.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/sa69he4t.aspx
No support for WM6.5 in VS2010. Too bad. Guess going back to Visual Studio 2008. MS seems to bet on WP7 for Visual Studio in the future. I did find some rumors that WM 6.5 Comaptible SDK's should follow a couple month after release of VS2010 but so far nothing more then rumors.

swiss420 said:
Just got done installing Visual Studio 2010 and was looking for the SDK's. Unfortunately the search for information has only lead to one thing.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/sa69he4t.aspx
No support for WM6.5 in VS2010. Too bad. Guess going back to Visual Studio 2008. MS seems to bet on WP7 for Visual Studio in the future. I did find some rumors that WM 6.5 Comaptible SDK's should follow a couple month after release of VS2010 but so far nothing more then rumors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's very annoying. Fortunately the 90 days trial works out quite a long time if you are working on something for the whole time.
Fingers crossed they will keep VS2010 free for WM6.5 too if they do release them. It would make sense to allow people to develop for both at the same time IF as they promised it is as easy to port to WP7. On plus side, the graphics side of WM6.5 SDK is rather poor which WP7 hopefully won't suffer from so much (just hope it's not too restrictive + we can use it if any good on WM6.5 phones...).

meltwater said:
Yeah it's very annoying. Fortunately the 90 days trial works out quite a long time if you are working on something for the whole time.
Fingers crossed they will keep VS2010 free for WM6.5 too if they do release them. It would make sense to allow people to develop for both at the same time IF as they promised it is as easy to port to WP7. On plus side, the graphics side of WM6.5 SDK is rather poor which WP7 hopefully won't suffer from so much (just hope it's not too restrictive + we can use it if any good on WM6.5 phones...).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VS2010 has retailed. There will most likely not be any WM6.5 updates for it.
You can pick up a cheap copy of VS2008 Pro on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Visua...ultDomain_0&hash=item5639aedd8d#ht_2892wt_911
Even for a hobbyist, $115 is pretty damn cheap. You could probably even pick up second hand VS2005/2008 for even cheaper than that.
Remember that only the professional versions of 2005/2008 will allow for Windows Mobile development. Sure, it sucks, but WinMo is a business-orientated OS - it was never meant to allow for your average joe programmer to whip up a quick Pacman clone...

Blade0rz said:
VS2010 has retailed. There will most likely not be any WM6.5 updates for it.
You can pick up a cheap copy of VS2008 Pro on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Visua...ultDomain_0&hash=item5639aedd8d#ht_2892wt_911
Even for a hobbyist, $115 is pretty damn cheap. You could probably even pick up second hand VS2005/2008 for even cheaper than that.
Remember that only the professional versions of 2005/2008 will allow for Windows Mobile development. Sure, it sucks, but WinMo is a business-orientated OS - it was never meant to allow for your average joe programmer to whip up a quick Pacman clone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an academic licence for it (which is free via the ms dream-thingy) - if you are an academic.
2005 standard is fine and as you say 2008 pro.
I'm guessing it was more of a move to reduce support required for it since WinMob wasn't much of a money spinner. I would expect the SDK will come in time, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's pro for 2010 only (I get the general impression MS are keen to put windows mobile far behind them).
The 90 day trial seems to be fine for now, amazing how much you can do in that time anyway.

You can get the community tech preview (CTP) here:
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Downloads/#2010-Visual-Phone
Just tried it myself.

horray for studantism i can get VS 2008 Pro from Dreamspark for free, do you know anyone who may have dreamspark, willing to giv you there copy of 2008 (Single use key)

Badwolve1 said:
horray for studantism i can get VS 2008 Pro from Dreamspark for free, do you know anyone who may have dreamspark, willing to giv you there copy of 2008 (Single use key)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not, but for the hobby stuff it's possible to just create a VM or something to handle it instead. Redoing the VM every 3 months isn't much of a problem for casual use. I was curious if there was any proper way to do it that was all.
The more I use VS the less I need things like the designer, since as you get more advanced the designer is useless.