Database Users

Interfacing into Today plugins

Does anyone know how I can host Today plugins in my own programs like PPX and WDA do?
What kind of code would be required?
EDIT: I don't need to know how to write today plugins, but how to host the plugin component within my own applications, emulating the Today screen.
V

Not sure if this is what you want. You can write it in either of the embedded languages, but if you want to use C# and the .Net Compact Framework this tells you how
I haven't used it because I haven't got around to reinstalling eVb which is needed to build the supplied code.

kevino - thanks for the link (although you might want to edit the URL, it has an extra / on the end).
But, I don't need to know how to write a today plugin, but to host them like the Today screen does, eg SideX, WDA and PPX do.
Thanks for taking the time tho!
V

Yes I noticed later who I was replying to and that you already knew all that stuff. I thought I'd leave it there because it took me ages to find it myself.

:wink:
No problem at all.
Working on so many today plugins right now, I've found I'm >literally< thinking about them in my sleep. Frankly, even I'm getting worried!
But, the question still stands, anyone know how to host a today plugin in my own window? I think I need to interface into them etc (are they COM objects?), but I've no idea where to start looking to learn that kind of hackery...
V

today screen Plugin ?

hi
any one know how to code my own Today Screen Plugin?
i m a programmer.
i want to create my own usefull Today Screen Plugin like Clock.
short cuts. and timer..
i can only develop application for O2, but i dont know how to make
Today Screen

Hi tinkyawoo!
I assume you program in c++?
Today plug-in is basically a DLL that exports two functions with fixed ordinals.
InitCustomItem - the important one, and another (don't remember the name) for options dialog (if you want one).
There is an article on this at www.pocketpcdn.com.
You can also use my code published here for reference:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=45084
Good luck!

thanks. i will check it

tinkyawoo: if you're a programmer, I suggest checking out the SDK; it has a good example framework for a plugin, although watch out for the repainting bug in the sample.
Otherwise, read levenum's source code as well. It's excellent. You can learn a lot.
V

Would it not be possible....
Would it not be possible to write a small dll which can be controlled from VB.NET or C#.net to display certain things?
If this was released (under BSD or another permissive licence) then we could all use it to develop stuff, which would help those of us who's first language is Basic

Today Plugin
Unfortunately you can't write today screen DLLs in .Net.
There is a lot of info on the microsoft web site - if u care to search.
They do - however - give you a means of writing a EVC DLL that calls a .net application for the today screen info , but I haven't tried it.
Charlie Grillo

Re: Would it not be possible....
What do you mean by "controlled from". Do you want a .NET app to be able to effect the plug in somehow? If so, it is possible...since .NET is managed code and the plug-in is a native dll, the simplest way to have the two communicate is via windows messages.
You can do the following:
-Register a custom Message that your .NET app will broadcast to your plug-in(s)
-in your DLL WndProc procedure, listen for that message and act accordingly
Alternatively, you can have the dll do the same thing, but ofcourse, your .net app would have to be running to recieve that message (unless you have the dll launch it directly).
JonTheNiceGuy said:
Would it not be possible to write a small dll which can be controlled from VB.NET or C#.net to display certain things?
If this was released (under BSD or another permissive licence) then we could all use it to develop stuff, which would help those of us who's first language is Basic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

How does one create a Today Plug-in?

I have a program called Weather Watcher Mobile. It's a great program that I would love to see a Today Plugin incorporated. I have seen some developers on these forums who have made Today screen plug-ins. How would one create a Today Plugin for an established program? Thanks.

Here is an excellent article that helped me wright my plugin:
http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/sampchap/5461a.aspx#100
The problem is from what I can see on the developers site (is this the one you are talking about http://www.singerscreations.com/RSS/Posts/339.asp)
he programs in .NET
There is no way to create a plugin using .NET languages, only using C / C++.
In any case I believe it would be best if you referred this developer directly to the forum so he can ask the specific questions he has himself.

levenum said:
There is no way to create a plugin using .NET languages, only using C / C++.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure? http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms839442.aspx

Ok, my mistake, I should have said There is no way to create a plugin using only .NET languages."
I forgot I read about something similar briefly - using a .NET dll and a C++ dll together.

Thanks. I'll direct him to this thread.

Is it possible to write a today plugin, the text on which can be controlled through command line or any other way ?

Plugins do not except command line - they are dll not exe files, but there are plenty of other ways to control plugin text.
For example I am going to release a plugin soon that takes a string from registry, displays it and checks for changes couple of times per second.

levenum said:
Plugins do not except command line - they are dll not exe files, but there are plenty of other ways to control plugin text.
For example I am going to release a plugin soon that takes a string from registry, displays it and checks for changes couple of times per second.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When...when...when....????
I am planing a very nice plugin but it is really difficult to make one. All examples on the net are for evc++, I did not find a single sample for Visual Studio 2005.
If u are making something like this, it will really save a lot of my time.

Soon I hope, but it will be evc++ as well. I hate VS 2005, its fat, slow and costs a lot.
But if you are using c++ (there are samples on MSDN for c#) it doesn't matter what compiler the project is for, just use the source files.
See the links in previous posts for detailed explanations.

html page on today screen ?

is it possible ?

there's an example on the MSDN how to achieve this.
It's a tutorial to make a Today Screen plugin with the .NETCF Framework. SInce it's impossible to make a TodayScreen with .NET they use a c++ host which enables you to create an HTML container on the Today Screen. I think that's what you want

activetoday?

Interesting, can you point out what is the title of the example?
So I can search in msdn.
Rhapsody said:
there's an example on the MSDN how to achieve this.
It's a tutorial to make a Today Screen plugin with the .NETCF Framework. SInce it's impossible to make a TodayScreen with .NET they use a c++ host which enables you to create an HTML container on the Today Screen. I think that's what you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I had to search for a while but here it is:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms839442.aspx
I tried it a long time ago, but couldn't get it to work. (but I think that's because of me and not because of the article)

Modaco wrote a plugin for Modaco Plus users to do this.
Also the Plugin app SideX does this, probably others to!
Not so hard to write from scratch if you wanted to.
V

vijay555 said:
Modaco wrote a plugin for Modaco Plus users to do this.
Also the Plugin app SideX does this, probably others to!
Not so hard to write from scratch if you wanted to.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're not familiar with C++ it can be hard

[X] WApps - A windows mobile "appstore"

I got the idea to make a application finder software for Windows Mobile. Specially designed to HTC Diamond, with many G-apps & games and other nice apps. It's under development now, and i will release one screenshot for you.
This app will not be just an styled IE-frame, like many "appstore" like apps that have been released before.
19. October 2008:
New Screenshot of the start screen.
Development stopped, becouse of the Gecko project.

I think this is a phenominal idea. The idea that went around recently was an internet based solution through ie explorer and it just was not device friendly. To have a device based solution is much more sensable. If you could create a server that developers could upload their most recent programs too that would be the best.
Maybe contact the system admin on this site and see if he will give your program to access the sites FTP server or something. Then a user could use your device based program that would seemlessly connect to the interenet in the back ground, poll the server for software, sort it and place it into a thumb friendly interface on the phone by which it could be sorted into categories of games, utilities, themes, programs etc etc....
Of course the admin would have to create those categories on the site's side and the developers would need to upload their program to the correct one but I think everyone has been in such a need for this that they would be willing to do it without much arm twisting.
Or, you could create device user interface that interacts with Orb.com... But then you would have to get the updates of programs and upload them to ORB for your program to work. But ORB does already have a sorting feature that your user controls on the device could be made to access for sorting etc. It even has a video section that a user could download tutorials of different programs that someone took time to make.
All just ideas. Some you may find good or not. I am excited to see a device based program though. It make user intereaction easier.
Curious G.

yes
Its a good idea, keep working on it

seems to be a nice idea

I like the idea but this really depends on what will be offered / how updated the actual site behind the store application is. Have you had any thoughts on that yet?

i second that.
at this time i browse via opera tho xda to download stuff... but having a app that simplifies things would be even better...
maybe all the downloads here could be managed and put upto "youre" server in an automated way..

I remember seeing this article a few weeks ago about Microsoft creating their own app store.
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/n.../job-advert-reveals-microsoft-skymarket.phtml
Either way, it's certainly a good idea!!

I forward the notion. An app that has all the apps at hand for easy download by category would kick some serious asss..
If I can help in any way let me know.
Greetings to all.

Love this development. Maybe this progress will open up eyes on new skilful programmers and we will see an increase of good looking apps and games. Not that I don't just love the things going on here at xda. But the more the merrier, right? The only complaint that I might have on this forum is the all the threads with wallpapers and especially the ones with half-naked women...But that's me...
So an app store (or two) is going to make it easier for us to sort out what we are interested in and only that.

If needed count me in I can help develop..

Great idea.
In the spirit of AppToDate, which I found worked very very well. But with YouTube-app like interface, all connected to database were latest apps can get installed.
Great idea!

I'm working to figure out how to connect to MySQL from a windows mobile based device, does anyone here know?

double post****

i think if these two threads could be incorporated
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=428480
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=433913
that would be a good way to do storage
each developer could use have there own account and then whenever they updated there app they update the wapps link via web or give it like some type of flash capabilities that would be really great
or there could be a generic account that ever one uses to upload too
looks like this is in the works http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=436127
maybe some collabo might be nice

Nice project!! GoOd Luck!!

If there was a way to advertise this app when it gets made. the diamond would sell millions

Why not just modify a RSS feed reader?

niikoo said:
I'm working to figure out how to connect to MySQL from a windows mobile based device, does anyone here know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe Sqlite is more accurate for a mobile device ?
And you just download the sqlite file available on a server, this way requests would be very fast.

masterbox said:
Maybe Sqlite is more accurate for a mobile device ?
And you just download the sqlite file available on a server, this way requests would be very fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, every time you start it will update from the web or you can click on a button to update (or an 'update every x minutes' function

please keep up the hard work!!!!! love to see this appstore happen!