MIX11 announcements for Windows Phone 7 [Rumors]
(See that big ol' rumor tag? Heed it. What we have here are some rumors from a new source, who, to be honest, is not completely verified. Having said that, what they say will be announced this week at MIX11 is in line with other things we've been hearing officially and unofficially--meaning this is all very plausible. So lets get to it...)
This coming week, Microsoft is hosting their developer conference in Las Vegas, NV, aptly called MIX. They usually announce new tools for developers and roadmaps for features there as well, so it's kind of a big deal as we get a look into what is coming next. Here are a couple of things developers can expect, we're told:
- Interoperability: devs can now use both Silverlight and XNA inside a single app
- Bundled SQL CE on the device
- Full camera API access e.g. for augmented reality apps
- Live tiles and push notifications will be improved and easier for developers to use
- Sensor framework and controls - easier access
- Silverlight 4 for Windows Phone
- Full network / sockets access (we've heard this before)
- More on 'Mango'
Like we said, none of the above is exactly crazy and we can totally see Microsoft giving Windows Phone developers these tools, which would really advance the platform. Of course, there's only one way to find out and we'll be there all week covering the event to see if any of this pans out. Fingers crossed.
Source: @WindowsPhone8 (personal communication)
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gibbyhome says:
what would a socket do other than VOIP?
Koki.v3 says:
IRC support, which I miss very much.
GP07 says:
I'm with you, I'd like an IRC app for wp7.
bradbrownjr says:
The ability to use apps like SSH, which would be fantastic for server admins.
PhilR8 says:
irc
futurix says:
UDP sockets are best for online games, and things like NTP (time synchronisation). TCP sockets are useful for FTP and IRC chat.Currently desktop Silverlight supports TCP sockets, but I hope they will also add UDP sockets support!
haqwin says:
There are a number of protocols for streaming audio and video that require socket support, for example RTSP among others.
lzandman says:
Yeah, Sockets API definitely. That MWC Barcelona Windows Phone Kinect demo was probably already using that Sockets API, since using HTTP tunneling for such an app would be a wrong approach.I also expect a Compass API.
KennyB1234 says:
If there is no API for address book access, Whatsapp is NEVER coming. *sigh*
futurix says:
Only Silverlight 4? Considering that beta of Silverlight 5 will be released during MIX this either means that WP developers will always get Silverlight with delay or that Mango will be released earlier than expected (and before final release of Silverlight 5).Then again, Silverlight 4 is still way better than what we have now.And SQL CE is already included on our devices - they just did not have enough time to release API for third-party developers before WP7 launch.
Verizon Hopeful says:
It is much easier for the WP OS developers and independent developers to target a stable platform (Silverlight 4) rather than one that is a moving target (Silverlight 5). I don't see the delay in having Silverlight 5 on WP as an issue.Are there particular features on Silverlight 5 that you need now on WP7?
futurix says:
Well, umm, hmmm, no? :-)I'm guessing improved databinding and text would be good to have - but Silverlight 4 is already pretty good in that department.
tfouto says:
And what about Compass, Calendar/contacts and bluetooth?
Cyruss1989 says:
I loose my trust in MSFT if they are not coming fast. I am pessimistic about Bluetooth, but that's the only API I don't need.
lzandman says:
Oh, and I also expect Silverlight 5 instead of 4. It doesn't make sense to again lag one version behind.
GP07 says:
I'm pretty sure SL5 beta is coming, the question is will SL5 be RTM in time to get folded into WP7? That's the key here, do they have the time? SL4 is done NOW and they might've been working on adding SL4 into WP7 for months now for all we know.
tfouto says:
what's the advantage of using use both Silverlight and XNA inside a single app? An example of?
futurix says:
Example 1: real 3D content or high performance animation inside hubs - like XBox Live app when you customize avatar (although XBox Live app actually simulates hub, so it behaves a bit differently).Example 2: crisp scalable text inside games.
Jf.Vigor says:
Wow all these comments are ones of complaints. I am SUPER stoked about at least 4 things on this list!*Open socket access (finally we can get apps on par with iphone/android)*Improved live-tiles (one of my biggest complaints with windows phone are the live tiles not working like they should)
1jaxstate1 says:
This is great news. Looks like Devs are going to get what they have been asking for. And they'll give us what we want!
haqwin says:
Please skip the SQL support, If you need to put a big database on that thing you are not doing it right. Do we really need bloated crapplications that are trying to be deskop apps? Please no!
futurix says:
In the future please Google things you have no idea about before posting about them.SQL Server CE is micro-database - it is designed for mobile devices and is tiny. It is Microsoft's answer to SQLite (database used on iOS and Android) and is also used for Windows Mobile.Without on-device micro-database apps like Facebook and Twitter will continue to have problems with loading a lot of items from the cache (like they are now).
mythos13 says:
Wow, I hope all that is true.
x I'm tc says:
I would assume all these things are coming with Mango, not before. Thus many more months until we see these features. That said, Mango is shaping up to be one heck of an update.
illegaloperation says:
Perhaps Microsoft has made some under the hood changes with NoDo.
Cyruss1989 says:
I will be so disapointed if MSFT doesn't release the contacts API, all of my friends use Whatsapp and we can't use it, because MSFT hasn't published the needed API :-(Also the Compass API should be released, without it AR apps doen't make sense.
GP07 says:
I think this list is a reasonible one. The only question is when can we expect some of those things?
HD7guy says:
Though I don't expect it, I'd really like to see intranet-based app deployment. This should come as part of all paid versions of Visual Studio, either as a plugin to IIS and IIS Express or as Private Marketplace Server TM.
x I'm tc says:
My guess: On your Nokia phone.
