Windows Phone 7

Dear Windows Phone users – “Easy Banking IN” is no more.. Rest in Peace..

May 30, 2013 Announcements, Microsoft, Mobile-Development, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7.8, Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone Development, Windows Phone SDK No comments

Few months back all of a sudden I came across an Idea, there is no mobile banking reference application in Windows Phone market place. So I thought of putting it together and my idea came alive in one day of work and I published to the marketplace.

“Easy Banking IN” was well received by users and users were happy that they are getting an app that would help them in their mobile internet banking needs. Time to time I made so much of improvements as per user feedback.

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Marketplace link: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-in/store/app/easy-banking-in/6d36eef8-e022-4264-8b3b-bc7978e37999

Till now Easy Banking IN:

1. Was top 5-6th free App in “Banking and Personal Finance Section”

2. More than 24,000 downloads since Sept 2012

3. User reviews were averaged at 4.0/5.0  and 100+ reviews

All of a sudden few weeks back it has been removed from Windows Phone store. I have received a disappointing note from Microsoft.

From: Windows Phone Marketplace Report App
Sent: 21-05-2013 02:21
To: nithinmohantk@hotmail.com
Subject: NOTIFICATION: Windows Phone Application(s) Removed – Easy Banking IN

Dear Developer,

The application(s) listed below have been removed from the Windows Phone Store because your application(s) are not affiliated with the original banking institution and it was determined that the application(s) posed a security risk to Windows Phone users in violation of the Application Requirements for Windows Phone Store. You will not be able to republish the application(s) listed below.

Application(s) Removed

Easy Banking IN

Windows Phone Store Team

Reason “Windows Phone Team” mentioned was they feel the application is dangerous and I have no affiliation from any of the banks – hence “Easy Banking IN” is prohibited from Windows Phone store. 

  • For building a mobile banking sites database – why would somebody needs an affiliation from Banks?
  • In this internet and smart phone age you will lot other application – similar to application which only helps the user in their daily mobile banking needs.
  • I tried to explain the Windows Phone Legal team that,  it is only a mobile internet banking sites reference application. Why do you consider it as a threat? No answer to that.
  • Windows Phone Team says – any application listed under ‘Banking and Finance Category’ requires an affiliation from bank. Crazy policy right – they are just beating around the bush. If you look at iOS and Android application store – you will see similar application been listed with out any issues.
  • Again this legal and affiliation is a biased one only for “Easy Banking IN” and I could see lot other 3rd party applications listed in Windows Phone store without any affiliation. 

Final is I decided to scrap my application, due to the fact that Microsoft’s careless legal team is not ready to accept – the points I tried to explain.  No use at all, I can’t fight with them. Seems some one has reported to Microsoft legal that this application is dangerous and legal team has blindly believed it.

Sincere thanks to all the users of “Easy Banking IN”, and really sorry for disappointing you all by scrapping the “Easy Banking IN” project.   Thank you Microsoft team for the great  Inspiration.

These are the communication I received from Windows Phone app team:

and the final reply:

Hello Nithin,

Once again, the reason for removal of the app is because it is a banking related app that is not affiliated with a banking institution.  This means the only scenario that this app would be permitted is if you have an affiliation with a bank.  You are of course permitted to create and submit other non-banking related apps.

Thank you,

Windows Phone Store Team

From: Windows Phone Marketplace Report App [mailto:reportap@microsoft.com]
Sent: 23 May 2013 10:07 PM
To: Nithin Mohan T K
Subject: RE: NOTIFICATION: Windows Phone Application(s) Removed – Easy Banking IN

Hello Nithin,

We have previously described the reason why your application was removed from the Windows Phone Store.  Non-affiliated banking related applications are prohibited.  This policy is applied to every app on the Store, and any information, documentation, or affiliation related to other apps and developers is strictly confidential.  We do not share private information regarding developer accounts, thus you would not see this information posted publicly.  The APA you signed when you created your developer account cites, among other things: “Microsoft reserves the right to remove any Application or In-App Product from availability on the Windows Phone Store for any reason…”  Your application was removed strictly because it was prohibited by Store policy.

Thank you,

Windows Phone Store Team

 

From: Windows Phone Marketplace Report App [mailto:reportap@microsoft.com]
Sent: 22 May 2013 01:21 AM
To: nithinmohantk@hotmail.com; Windows Phone Marketplace Report App
Subject: RE: NOTIFICATION: Windows Phone Application(s) Removed – Easy Banking IN

Hello Nithin,

We’ve recently updated our policy regarding banking applications and other applications that process and/or handle in-app payments.  This policy applies to every application on the Windows Phone Store, and is not targeted specifically towards you as a developer or your application.  Banking related applications are required to provide verifiable documentation that they are affiliated with a banking institution.  Unless you can provide us with an affiliated status, “Easy Banking IN” is prohibited on the Windows Phone Store.

Thank you,

Windows Phone Store Team

From: Windows Phone Marketplace Report App [mailto:reportap@microsoft.com]
Sent: 21 May 2013 08:29 PM
To: Nithin Mohan T K
Subject: RE: NOTIFICATION: Windows Phone Application(s) Removed – Easy Banking IN

Hello Nithin,

Microsoft removed “Easy Banking IN” from the Windows Phone Store because your application is not affiliated with the original banking institution. Your application can be republished if you can provide proof of approval from the banking institution.

Thank you,

Windows Phone Store Team

From: Nithin Mohan T K [mailto:nithinmohantk@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 6:50 PM
To: Windows Phone Marketplace Report App
Subject: RE: NOTIFICATION: Windows Phone Application(s) Removed – Easy Banking IN

Dear Microsoft,
It is absolutely unnecessary and without specific reason you have removed this application. Application has never violated any security aspects of Windows phone. It had a very good user feedback and a user base. If required I can provide full source code to review.
Kindly please do not do this to my app which is having a good user base. It doesn’t posses any threat to security. Users has been given option to open in built in browser control or in browser itself. It neither injects any scripts.
Based on what factors you have removed app without any discussion with me.
Please respond ASAP…
Thanks & Regards
Niithin Mohan

User Feedbacks

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Setting up Windows Phone SDK update for Windows Phone 7.8 and working with Visual Studio 2010/2012

January 23, 2013 .NET, All, Community, Microsoft, Microsoft SDKs, Mobile-Development, MSDN, VisualStudio, VS2010, VS2012, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7.0, Windows Phone 7.1 SDK, Windows Phone 7.5, Windows Phone 7.8, Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone Development, Windows Phone SDK, Windows Phone Store, XAML 1 comment

Microsoft has just released an update for Windows Phone SDK 7.1 and 8.0 to provide support for Windows Phone 7.8 emulators.I have shared the details in my last blog post.

With this article I will walk you through how it would look to work with this update.

The following simple steps will help you with it:

1.) Install Windows Phone SDK 8.0 or Windows Phone SDK 7.1

2.) Install Windows Phone SDK Update for Windows Phone 7.8 from Microsoft

Click the Download button for ‘WPexpress78_update.exe’

3.) Double Click on ‘WPexpress78_update.exe’ and Click on ‘Install’ to apply this update.

Note: Depending on the network bandwidth, it would take some time to download and install necessary packages.

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Once the update is completed, you will receive the confirmation.

4.) Launch Your Visual Studio 2010 or 2012, and open up/create a Windows Phone project.

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Now go to the device selection drop down and you can see that new set of 7.8 emulators(256MB and 512MB) are added to the list.

image78_vs2012

and click on ‘Run’

Now you play with emulator for some time you can see the new tile resizing option to display small tiles for your application. And also you can create Flip, Cycle, and Iconic template based live tiles as well.

Just sharing some screen shots of sample app on emulator with Medium, small application live tile display.

imageimageimage

Why you need this separate set of emulators for 7.8, instead I can use the old 512MB/256MB emulator right?

NO, You require Windows Phone 7.8 emulators to setup and test the new Cycle, Flip, or Iconic – live tiles[small sized] for your application. Also to have the new feature –  ‘Live Tile light up’ ( an easy way for you to add Windows Phone 8 Live Tile functionality to your Windows Phone OS 7.1 app so that when it’s run on a Windows Phone 7.8 or Windows Phone 8 device it “lights up” the new templates! )

the following articles would help you understand this further.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsphone/develop/jj720574(v=vs.105).aspx

http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2013/01/22/windows-phone-7-8-and-windows-phone-8-live-tile-light-up-for-windows-phone-os-7-1-apps.aspx

Read about Flip, Cycle, and Iconic live tile templates.

Windows Phone – Downloading and Sideloading Apps from SDCard

January 2, 2013 .NET, .NET Framework, All, Community, Microsoft, Microsoft SDKs, Mobile-Development, MSDN, VisualStudio, VS2010, VS2012, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7.0, Windows Phone 7.1 SDK, Windows Phone 7.5, Windows Phone 7.8, Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.0 SDK, Windows Phone Development, Windows Phone SDK, Windows Phone Store 2 comments

With Windows Phone 8 and new Windows Phone store – Microsoft has introduced the support for Manually download the .XAP files and install the application from an SDCard(Memory card).

Follow the steps:

Step 1: Windows Phone store will have an additional option  ‘Download and install manually’   for each application [Similar to the screen shot given below].

[Image 01 – Download link]
APP_001

[Image 02 – Upon clicking on download]
APP_002

 

Step 2: Now copy the XAP file on to your MicroSD card, and insert to your supported Windows Phone 8.0 device.

Step 3: Open Windows Phone store application in your Windows Phone 8.0, you could see the ‘SDCard’ list item available along with ‘Apps’, ‘Games’ and ‘Music’.

Step 4: Select ‘SDCard’ and will list all the application .XAP’s available in your SDCard, select appropriate file and click on install.

Step 5: Sit and enjoy until the confirmation box appears. Viola!, the has app installed on your Windows Phone device.

Is that cool? Awesome!, that is really a great leap forward by Microsoft. But I think option will be limited up to Free application, considering the Piracy factors of distributing the .XAP for paid applications and games.  Even though Windows Phone store allows to download the paid application *.XAP files without purchasing, Windows Phone will validate you installation file against your purchased items.

But a great step forward. Will be really useful if you have  to install a large game which has more than 50MB or so.

Develop Applications for Windows Phone and win a trip to Barcelona–Presenting to you by Windows Phone Geek & Nokia

December 19, 2012 .NET, .NET Framework, All, Announcements, Community, Microsoft, Mobile-Development, MSDN, Nokia, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7.1 SDK, Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.0 SDK, Windows Phone Development, Windows Phone SDK, Windows Phone Store No comments

To celebrate the launch of the Lumia 920 and 820 devices, Windows Phone Geek and Nokia are offering awesome prizes for developers in the Lumia Geek 8 Week Challenge.

http://windowsphonegeek.com/lumia-geek-8-week-challenge/

Developers can win a trip for 2 to MWC in Barcelona, customized Lumias and their very own demo space at MWC in Barcelona.

All developers need to do is submit a new or updated version of their app to the Windows Phone Store.

There are prize categories for overall best app, best use of Lumia technology and for the app that gets the most votes from the Windows Phone Geek community.

This 8 week competition runs from 13th November until the 8th January during which developers can submit their apps on the Windows Phone Geek web site.

Prize Categories

“Ultimate Lumia Geek”

These prizes will be awarded for the best overall apps picked by our judges.

1st prize:

  • Trip for 2 to MWC in Barcelona. Includes: Airfare, Hotel Accommodations, & Event Passes App Demo @ WIPJam @ MWC Customized Nokia Lumia Device & Nokia Gear
  • $300 ad credit on Nokia’s Ad Exchange (NAX)
  • 1 Year Free Subscription to Nokia’s Premium Developer Program (NPDP)

2nd prize:

  • 1 Free Pass for MWC
  • Accommodations @ special “WIP Developer Pad” in Barcelona App Demo @ WIPJam @ MWC Nokia Lumia Device & Gear
  • $200 ad credit on Nokia’s Ad Exchange (NAX)
  • 1 Year Free Subscription to Nokia’s Premium Developer Program (NPDP)

3rd prize:

  • App Demo @ WIPJam @ MWC
  • Nokia Lumia Device & Gear
  • $100 ad credit on Nokia’s Ad Exchange (NAX)
  • 1 Year Free Subscription to Nokia’s Premium Developer Program (NPDP)

“Best Lumia Technology Showcase”

  • This prize will be awarded for the best usage of core Lumia features. (Lumia camera & imaging, NFC, Nokia Maps & Location or Nokia Music APIs) App Demo @ WIPJam @ MWC Customized Nokia Lumia Device & Nokia Gear$200 ad credit on Nokia’s Ad Exchange (NAX)
  • 1 Year Free Subscription to Nokia’s Premium Developer Program (NPDP)

“People’s Choice Awards”

  • Prize for apps with the most votes from the community
  • Nokia Lumia Device & Gear $50 ad credit on Nokia’s Ad Exchange (NAX)
  • 1 Year Free Subscription to Nokia’s Premium Developer Program (NPDP)

 

Go to the Windows Phone Geek web site to find out more!

http://windowsphonegeek.com/lumia-geek-8-week-challenge/

An early update on Windows Phone 7.8 release–coming in Q1-2013

November 29, 2012 .NET, All, Community, KnowledgeBase, Microsoft, Mobile-Development, MSDN, Updates, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Phone "Mango", Windows Phone "Tango", Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7.0, Windows Phone 7.5, Windows Phone 7.8, Windows Phone Development, Windows Phone SDK No comments

Yesterday Microsoft Windows Phone Team announced the availability of Windows Phone 7.8 to existing Windows Phone 7.x family of devices by early 2013.

Some of the interesting features announced are:

  • New Customizable start screen with resizable Live Tiles.
  • It doubles the number of theme and accent colors—to 20—so you can make your phone even more personal.
  • There are also new lock screen features: the option to automatically display the Bing Picture of the Day plus the ‘A1B2C3’ PIN/password challenge to prevent accidental device wipes on phones connected to Exchange accounts.

You want to read more about this announcement visit: Windows Phone Team blog

Windows Phone Power Tools–a must have extension for all Windows Phone developers

November 1, 2012 .NET, All, Community, KnowledgeBase, Microsoft, Microsoft SDKs, Mobile-Development, MSDN, Must-Have, VisualStudio, VS2010, VS2012, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7.0, Windows Phone 7.1 SDK, Windows Phone 7.5, Windows Phone 7.8, Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.0 SDK, Windows Phone Development, Windows Phone SDK, Windows Phone Toolkit No comments

The Windows Phone Power Tools are a natural extension to the developer tools that come with the Windows Phone SDK.

  • Instead of allowing you to only install developer xaps the Power Tools let you test update scenarios by allowing you to update an existing developer app.
  • Instead of having to step through the IsolatedStorage file browser on the command line, the Power Tools provide a GUI to allow you to interact with your applications.

 

Here are some screen shots :

We can connect to a Windows Phone device(after launching Zune)

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Or select an Emulator for your choice

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Connect to an emulator

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Connect to a device through Zune

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Browse your application’s Isolated storage.

Note:

  1. You can browse only the applications that you have installed through your developer license.
  2. You cannot browse through IsolatedStorage area of applications installed through Windows Phone store.

image

 

Download from  Windows Phone Power Tools – Codeplex.com page ( it is worth trying)

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