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Topic: Microsoft

Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

Summary: If Microsoft and its phone partners really do end up delivering the first Windows Phone 7 devices in October in Europe and November in the U.S., Microsoft is sure cutting it close in getting the final version of the development tools for those devices in the hands of coders.

Mary Jo Foley

By for All About Microsoft |

If Microsoft and its phone partners really do end up delivering the first Windows Phone 7 devices in October in Europe and November in the U.S., Microsoft is sure cutting it close in getting the final version of the development tools for those devices in the hands of coders.

Developers were able to get their hands on the final build of the Windows Phone tools today, September 16, as Microsoft execs promised several weeks ago.

As the Softies noted in a new blog post today, the final Windows Phone 7 tools release is required for devs who hope to have their apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace, which opens for business in "early October."

"For developers to put their apps into the marketplace, opening in early October, you will need to download this version of the tools. Any application built with a previous version of the tools will fail application certification in the Marketplace," blogged Brandon Watson, a Director in Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business unit.

The lack of the final version of the tools seemingly hasn't hampered some of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 development app-development partners. Twitter, Netflix, OpenTable, Flixster and Travelocity showed off on September 15 versions of their respective apps that worked from inside the Windows Phone 7's browser. Windows Phone 7 apps. As TechFlash reported, YouTube also showed off the ability to view content on WP7 devices from inside the WP7 browser.

The Windows Phone 7 tool suite includes Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone, the Windows Phone Emulator, Expression Blend 4 for Windows Phone, XNA Game Studio 4.0, and a just-added Bing Maps software development kit (SDK) control.

"The (Windows Phone 7 tool) installer is smart enough to download only what you need, and the tools will work with your existing Visual Studio 2010 and Expression Blend 4 installations," Watson blogged.

Microsoft also is releasing a separate Silverlight for Windows Phone Toolkit, Watson said, which will include six controls released for download from the Codeplex site under the Microsoft MS-PL open-source license. These supplemental controls do things like handle "gesture events," like tap, double-tap, hold, drag, etc. Others include date picker and time picker

The Microsoft Advertising team also announced its own SDK for Windows Phone 7 on September 16: The Mobile Advertising SDK for Windows Phone 7, as well as the Microsoft Advertising Exchange for Mobile. The Exchange is "the industry’s first real-time, bidded ad exchange in mobile," Microsoft officials claimed, and is designed to provide display-ad serving, enabling developers to build ad-supported apps.

Microsoft is expected to "soft-launch" Windows Phone 7 on October 11.

A few of you readers have asked me if I'm ready to shell out to buy a Windows Phone 7. I can't say yes for sure, as I'm not among the chosen few who've gotten one of those early loaners to test drive. I never bought a Windows Mobile phone, as I (and my various carriers) felt they weren't the best smartphones for the money. I'm reserving judgment on Windows Phone 7 until I can find one that I like with a reasonable data plan. If I don't -- who knows -- maybe I'll succumb to an Android phone.

Topics: Microsoft, CXO, Mobility, Operating Systems, Software, Software Development, Windows

About

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

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21 comments
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  • There is huge interest in Windows Phone 7

    http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-touts-300000-windows-phone-7-dev-tool-downloads/7189

    300,000 apps are going to be coming out in the first year.
    NonZealot
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

      @NonZealot
      Lets hope its not like the Apple store and we don't have 299,999 tip calculators.
      Loverock Davidson
      Reply Vote

      • Now now, be fair

        @Loverock Davidson
        There aren't anywhere close to 299,999 tip calculators in Apple's application store because that wouldn't leave any room for fart apps and flashlights.
        NonZealot
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

        @Loverock Davidson

        ...and fitness apps
        running apps
        geocaching apps
        navigation apps
        music streaming app
        (real) guitar apps

        I don't want a phone that does nothing but provide facebook and twitter streams on the home page. I don't use those services and if all the phone does is that, then it is dead to me.

        I will reserve judgment for when the phone debuts and not act like you trolls.
        maskman01
        Reply Vote

      • Microsoft Phone 7

        @Loverock Davidson Lets hope its not like the Apple store and we don't have 299,999 tip calculators.

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        atrok
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    • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

      @NonZealot
      ha, ha, ha ....
      good one for a DOA kit.
      Linux Geek
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    • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

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      Ay&Aring;Ÿem
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    • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

      @NonZealot 300,000 is such a big quantity to come app in a first year. <a href="http://www.worldwideacademics.com/programs/ged.asp">university geds</a> | <a href="http://www.worldwideacademics.com/programs/online-high-school-diploma.asp">highschool diplomas</a>
      otisa
      Reply Vote

  • 300,000 reasons to flop!

    Can't wait!!
    cyberslammer
    Reply Vote

  • Final?? Or the latest Alpha??

    NT
    wackoae
    Reply Vote

    • Final.

      @wackoae
      We aren't talking Apple here where versions 1-3 are all Alpha.
      NonZealot
      Reply Vote

  • 10% market share and falling fast

    After the Kin flop MS had better produce a winner. I am waiting until I see the first WM7 phones from my service provider. If I am not totally blown away I will be purchasing an Android phone. Producing a 'just barley better' phone as RIM did will not be good enough tp save WM7 from becoming the next Newton.
    balsover
    Reply Vote

  • I've used a win7 Phone...

    And I can tell you first hand that it is nothing like what is out there today, which I think is a VERY good thing. Organizing icons into a grid isn't innovation, and based on the fact I have used an iPhone, an Android phone and now a W7 phone, the W7 phone concepts are nothing like the phone market has seen.

    The one thing I wasn't able to test drive was the XBOX Live integration for reasons I won't divulge (I have 2 XBOX Live accounts), but the Zune integration (insert your Zune joke here :-)) is also fantastic, and a Zune pass gives you unlimited music, with 10 free downloads for $15 a month (so it is really more like $5 a month) so that I can download whatever music I want, and as much of it without paying another $.99 every time I do it.

    I'm telling you, this phone Os is a game changer. Oh, and BTW, the phone I used you could hold however you like and it wouldn't drop calls :-)

    Pat
    omdguy
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

      @omdguy WOW I'm going to run out tomorrow and get it so I can use my Zune and XBox Live!!!

      The corporate world doesn't give a CRAP. Neither does the consumer world. Windows mobile is DEAD.
      cyberslammer
      Reply Vote

      • Will you be willing to eat your words?

        @cyberslammer <br><br>Android had no chance.<br><br>Bing was destined to be a flop.<br><br>Skype is dead.<br><br>The iPhone will never be outdone.<br><br>RIM is on the verge of collapse.<br><br>Linux is poised to take over the desktop.<br><br>Apple never makes mistakes and then blames the consumers.<br><br>Please..........<strike>If</strike> <i>when</i> the newest WM platform is successful will you reply and willingly eat crow?<br><br>Why are you and those like you so eager to see fewer consumer options?<br><br>If you prefer not to buy MS products then don't.
        Raid6
        Reply Vote

  • Mary Jo doesn't get a WP7 to play with

    because she can play with her fart apps on her iPad
    hubivedder
    Reply Vote

  • Alientating XP=alientating developers as well

    By making Windows Phone Developer Tools also not supported on XP, they have alienated all developers who're still on XP. Wonder whose loss exactly it is. Less apps for Windows Phone 7.
    xp-client
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

      @anonymuos

      How many years should XP be supported?
      Raid6
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Windows Phone 7 developers finally get the final version of Microsoft's tools

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