WPUG wrap up with Windows Phone Developer Day on the horizon

Attending developers prepping for presentation

Last week, Wednesday 18th to be exact, we headed to the Windows Phone User Group meetup in London. The Shooting Star was the venue of the day's presentations and talks about Windows, Windows Phone, apps and other miscellaneous topics. It's a perfect chance for developers to pitch ideas, make contacts, receive help and advice, and meet us folk from Windows Phone Central.

The reason we pop along is simple - to help you (the developing community) receive as much exposure to our readership and beyond as possible. Without developers, apps and games we wouldn't have the same complete Windows Phone experience we have today, so it's important we provide developers with the opportunities to drive more traffic their way. From reviews to update coverage, Windows Phone Central has the means to help developers kick-start promotion and marketing.

The results have been positive across the board with developers noting their success after we've covered the release of their app(s). It's a positive feeling for us to receive such feedback, and that the work we do does indeed make a difference. As a bonus for our readers, new apps and games are revealed which they may not have discovered otherwise.

So from the WPUG event we saw the ZX Spectrum emulator MetroSpec, which has almost hit beta, demoed with a full hands-on experience of what's included. We had BBC Radio Player Pro from Igneous Software (the brains behind the BBC Podcast Lounge and radio apps). This app focuses on bringing the last seven days worth of radio programmes to the hands of Windows Phone owners.

As well as the two major presentations above, there were a number of familiar faces at the event, including David Hamilton of Pepper and James Mundy of MendZapp - the team who brought us the likes of YuleTile (a charity Christmas themed app) and Travelnapp. We'll be covering their latest app on Windows Phone Central within the next few days, so be sure to keep an eye out.

WPDD on Saturday July 28th

As mentioned above, we have an upcoming developer event in Bournemouth on July 28th - Windows Phone Developer Day. We'll be covering the event to see what this new developer day brings. The event is being organised by Scott Lovegroove and Dan Thomas, both are platform developers. The seaside-based event is set to hold discussion surrounding Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and recent ongoings from Redmond in general. A 'Geek Dinner' is planned for the evening, but before we're all relaxing with food and a constant flow of pints, there are developer presentations, app insights, demonstrations and we'll even have a few words to say on Windows Phone development and giving your apps a little exposure.

If you're heading on down to Bournemouth this coming Saturday, be sure to show your face and say hello. For more information on WPDD, be sure to check the website.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.