Learn how to make your own Windows 10 apps from the developer of SongArc

By John Callaham
published

If you have wanted to learn how to make a fully featured universal Windows 10 app, a new online course from Pluralsight might offer that opportunity. The course, "Introduction to Universal Windows Platform Development with XAML", is now available to check out.

The course is being lead by András Velvárt, who has written popular Windows apps such as SongArc and the SurfCube 3D Browser. Here's a quick description:

"With an expected one-billion devices running the OS in a few years, Windows 10 is a great opportunity for Microsoft developers. For the first time in history, Microsoft is providing a unified OS and App Store and a universal development platform for the whole range of devices: traditional desktop computers, phones, tablets, huge touch-screen displays, Xbox, Internet of Things devices, and even Hololens. This development platform is the Universal Windows Platform, and this course will get you up to speed on how to create an app targeting the UWP with XAML, the same powerful technology Windows 10's start menu and the new Office apps are built upon."

The course has a free trial version, or you can pay $29 a month or $299 a year to check the full version, along with 4,500 other online courses.

Source: Pluralsight (opens in new tab)

John Callaham
John Callaham
26 Comments
  • There is already quite a lengthy course on Microsoft Virtual Academy, which is by none other than Bob Tabor. IMO, he is one of the best. And to top it, it is free.
  • Cool
  • Bob Tabor is an excellent teacher! I'll have to check this guy out and see how he stacks up.
  • Yes he is. Many years ago I had tried C# series. It was fun. He explains almost everything. Very good for beginners and new comers to Microsoft platform.
  • Bob is an excellent teacher indeed! However, his XAML course is about Windows Store apps, which means Windows 8 and 8.1 - mine is about Windows 10 and the Universal Windows Platform. Our approach is also very different (naturally) - I am showing how a real world application is created from scratch, spending time on the most important building blocks of XAML development. Bob is going through platform features mostly one by one.  In general, he gives you more in-depth information, while I aim to get you up to speed to build your first app while sharing as much of my real world experience as I could fit into the 5+ hours. Of course, it is up to you which approach (and teacher) you prefer. Since there's a free 10 day trial for the all-you-can-eat Pluralsight subscription (think of it as Netflix for tech courses), you've got nothing to lose!
  • No, the one I'm talking about is of the Windows 10 and Universal Windows Platform. I agree, he takes everything slow and very detailed. And Andras I have a Pluralsight Plus subscription and I'm definitely going to try your course as I loved the apps made by you and excited what you have in store for us. :)
  • You are incorrect. The most recent course that Bob Tabor has on MSVA is all about UWP. He does have an older Windows 8/8.1 from a while ago.
  • You are right, I missed this one somehow.
  • It happens, it's not like you can read the entire internet.
  • https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/windows-10-development-for-absolute-beginners-14541
  • I second this. Everyone should check out that course first. Especially since it's FREE
  • I watch all Bob Tabor tutorials just to see if it can pick up a few tips, I especially like the UWP series format where he does one topic in less then half hour sessions, but you have to admit it is as advertised, very beginner.
  • Yes he is very beginner friendly, and he discloses that in the first episodes of his courses. I really enjoy his methods and just how he talks. I don't know his background, but he reminds me of a professor I know that teaches in AZ. I could listen for hours just because he explains everything so well and in just that right voice.
  • Is MS not offering video tutorial on channel 9?
  • Yes they do, but fortunately we have a choice. While I like the Windows 10 series from Bob Tabor I will check this out as well. Different people teach things in different ways and you never know which way will stick better with you.
  • I'd like to know if anybody knows how to use new Bluetooth API which lets to sync notifications with the Bluetooth devices like Mi Band of Xiaomi.
  • Ask Microsoft, they give access to notifications API for developers. BTW, Mi Band has no public API available, so it's kinda hard to get it to full use.
  • Microsoft means who exactly? Currently the supported features on Windows Mobile are step counter, sleep monitoring, pulsometer (for 1s), alarms. The upcoming features are possibly sleep analyzer, real time step counter, firmware updater. The most missing feature is notification sync, probably available with the API I mentioned, but nobody saw any documentation so far.
  • Tabor is the standard. And is a gentleman, to boot.  All you need is "time", and Tabor will not fail you. Havin(g said that, I am not in any way dissing this alternative method)
  • Have to love Bob. He is great. MS does have a redesigned site just for learning and training which are always up to date. Microsoft Virtual Academy. Love it! love it! love it. You want to lean about new skills learn from the source and not worry about 3 parties teaching you. The passion to teach and the tech is there. Everyone should give it a try. Even making games is in the mix also that will work on phone, Xbox and computer...
  • If you sign up for a free Microsoft Visual Studio Dev Essentials account, you can get 6 months of Pluralsight for free.  
  • The 6 month membership is only for a limited time, but you'd still get 3 months if you sign up later. I've been using it for a little while now and some of them of the videos are great and really informative. I recommend anyone interested to sign up for the Visual Studio Dev Essentials plan. You can get to it here: https://www.visualstudio.com/products/visual-studio-dev-essentials-vs.aspx
  • I am need is a way to learn (fast track) how to do MVVM with SQLite.
    A proper CRUD example.
    Anyone have any idea where I can find that?
    I've found good MVVM examples and good SQLite examples, but nothing showing real world Universal Window Platform tied into SQLite.
  • My app use SQLite. I don't claim to be an expert but I may be able to give a few tips from my experience.
  • Yo bruh.  There's a typo in "Ty it for free".
  • nice. Going to try this.