Microsoft wants to know what APIs are needed to build better apps

animations on livetiles! :D (not just flipping or showing single images) :D

Nice idea ... I just hope it won't drain the battery life  also ... I would like an airdrop equivalent for win8 and wp8. Wouldn't it be great? Vote it if you like  http://wpdev.uservoice.com/forums/253374-missing-platform-apis/suggestions/6091990-airdrop-equivalent

Yeah, I kinda miss the animated tiles for Xbox music and games hub with my avatar peeking through.

Personally I wouldnt like any third party app to allow access to my call details... Just my thought may b others may want this...

Android allows it but you have to agree to share that info when you install the app. So if you're very attentive you can make sure you don't have apps that can do that. Android's not a good app store for people who don't want to pay attention to permissions but who want privacy. MS's way favors the lazy user (like me) but that does prevent some apps from working if you actually want to let an app access that data.

it will be your choice...don't install the app if you don't want it to access your call details..simple

Bro most of the time ppl don't read the permissions and Microsoft as much I know currenlt only shows a warning while installing Only for location services acess to app... So either there should be permission denying fir each kind of permission or no such API. Because for me privacy is more important than knowing who called me :P and again I would say thats just me...others may have differnt taste and opinions...

Its not microsoft's mistake if you don't read the permissions. You don't like it but some people do. Thats why it will be an option, they are not forcing it on you.

They said the same on Android, but now I have about 10 updates per month, each with permissions to read and approve. it sucks! I would not want it on WP.

+1020

So that means you like to read privacy policies too....I want that this shouldn't become like privacy policies which 99% ppl dont read. It'll be a mess as Android... And I even told that its everyones own taste... Also FB app says they need location services to let you download app so you dont download if u dont want to give permissions?? There should b proper backend b4 implementing such APIs.

A facebook style permission control of installed apps. You know, so that I can uncheck certain stuff.

+920  I don't want this either... WP shouldn't become Android insecure.

+10000000

They should have done this a year ago.

Instead.. Of cribbing ... Of they shud have done in a yr before..., u shud appreciate that they have done it... Rome wasn't built in a day.. Neither ios and android were perfect at the launch...and still they aren't perfect.. Microsoft is hearing developers and users and that's great..

But Rome did do a hell of a good job conquering while building, and not one at a time. :D

Fair point. I think alot of the grief Microsoft gets (whether fair or not) comes from the fact that iOS and Android are matured and that there should be a sense of urgency on Microsoft's part.

+920

Seriously non productive.

Whatever API that Snapchat needs (IIRC something that lets them know of a screenshot being taken). Although 6snap does a decent job, I would love an official client with real-time push notifications. Also, the ability/hooks to add browsers NOT based on IE(Trident engine) - something like Firefox.   At this point, Snapchat is the messaging app of choice for most teenagers and people under 35 (they are the demographic that seems to influence what is considered a hot/in phone/mobile technology for the most part).  

This new and more direct communication Microsoft is taking up with developers and consumers alike is incredible! Keep it up, Microsoft! Loving the turnaround!

Developing for Microsoft platforms >

Hopefully they will give Rudy huyn API for video upload to 6tag

I thought 8.1 already solved this?

How about save my video too.

I thought 8.1 solved this too, but SDI many updates to 6snap, 6tin etc and still no video upload gives me doubts.

They did solve it, see MovieJax and Movie Studio for what can be done with the new APIs. Rudy just hasn't integrated them yet. He needs to split out his app first if he wants to use them, because he needs to be able to output an 8.0 app without the new functionality and an 8.1 app with it.

He said it has to be re-written for 8.1 to have uploading feature. I guess he is waiting for official 8.1 release.

No need to wait, he can release it whenever he wants and it will only be available to 8.1 users. Then he can get some good testing feedback before everyone has it. But he may not be finished yet.

More apps are coming.....

Where do I begin....
.....................
Music production❕❕❕ We need api's so that developers can leverage the audio in WP devices..
...........
Like I've said before,, just like lenses for the camera developers should be able to make apps that can take total control over audio settings.. These apps could be accessed from the XBM app, just as lenses let's us open photo apps from our cameras... Here's a few examples of what these apps could look like... Im really sick of Apple getting all the attention from music, and audio, production software companies.. MS needs to tap into this huge market❗
..............
http://tinypic.com/a/36ctf/1

I totally agree. It's not only the features- it's also cause of Apple's lit-up logo on the back of it. It looks "cool" to presenters. Plus, they think their PC will "crash." Bullcrap. Mine never did! Anyways, you don't need Apple for beatuful hardware. I have an HP Pavilion DV7 and it looks way better than a Mac. It has the light, as well as a steel exterior. But in those pictures... that's way too small. It would be hard to press things. You could mess up. This should be aimed more for Surface.

It's more of an example of the types of controls that would be possible... This certainly isn't possible with WP the way it is now.

Wow, those concepts look really good!

I really just took some sequencing, and audio processing programs from the internet, and fashioned them onto a WP device using the device shot app... We WP fans really need to start using Device Shot more often to explain what we're talking about... The reason I use tiny pic is because its just easier, faster, and more strait forward to use on the fly than OneDrive...

Right now MS is scratching their heads.."Music APIs? They can buy music from our store. What more can possibly be done with music?"

Seriously!! They need to start thinking in terms of control, and production... They did good by allowing control over video in WP8.1, and we really haven't seen anything yet, but as far as music the only options we have are native equalization, presets, and Dolby processing... Developers can finally make music apps, but those can't even integrate with XBM passes.... My Qcore 1520 is perfectly capable of running sequencing, and audio enhancing, software, so MS needs to add the many API's that'll let developers take advantage of high end WP hardware..

If this were reddit, you'd be getting gold for that brilliant comment.

LOL!

Wow.. What a leap forward.. !!!

no.

Lmao

:D

Can someone explain exactly what an API is? Im a developer and know a lot about Windows platforms, etc...but one thing I don't quite understand is an API. From what I understand its an extension to the dev tools to implement certain things into the app, SM I correct?

Basically. API means Application Programming Interface. An API for Cortana would allow apps to implement commands into her. Posted via Windows Phone Central App

An API defines an interface between code libaries.  It is the public and unchanging bit. If you are a developer, when you write code you are effectively creating mini APIs in classes between objects, but often these are in flux as you don't need to fix them as changes do not impact anyone. The APIs in .NET typically often expose core OS features that you otherwise cannot access.  How to talk to hardware - cameras, Bluetooth etc.  Other times they provide access to libraries of commonly required code.  E.g. list handling etc. This is a nice opportunity, if you've ever tried to do X from WinRT and couldn't, to give some feedback.  E.g. I used to be frustrated by the limitations of background running tasks until 8.1.  And BTLE didn't exist until 8.1.  That actually made me think of something to request.  This post was worth it after all!

To tell the truth about it, post, and subjects like this, are the most important news about WP, as far as the platform growing in functionality, and market share.. Sure the average consumer doesn't care to think about this stuff, but it's things like this that are the reason they choose one platform over another... MS should not have waited so long to make this user voice page...
..........
Nevertheless, we can see what MS's goal for future versions of the OS is... And, for years I've been saying that WP is lacking the fun stuff, the cool head turning stuff, but I seriously believe that we're going to finally get it with WP8.5, 9, or whatever the next major version is..... Although, I'm hoping that MS plans on giving developers more access in smaller GDR updates before then.... I'm sure they are.

Zack as you work more with windows-based development you'll find that a API is a great way for a software engineer to slowly kill the heart muscle of a systems administrator over a period of time. :)

lol

It's just a class library with specific functions. MSFT lock this down for security and stability reason.

ZakTheNever, you are a developer and you know a lot about Windows platform? Then how come you don't know what API means or is? Did you google it (or bing it)? Don't get me wrong dude, I am not bitching, I'm just confused :-)) P.S. Have you developed some WP8 app? Would love to check it, honestly :-)

He could be 15 or very young.. Cut him some slack.. Either that or just being facetious..

It needs WebKit. Posted via Windows Phone Central App

Webkit isn't an APi...

Yes it is. WebKit.org
WebKit could allow Kik to finally add its sticker store. I need it bad. As far as I know, it doesn't have it. I never updated it. Edit: I see what you mean. Apparently it's some project of theirs. Posted via Windows Phone Central App

Webkit is a rendering engine for web browsers, with an API for software integration. Windows Phone runs IE, which uses Trident, a different (and shall we say more strictly W3C compliant) rendering engine.   Kik could update their apps by using approved standards as theyre meant, rather than use webkit specific functions and forks of the W3C standards. The whole webkit excuse is exactly that: an excuse.

Or it could also be just good business. 90% of the smartphones out there have Webkit-capable browsers. What is MS' excuse? (and don't say standards compliance, with MSFT's history that'd be hilarious).

and don't say standards compliance, with MSFT's history that'd be hilarious The past may affect the present, but doesn't mean it defines it. Microsoft, for better or worse, needs to adhere to the standards. They tried the "popular route" once. In fact, they were the popular route. Or it could also be just good business Yeah... That sure worked out for Microsoft with Internet Explorer. That worked out well for them. /s Honestly, adhering to the standards can ensure moderate compatibility with the web no matter who is popular. Webkit will one day no longer be the popular one, and any browser using it will be the new IE6. 90% of the smartphones out there have Webkit-capable browsers. That's debatable, but even if true, a majority of smartphones are either running iOS or Android. That's just two OSes. It's not really a fair comparison. Throw in desktops and tablets, and then you got Gecko, Trident, Webkit, and Google's fork of Webkit, not to mention a number of smaller ones likely out there. In summary, using Webkit because it's popular isn't good business sense, and is not a viable long term plan. Microsoft has put alot of time, money, and research into IE, and to throw it all away to rebuild IE for Webkit would be senseless and absurd. Microsoft needs a browser that will last. Telling a company it's their fault that the browser doesn't load a page with Webkit code, rather than putting the responsibility on the developers who choose not to adhere to standards set before them, is plain stupid. Microsoft is trying their best to make their browser work, and they've done a damn good job too, but they can only do so much. It's up to the developers to use the standards rather than using browser-selective, experimental, our otherwise non-standard code when building WebPages and software.

WebKit is better than Trident, deal with it.

This conversation is no longer relevant, but I'll leave with this: Feature List & Exclusivity != Better

How irony. A lot's of people says otherwise when IE has such exclusivity. You know what is better? When developers does not need to code their website/webapp for various browsers. Less time to develop, quicker the site/app to be delivered. Less vendor-lock on client side. Higher customer satisfaction.

Exactly.

WebKit does have API. But WebKit itself is not API. It's a rendering engine which have some non-standard HTML-CSS syntax. Rather than request other people to follow a non-standard language, you should request those who lazy enough to follow standard guidelines (yes .. You should protest to Kik for their laziness).

That's what I meant to say. Thanks for the clarification, though. You see, I was just interested why the Android version of Kik does more. And it said it needed an API called WebKit. Then, I went to the website and it said rendering engine. So I thought I could use the word "WebKit" to mean API and Rendering Engine.

The "Webkit API" requires Webkit to work, and as Internet Explorer users Trident, it is unavailable on Windows Phone. Your mistake is understandable though. Kik, I feel, purposefully used improper terminology to elicit consumer upset and confusion. Honestly, Kik is using Webkit as an excuse for lazy programming, at best.

Kik being one of the most popular messaging services out there should approach Microsoft for help in building their app with the Trident Engine. But Microsoft should also think of adding WebKit support for the browsers as some websites are pretty badly optimized for Trident. So both Kik and Microsoft are at fault.

Microsoft isn't really at fault. The reason some websites don't work well with trident is due to using non-standard code that is specific to Webkit. Furthermore, since some standards are even implemented in a non-standard way ( -webkit- prefixed ), this even further causes sites that omit the original standard to have issue in non-Webkit browsers. Compound this with the popularity of chrome causing some web developers to be oblivious to the fact that not all code they may be using is standard, and you're looking at a heavily fragmented web. It would be like if I built a cross-platform app, but on each platform I used code for a feature that is unrecognizable by anything other than Android. And last I knew, in order for Microsoft to bring Webkit to Windows Phone, they would have to rewrite Internet Explorer to use Webkit, and omit Trident entirely. Developers being lazy (at worst), or oblivious (at best), should not be the fault of Microsoft, but of the Developers.

Webkit, noooooo, no.

There is no downside of giving developers the ability to use the Webkit standard.

There is no such thing as a "Webkit standard". And while there may not be a downside directly to Microsoft, there is a downside to all browers being based on WebKit, and more importantly, on web sites targeting WebKit specifically and exclusively.

Never heard anything about "webkit standard". Standard is something that has been approved by standard authority that will be implemented by any product which want to be compatible with said standard. We cannot take an implementation of certain product as standard. Those who despise IE6 because it does not adhere to standards now supporting webkit which does the same. How irony.

Breaking free of the sandbox could be a good thing, but, it could also hurt our secure environment and lead to more malicious type of apps that steal data that they do not need. That is how I feel about that. Depends on the API that they want to break free.

Microsoft could do it, but would need to only allow it for certain apps. For example, it would be great for K9 Web Protection to monitor IE and block inapp websites. Posted via Windows Phone Central App

& a final nail in the xbl coffin for wp

NO NEVER !! PLEASE don't want that! An App should never ever ever hav direct acces to the system oder can break free. Some useful APIs like the File Picker or so are welcome, but please not more. In the and it is like Android, unsave as hell ...

Do you realize that no matter what malicious app gets published, we are safe? Even if Microsoft allows breaking free of the sandbox for COMPANIES THAT REQUEST IT AND THEY TRUST, Microsoft still checks each app to see if it's malicious or not. If it's safe, they release it. On Android, though, developers can release whatever app they want, and the the users try it and flag it as malicious or not.

At BUILD they showed they were happy for corporate WinRT apps to break the sandbox but store apps to not.  This helped legacy apps access older technology. Personally I don't think it should change as the current security model is great.

I was thinking about this the other day and now I can't remember what it was. Edit: I remember. Dynarec is needed.....

This...indeed

I was thinking the same thing. It would finally allow porting better emulators to WP - but it DOES have its downsides as well: It could REALLY hinder the OS's security, because as you might already know, allowing DRC is opening the gates for some of the nastier viruses and trojans out there... So, is it really worth it? I don't think Microsoft would agree...

No no no. We just need API's for Music, Background download and few other stuff, this is totally not needed. WP is a secure platform let it stay that way. If you want Emulator, use a PC :3

I want this too... Sadly I give it a slim chance

Let us transfer multiple files via Bluetooth natively please..

Expansion of Bluetooth as a whole

Battery level for Bluetooth devices! Disappointed 8.1 did not add this

A smiling Smurf, inverted?

Yep, still cant share videos over Bluetooth.

You can do this via the FILES app in WP 8.1 just make sure Bluetooth is turned on and then share.

Thanks. But still gonna wait for the official release.

Ask for a wifi direct API's, Bluetooth is slow in transferring files.

+920 wifi direct, also, able to configure or change the ip address.. this may be a feature request that can be addresed in future, but as of now open up that configuration in form of api :)   actually my home router, sometimes hesitate dhcp

WP Notification APIs for smart watches.. Better hooks into notification toasts for download progress and running apps like GPS Deeper OS events to support rule based apps like OnX

Pull it all together with smartwatch driven events to fire rules!!!!

Woow....this.........that's what they needed......they should try this for WP too......

That's a nice step.

Microsoft should provide more core apps, we have got file manager and video editor which are great, we also need more native stuff like voice recorder (current ones stop recording when screen is off)
Microsoft can actually play with these API and release native apps.
While maintaining the security wp is known for

MS has alot of poc apps just they dont seem to make it out of testing lookup Microsoft in app social search

A native voice recorder would be amazing. The only one good enough I found is that in #1toolkit (app)

Mini recorder free works with screen off.

cortana does voice recording tell her to take a note it records it and translates it to text as well, i wish it worked with bluetooth headsets while the screen was locked tho, it would be nice to take notes while walking arround ect.

There are many voice recorders that work under the lock screen. I would love to be able to record voice calls.

Recording voice calls is illegal in some places but where it is legal, the recording cannot be shown to anyone else without both parties consent. It's a bit of a grey area really. In the UK, it is compulsary for companies to tell you they are recording the call before they talk to you, this make the recording legal so they can use it in court if they have to.

Just call the NSA for a copy, they have them all ;)

OneNote has voice recording capabilities

A way to embed legacy apps in the windows 8 store for x86 only. It would be sandboxed and available via the store.

Not sure if it changed, but I heard RT lacks MIDI. Need more music oriented stuff....

Agreed. MIDI is an issue, as is low latency audio

I use a novation launchkey 25 on my surface rt running FL Groove and im able to use it fine

Embed ASIO! Damn! Geez.

And more and more unified apps, that's what is needed.
Windows phone store has any day more apps than windows 8/RT store

I think its the other way around

No, he's right

What API are you referencing?

The alarm API is sorely lacking - the developer should have full control over the popup via a custom control. Alarm apps on WP are either crippled or forced to run in the foreground.

Windows metro apps have same restrictions

One thing that confuses me about the apps when looking at windows phone and Windows 8/rt. My surface 2 is more powerful than my 920. So why does almost every app on my surface run like crap compared to the apps on my 920? Really becomes obvious when the same app is available for both.

Its because they let in NVIDIA aswell as Qualcomm & Texas instruments(though there were never any in production tablets that used them)

Huh? I have A DV8PRO and a 920, and I think apps in windows 8 are faster and way better looking. Is this just because I have windows 8?

He's talking about an ARM tablet that runs Windows RT.  Whole different beast than an Intel one.

I know. And yet the surface 2 is right there in benchmarks with dv8pro. Weird.

Need low latency audio (

Microsoft wants to know ? I thought microsoft should teach people not know from them

My thought too

Microsoft does know... This is just a way for them to reach out to developers.

Nooo keep the sandbox in place!

Google API

Microsoft has issues with Google.

More like Google has issues with Windows Phone.

^Yep. Carlos, I meant to say. that

Yeah they're just scared that if they give us apps and such that people will switch from android to windows phone. So really they see too much potential in windows phone. That's my thought.

Yeah and that what proved people about the operating system. Microsoft wants their customers to love their products whatever device they are using. Not like google who are super scared to provide their apps to other platforms

Pretty sure Google isn't afraid of Windows Phone. The spat between MS and Google stems purely from Microsoft's Scroogled campaign. Posted via Windows Phone Central App

Google denied Microsoft access to their API's long before the Scroogled campaign. They see them selves as a direct competitor --- and Microsoft continues to keep it that way by attempting to counter every move Google makes to overtake another bit of Microsoft. From search, to cloud storage, maps, to phones, to whatever else you can think of.Google supports Apple because even though they also compete with Apple, Apple tends to remain in its own lane.

November 2012. That's what I found :D

+720

I don't know what API's are but I think they are needed to make a fully functional youtube app. So we definetly need it..

Have u tried my tube?

I haven't..but its free for today so definitely trying :D

No they aren't. Windows Phone and Windows RT developer

SQL Server Compact Edition and LINQ to SQL. Oh, and please bring the Sync Framework back from the dead, and bake it into Azure Mobile Services. That is all. ;-)

Awe-inspiring

Music! We need equalizer apps asap.

Id rather see full wmp ported that allows us to choose our souces

Gapless music playback

Allow specific apps to tap into the lock screen a la camera. I'd love to have OneNote instead of camera on my sp especially since the camera is junk on the SP1. SP3 does it with pen having it on the lock screen for quick access for older models would be nice. Or maybe for other people making quick access to other apps would be good. I can see twitter being beneficial for twitter afficiandos and maybe facebook or foursqaure.

Except we've seen where that got Android security exploits galore

Not really. Microsoft checks each app before it's released. Google allows any app to be published and then users try it and mark it as bad. And plus they are already adding a feature soon so that apps can change the swipe effect on lock screen. So instead of text fading away, it can move diagonally across the screen. Plus, it would be cool if Microsoft allowed camera wallpapers of back and front camera, which is like the camera app as your wallpaper. So you go to home screen and your tiles are displaying what is on your camera real-time. It could be for lock screen, too. And animated wallpaper, too. That would be cool. And even custom shortcuts to camera and stuff without going to notification center or holding cam button.

Well that could lead to security issues lol. But would be cool. Maybe it would only be able to accessed a select amount of things, like Twitter, only allowed to view tweets, not edit your account, delete tweets, or anything. Maybe have it set so you need to enter a 4 number code for the ability to send a tweet or something. (Microsoft would be the one choosing what's allowed or not.)

I see most people paying have no idea what defines a feature and what defines an API. *sigh*

My brain hurts reading these comments lol

1. Probably because any number of us are not developers.
2. People are attached to WP and jump at the possibility of having the chance to have feedback even if they are technically off topic. My guess as a nOOb is that most of these later requests are features....

well..people provide wanted features, so the devs can ask about what api s would be needed to implement those! i think all devs should read this, start thinking and contact microsoft! (besides, posting an api reqeust here wont help you anything ;) )

We don't care. Why should we? We know what we want our apps to do. Is that not enough?

Cube credit card reader needs access to the headphone jack.

No they just need to get with the time usb otg(but that would mean apple would have to change)

It's possible without a new API.

Isn't that the point of this post?

I've read somewhere that someone said an API for pull to refresh feeds is needed. But I can't remember where I read them

Is present, in the current FB beta app and 'The Verge' app to name a few.

There are gesture toolkits which could be used to implement this. It doesn't even need a massive amount of work tbh.

Bluetooth Equalizer. I'm so tired of listening to bland music on my Bluetooth headphones. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phone apps (Rap Dialer, Trucaller) definitely need some of those APIs released (missed calls, access to..., caller ID)

I'll probably be busy with this all night. Here's hoping they actually pay attention.

Don't count on them doing anything with it soon. Eg. Zune player.

All I want is my apps to refresh at a more reliable rate. Specifically I want 6snap to update when I get a new snap chat, not every thirty mins.

+925/s4

Okay no. 6Snap has to pull to get notifications and can't use push because they don't own Snapchat servers. Your battery would drain in less than 30 minutes.

Good guy Microsoft

Faster micro SD card interface, improved write/read speed.

Some apps...like flashlight and sound recorder....muat be able to run under lock screen and even when thae app is in background.....it is much much much needed....and WhatsApp should be able to access music hub.....

Some apps like flashlight and sound recorder must be able to run under lock screen and even when the app is in background... It is much more needed and WhatsApp should be allowed to access music hub

Well WhatsApp can use the file manager API in WP 8.1 and access the music and videos in the phone and SD card. So its for WhatsApp to act now.

Mini recorder free runs under locked screen.

There's already a flashlight. In your camera, in the "Video" area (Where you records videos instead of take pictures), and there is a fl flashlight icon, that's only on Windows phone, don't remember if theres something like that for the Camera app on Windows 8.1, but a dedicated flashlight stop would be nice.

The same bluetooth profiles as the iPhone.  There are lots of accessories like heart rate monitors, activity trackers, keyboards, and things like that that could be used on Windows phones if they would pair with them.  Apps could then be developed or ported that make use of those and we wouldnt have to read "download now from iTunes or Google Play" for those peripherals without mention of Windows Phone.  Bluetooth headsets are not the only thing that would be used by windows phone users.

No, iOS BT stack is shit. Get Android's :)

I'm not a developer, but it seems like there are so many apps in the iOS realm that support a number of appliances.  For example, the apps that allow you to connect guitars, etc., to it and process them through amp kits. It seems like there is a huge untapped area of app types that iOS exploits like crazy and we have virtually nothing.

Background downloading for third party apps, eg Torrex.

I heard rumors about the upcoming Cisco VPN client to connect to enterprise networks but have yet to see it.  Once that happens then development of enterprise apps that take advantage of existing web apis will become popular. The enterprise solutions for other phones are really lame.

APIs for integrating into carrier services like voice mail so we can write competitive apps instead of having to rely on whatever the carrier gives us.

That's a carrier issue, not Windows Phone

camera object discernment or even object recognition API to make augmented reality apps useful rather than just a novelty.

How about an API that would allow me to develop my own soft keyboard app that users could use in any app?

+925/s4

The ability to actually delete "Other" files on my phone soI dont always get those messages telling me I need to clear some space.  Okay, that isn't really an API but I just felt like ranting a little

Theoretically that could be an API, lol

And API for phone calls (for example, to know how long is the call), and an API for messaging, including SMS.

So we can develop remote calling and sms on the desktop via wp8.1, like ios8 and the new osx

In Windows 8/RT -- the ability for developers to have access to the battery information! Why must I tap on a small battery icon on the desktop to see my battery percentage? Why must I somehow get my fat finger on that small battery icon to access the power settings? WHY MICROSOFT? WHY?????

An API already exists... hence the million battery apps.

Why can't we send audio(mp3) through WhatsApp? Is it due to an API restriction? If it is we do need that API.
Also needed is an API to make a good fully functional youtube app.

We can now download files app from the windows store and then edit the music file to mp4 format and,then u can send songs on watsapp. On the other hand Microsoft has made this possible for us to send songs on watsapp. Fb Inc I don't think so they care about anyone except ios. They are really pathetic and I'm waiting for the world to switch from watsapp to other better msg app all together

Oh this sounds good..a clever trick.
Thanks for the tip. Will try it.
WhatsApp has recently shown signs of improvement so let's hope this happens.
Btw does iOS have an option to send mp3?
It is very difficult to switch from WhatsApp as all my friends are using it.

No, just them not implementing.

Let us scrobble streaming songs!

Not sure if this is even an API isssue but my pioneer car stereo cannot read my phone via USB. I'd love to be able to play music through the USB wire and not just AUX

Bluetooth 4.0 LE

That's a hardware issue

Microsoft said this API will be made public when WP8.1 hits full release.  So we're waiting for Cyan etc.

Background sockets. It's difficult if not impossible to modify servers (SIP, XMPP) to work with Microsoft's notification architecture. Adding this will put Windows phone on par with Android and IOS allowing for VoIP and chat applications. Also would be awesome if Windows 8 modern apps had full .NET socket support instead of migrating code to the Windows.Networking classes.

There should be a proper application for locking apps.....or photo or video hub

I wish they would allow of to choose default apps. Ex, When I open a video I would like to default to my favorite player "MoliPlayer" and when I click on a YouTube link in the browser it sends me to my preferred player "MyTube".

+1020

App locking API pls

Oh hell no, we don't want teachers and parents screwing up our Windows Phones. One of the reasons i bought WP is because nothing can be forced locked.

+920

Great!!! Microsoft .... Although this should have been done earlier... Anyways good...will submit my comments too

A better place to let Microsoft know which APIs we want is the dev forum. http://wpdev.uservoice.com/forums/110705-dev-platform    

The API request platform is half the story. We the users have our complaints too. Microsoft needs both sides. Eg. Why can't anyone apart from Microsoft make a good alarm? In windows 8, custom mp3 alarm sounds is a pipe dream why?

Large file transfer by wifi in seconds.

Background downloading.

API for native video calling or what it called, video calling without an app.
Symbian even could use it.

Microsoft should allow to build a browser with a different engine.

UC Browser already does for its speed mode.

Internet explorer should allow font changing without needing to zoom and distort the page. The font option in SETTINGS is at best quirky.

Take a look at what APIs are missing but available on android/ios - implement - done.

Its not dat easy!

It's a start.

Faster app startup for low memory devices.

Not API, but they are working on this.  Their own apps (Bing News) etc. should represent their faster loading apps.

Let me organize how my apps are categorized, like on a Windows 8.1 PC:
ie. Date Installed, Category, or the dreaded Alphabetically.

yeah android, partly alpha, partly date install! woehoe find your app back in 5sec! :D ...not :G

This is a consumer feature, not an API

3g lock settings/wcdma only mode

My pet pevee.

+1520

This is a consumer feature, not an API

Microsoft is working hard and working hard for us! Respect!

Less crashing, certainly for core apps! And better vertical orientation when switching between apps.

That is not an API

I was very disappainted, when I realized, that on WP 8.1 XAML apps no longer support WCF. We really need this back! 

Do you mean SOAP based WCF? That is really a bad idea for mobile devices. Use WCF REST or Web API or even azure mobile services.

Yes, I mean SOAP. "That is really a bad idea for mobile devices": That may be or may not be. But it should be the programmers choice. It was there in WP8, it is there in WP8.1 Silverlight and I think it shoud be there in WP8.1 XAML.

I don't know whether local database is considered as API. But I need database encryption support which was available for free when they support it on SqlCE. Most of indie devs does not have the luxury to fork their cash to acquire 3rd party sqlite encryption like sqlcipher. This is the only reason for our team not supporting Windows platform just yet.

I need to be able to programmatically set current time after fetching it from internet. Because after reset my GSM provider does not provide current time.

+1020 I have the same issue too. I combed the whole store but could not find an app for that

Hope this request both affects both wp

Easy, a comprehensible package for the onenote ink-to-text recognition api and library, the native inkpad and the api and library of windows journal. If those were avaialabe and combinable that would be awesome.

The Me Tile and social hub.

+925

I've already posted 2 suggestions: Silverlight framework for Windows Store applications (I personally find Silverlight easier to grasp than Windows Runtime), and a deep search / Cortana API for advanced search, voice, and personal assistant integration.

All I care about is that today is June 24 and I'm supposed to have windows phone 8.1 final release. Why am I still running beta

This is a consumer feature, not an API

Xna

First of all, this is the smartest move done since WP7, that i know off.   Second, wouldn't it be easier if they took a look at android apps, and memic the APIs available/needed to get the Apps? A very easy example..... TrueCaller. if there is only one person in microsoft that would go the extra mile, and be a top performer, he would go snag all that information in a report.

Every API available on WP should be available for Windows.

Well I need the following API's, so that I can complete my Apps.
Background Downloading, Music API's, Caller ID API's

Background downloading and music APIs already exist.
No caller id API, though.

No they actually don't, no Equalizer API, no API to download stuff even when app is closed.

Attaching PDF files in hotmail like pics

This is a consumer feature, not an API

I just ❤ this new Microsoft.

I love Satya Nadella

I don't understand this new Microsoft. The new Nokia X2 packs the features of Lumia 720 or even 820 at the price of Lumia 520.
They have a lot of explaining to do.

Give API to allow developers use custom keyboard layouts with WordFlow!

Messaging API.
Allow 3rd party apps into the messaging hub, so I can get all my chat in the same place.

good

API for application locking, incoming caller id for truecaller, integration of system UI with 3rd party apps,so that 3rd party apps can Be made default apps...

App locker and caller id are required mostly.

API to run app under Lockscreen or in background mode,so that we can download files through ucweb even on 2g network in background

+925

APIs for dynamic start backgrounds in windows and windows phone.
Also I'm not sure if it exists or not, lockscreen api for windows too

I'm not sure I got this, hope you mean something like live background wallpapers, themes and etc? Maybe it's already there, not sure!

i mean to say for an app that periodically changes the start background. and for windows currently only microsoft provides the animated wallpapers(select few) for start backgounds and i want more from 3rd party applications There are no apis for these 2

Microsoft needs to open up the system and just let developers go wild. Then review the app make the final approval process

The system being secured and applications being sandboxed actually help keep your content safe and from accidents happening.

Need an API that will allow for the application to be able to list information about all detected wireless networks in a analizer style app.

Tell them on the web page and post link here to vote on. Nice idea.

+10 for true caller

Needs custom keyboard designer so we could build keyboards of ask sorts
We also need custom lock APIs so we could make any kind locks: Pin lock (which we already have), password lock (like in iPhone), face recognition, Android 9 dot lock (what's that called anyways?)

The sad reality is Microsoft is doing a hell of a great job into getting all tools into the developers hands, but we r still seeing no interest from some developers to invest in this ever growing ecosystem....I hope their opinions will change with time because honestly no one gives as much attention to developers as Microsoft.... with Build, Channel9 and other resources freely available...and direct communication with the community and listening and adapting with them....that is what will keep them truly ahead of the pack...

This is more a developer attitude problem that I see way too often (particularly with the bigger app publishers).

Me and my team have developed many WP apps but when there is no incentive (Payouts) then devs will not make apps. It's just not worth the time Drop by the official forums to see the outrage of the Devs
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?category=adsinapps

I want them improve the audio quality. Beats headphones sound a lot better on iPhone than on windows phone. Why that?

Cos Windows Phones generally have a more natural frequency response. The iPhone will deliberately bloat the bass.

You have an EQ... also check your files are the same quality... e.g. free Nokia Mix and Pandora are low quality audio streams (because free, paid are better).

This is a consumer feature, not an API

Api for background downloading,fast switching of apps

API for the Message Hub, so WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram and all that stuff can be included and no special app needed to be stated, since you still communicate with the same people...

+1520

woehoe this one!

Xbox APIs for games (much like Google Play Games on Android and Apple Game Center on iOS).

I think there already are XBOX Games APIs. There are a number of third party games that integrate with XBOX Live, with achievements and your avatar and such.

I wonder if this would help a company like Pleco bring their awesome Chinese English dictionary to WP?

What about to allow NFC to trigger when the screen is locked? So I can use my lovely nfcring to unlock the phone ;)

i do think that they should refine the Pivot Control provided to the third-parties

Not really an API but WP needs MKV and AVI playback support.

I'm not sure if this is an API issue, need to be able to attach files to email. You can share files to emails but can only attach photos from inside the email. It's annoying especially when responding to an email and you want to keep it in the thread.

Seriously need this.

If they replaced the current file picker with the files app, the problem should disappear.

I think support for other browsers and third-party keyboards would be awesome. Posted via Windows Phone Central App

How about they release Silverlight for the RT platform? That would open up Lovefilm and SkyGo for a start.

API that allows 3rd party apps to send message and do calls without the user confirmation. It will be great if Microsoft allows that.

We need call recording API. If android can have it we should have it as well. Stop paying attantion to iPhone not having it or legal issues that basically not exist since it's user's responsibility to obey the law. CALL RECORDING API please!

Actually, I really don't want that.  People should NOT record my calls!

We need ubdate numberbook

Please keep apps sanboxed. We don't want this to become Android 2.0

Don't exactly know whether this is meant for Windows or WP, but I think the current social 'integration' from the people hub should be expanded/changed. The hubs should very much stay intact as they were before, but they should release API's for apps to directly push information to those hubs. So for instance, WhatsApp could push their messages to the right contact in the Messaging Hub. So in essence you would allow such apps to go run in 'server' mode for the user (by selecting that option/giving permission). Enough options for apps to then give additional functionality in the app itself (I.e. Start the app by double tapping the message and deep link you to the correct user&message page there)

The only thing I care about is to see the improvements of camera firmware/algorithm

An api for access battery level

Gimme me something to prepare a free video player just like mkv ....

PRISM for windows 8.1 and windows phone 8.1.

SignalR for the micro framework. Would make home automation projects and real time apps that utilize data from a netduiono or arduino much easier to develop.

Open up the ability for the devs to deal with our video library. You obviously aren't going to fix Xbox Video and it is worthless for our own Movie and TV library. Many apps do this fine on Windows 8/rt, but talking to developers, they say it is near impossible for them to do the same thing on Windows phone because you cripple the ability to access our own locally stored video library.

There's already know folders in 8.1. You can read write, and for all intents and purposes, effectively manage files in the video library.

They should replace the current file picker with the files app. It should solve a lot of problems

We need the API for write access to video library and add our app to sharing apps panel so that we can share items to our app from any social network.

There's already know folders in 8.1. You can read write, and for all intents and purposes, effectively manage files in the video library And the Social Extensibility framework allows sharing from your app.

Why don't we have functional, reliable third party alarm/stop watch apps? Even on windows 8.1 this problem exists. Is it an API issue?

This is really good that Microsoft is doing this. Off the top of my head I would say:   -USB on the go API 
This will make it so much more convenient to transfer files between phone and computer. Especially for those who carry a usb stick with them on their keys   -API to allow an app to be the default player of certain file types/urls
Right now we have some great Youtube apps on our platform, but the one thing we cant do (in a fluid manner) is make them open up whenever we click on a youtube link. there are work arounds, but i don't think they're very elegant. This is the only feature I admire from other platforms   -FM transmitter API
Yes, I know we can use bluetooth or cables to connect to some car audio systems, but not all car systems support this. Not only that, having this feature allows you to connect to any kind of portable stereo/stereo system that has a radio, which is a feature most of them have. If i'm not mistaken, all windows phone 8 handsets already have the hardware to support FM transmitting   -MHL API
Yes, miracast is cool, but the majority of windows phones don't support it. Also, Miracast can be a bit laggy at times. If I'm not mistaken again, all windows phone 8 handsets have the hardware to support MHL

App sharing. It's impossible to download an app once and share with friends. Not every one lives in a country with fast cheap internet.

OS updates - why don't they always show file size of updates? How can I decide whether to use Wi-Fi or mobile data? It feels like signing a blank contract.

This is a consumer feature, not an API

There are aspects of a phone that cannot be changed while driving due to safety that could be made available to driving apps such as bluetooth volume adjustment.  List, send, read sms from an app. With this I could have a background app that can promote the sms experience of my phone to my desktop machine.

WiFi API would be great. We need more info about available WiFi Routers/Devices, connect to them, etc.

I can't understand how to discover the API .

I don't use usb i use OneDrive everywhere i go. Even my all friends. I just told them.

NFC open it up so we can get apps that can write tags to control functions on our phones, like Android.

The only API they should fix is Pubcenter. The Developers are so demotivated to build apps due to crappy payouts

I'm guessing this is the reason there are no apps available that allow the management of photos and videos (i.e. being able to create new albums, move photos/videos between albums, re-name, sort, etc.  This is a HUGE drawback for me as a photographer using the 1020.  I want the WP version of QuickPic for Android!

While not specific to the Windows Phone platform, I'd love to see Bing create a rich set of content APIs (like finance) to allow devs to hook in their apps. Could be free and/or paid tiers, but I think something like that would be very helpful for a variety of platforms.

After reading through this a lot of stuff people want are handled by the system and MS has said they are NOT giving access to system functions.  If they did they'd find themselves right back to the same situation with the desktop and users needing virus scanners and such.  It's a fine line between full access and guarded access but I think this line needs to be found. Back in 2004 I had a Nokia express 2500 and my fave app was a timer that would turn my volume down during work hours and back up when I was off.  10 years later I can't do this with my "modern" smart phone.  Why? because the volume control is a system function...and NOBODY get's access to that.

How about fixing gaps in existing APIs. For instance the other day I found out that ContactPicker doesn't return contact's thumbnail on WP 8.1. Apparently the only supported fields are phone, email and address. Even though the said API works fine on Windows. 8.1. This is a typical Microsoft way, release something half implemented, and keep doing it. Its awesome, that they are moving forward, but doesn't surprise me that developing apps is a struggle.

-API to allow notification light for missed calls, messages, emails, etc. (Also to be able to change the color of the light and to have a separate color notification light for individual contacts would be nice as well!)

I forgot... -API to allow multi window support for multitasking... -API for better stylus support like on the Surface pro. -Don't know if this exists or not, but an API to support Live Wallpaper on the Lock Screen or Start Screen background. -Also, please do a touch Office for Windows Phone! I don't know why alot of ppl don't mention this, but Office for WP is HORRIBLE! It needs to have pretty much the same controls as regular office (especially in Word and Powerpoint.)  

More APIs are needed to make timers more accurate.

easy. The entire .net framework. any questions?

Just give me XNA back and I will be happy...

Well I guess we need api's that'll allow 3rd party keyboards like the SwiftKey, Api for true caller's caller I'd and we need chat heads for fb messenger badly! Posted via the WPC App for Android!

MIDI, and WiFi BSSIDs with signal strengths

File/Folder management, like windows.   i would like to have File(somefile) kind of file management/ folder management as we do native in windows. a wrapper would definitly be sufficient. i feel wp8. storage management is completly a new. not complex though, this may one of the features that may attract many developers around the world. 

How about good documentation on how to implement the existing ones. Its almost impossible to find out how to work with some of them. MSDN its good but most of the time its just to general. When they release something the should really provide the developer good information on how to apply them.... Ive been searching for ages for a good article/example/code on push notifications...    

we need the looping selector to be reopened from only used in date and time to open for everything, it makes all app much more user friendly

Here are a few things for company hub apps: Shared storage for comapny hub apps with same publisher ID
  IPC mechanism for comapny hub apps with same publisher ID (so apps can communicate with other company hub apps with same pub ID)
  Also, please please fix the API's so they just work in Debug mode on an emulator and dev unlocked device. Now the apps must be signed and deployed for the APIs to work.
  Allow company hub apps to enumarate all apps on device with same publisher ID but also apps  installed from public Microsoft store. Also, adding support for Entity Framework would be awesome. I would love to be able to use EF with a local SQL express database and then have a sync framework that would sync to cloud SQL DB!! This would be powerful. Yes, it can be done now with Sqlite etc but to be able to leverage EF and all the tools available there would be great. Thanks for listening Microsoft!!

Allow alarm apps to launch other apps like Pandora and to play songs from your library. Allow If This Then That automation, so you could have a utility that would say, every time I get to work, turn off cellular data. But the owner of the phone needs to stay in control of what apps can do what.

Proper access to the lockscreen API from NFC.  I'd like to be able to set "trusted" NFC blobs that can unlock your phone and perform a series of operations for example, a tap on the NFC dot over my front door means switch of wireless, have Cortana (or other app) turn off all the lights in the house, alert me if any doors are unlocked... I think this needs doing but currently you have to physically unlock your phone before NFC can trigger any action, whether the transmitter is trusted or not.  

Incomming caller ID, so the true caller application can work in full way.

Im looking for an API to have cortana read text. It should be multilanguage. Pretty much like what they already have in the bing translator.