This has been a pretty eventful week, with some great resources for developers popping up here and there. Firstly, the Mango beta is now available for registered developers, then again if you're not aware of this news, where have you been for the past week? Not only that, but one day after release two ways to get Mango on your non-developer-unlocked device (opens in new tab) surfaced.
The WPCentral forums have expanded (opens in new tab) to accommodate discussions surrounding Microsoft services including SkyDrive, Xbox Live and more. Staying on WPcentral for a moment longer, we've published podcast episode 115 (opens in new tab)! Oh yeah, we're back into the swing of things! Also, we have interviewed the good folks at IQ (opens in new tab) this week who develop the official Pikchur app.
IM+ has been in the discussion box for being delayed and over-priced but at least the latter has been addressed as it's had a price drop to $4.99, but has now angered users who've already purchased the app for the full price. Facebook gets updated to version 2.0 and now features push notifications! With the recent addition of official apps, the Windows Phone Marketplace has passed 25,000 apps (opens in new tab)!
Gaming on Microsoft products (namely Windows and Xbox) is merging together over at Xbox.com, soon you'll be able to purchase Games for Windows and Xbox titles all under one roof. Twin Blades is set to return on July 6th but everything seems slightly greener, though the fun remains high! Angry Birds is also here, no need to sulk to Android and iOS users over this title any more.
The Dell Venue Pro on T-Mobile is set to finally receive a firmware update next month (opens in new tab). Did we say finally? We run through the easy process in importing contacts from Outlook to your WP7 handset via your Live ID, while Orange UK kicks off the Orange Selects Marketplace launch with giving away apps for free (opens in new tab) to customers (one for each day of July - 31 in total).
Nokia has stated that any apps developed by them for their devices will not be confined to their handsets only and will be released to other brands. SiriusXM stream comes back online and the Sat Rad Player app returns to the Marketplace. Have you ever noticed the different shapes used on smartphone platforms (opens in new tab)?
On the hardware front, Compal is said to make Acer and Nokia handsets (opens in new tab). Front facing camera is still a possibility in Mango, so we can hopefully expect some video conferencing support in WP7 from OEMs this fall. HTC Eternity is revealed (opens in new tab) as well its specifications which feature a front facing camera, just to confirm the above news.
Let's take a small break and have a slice of WP7 cake (opens in new tab).
Developers! Did you think the WP7 sweepstakes were finished? Think again, although free advertising isn't on the prize list any longer, free devices are up for grabs (opens in new tab). Still deciding whether or not to go with requiring users to purchase your app or release it for free and rely on advertising revenue? Check out this documentation on setting up advertising in your app for some pointers.
Microsoft addressed some issues (opens in new tab) people have been experiencing while attempting to update to the Mango beta. In short, Focus 1.4s are still not able to be updated - fix coming mid-July hopefully. They have also released a developer Marketplace survey (opens in new tab), good signs that they're still listening to constant streams of feedback.
Head on past the break for the run through.
Highlights
- Mango available for Developers
- One day later: Two ways to put Mango on your non-dev phone (opens in new tab)
- Microsoft Extras hit the WPCentral forums (opens in new tab)
- WPCentral Podcast Episode 115 (opens in new tab)
- IM+ drops in price to $4.99
- Developer Interview: IQ, makers of Pikchur (opens in new tab)
- Facebook for Windows Phone hits v2.0, gets push notifications!
- WP7 Marketplace hits 25,000 apps (opens in new tab)
Gaming
- Games for Windows moving to Xbox.com
- Twin Blades returns on July 6, slightly greener but just as fun
- Angry Birds for Windows Phone is now Live!
Software
- T-Mo Dell Venue Pro to finally get firmware update next month [Updated] (opens in new tab)
- Import contacts from Outlook to WP7 [How To]
- "Orange Selects" kicks off with free apps (opens in new tab)
- Smartphone OS shapes (opens in new tab)
- SiriusXM stream back online, Sat Rad Player returns
- Nokia WP7 Apps: Not confined to Nokia
Hardware
- Compal to manufacture WP7 phones (opens in new tab)
- Front facing cameras still a possibility with Mango [Updated]
- Image and specs of HTC Eternity revealed? (opens in new tab)
Fun
- WP7 style Birthday cake (opens in new tab)
Developers
- Thought the sweepstakes were finished? Think again Developers! (opens in new tab)
- Make money with Microsoft Ad Control [Developers]
- Microsoft responds to some Mango update issues [Developers] (opens in new tab)
- WP7 Marketplace Developer satisfaction survey (opens in new tab)
- Developers using Mango under NDA? Yes, kind of. [Updated]
