I have another couple screencasts on the way (will be covering SQL Server Mobile and RDA), but in the meantime, here’s a pretty cool post on message queuing for devices using WM 5.0:

http://blogs.msdn.com/marcpe/archive/2006/02/01/522112.aspx

It’s a nice, clean, simple example. I tend to prefer ‘em this way – I just want to see how the API works.

Large scale use, confusion, and screw-ups are all implementation details that come much later :)

I was just reading Mike’s blog, and I saw this in one of his posts:

Mental Note: Installing the CF 2.0 framework CAB file caused a sort of “low memory” error. This device, it appears, has a memory deficiency. Even after closing all open applications, the available application memory was less than when all the applications were open. Odd. Soft reboot, continue, investigate later.

I’ve run into this problem a couple times. It isn’t actually happening because the device doesn’t have enough memory, but because there isn’t enough memory to install the .NET CF. The cab file has to be copied over and remain on the device as the framework is installed. That puts some hefty requirements on memory, but only during install. If you can make it past that point, you’ll be fine.

While Mike managed to get it installed, the number one thing I can recommend that you do if you run into this is simply to clear your Internet Explorer cache.

I did this the other day when I didn’t have enough room on a device for the installation of the SQL Server Mobile bits. It freed quite a few megs, and I was able to finish the install without a problem.

You can also try deleting some of your pr0n, but only as a last resort :)

The chatter

Following on the heels of last week’s screencast, this is part two of my “Windows Mobile Stuff and Things” talk.

If you didn’t see the last one, then don’t worry. You don’t need to watch these in order (if, however, you’d like to see the last one, then please be my guest).

Also, the sound in past episodes has been lame. This time, I think I’ve found the right balance between file size and audio quality. If you didn’t like the sound in previous screencasts, then you ought to be pleased.

What you can expect to learn from this episode

• How to use the Pocket Outlook Object Model (POOM)
• How to use the telephony bits to place an outgoing call (it’d be a little difficult to place incoming calls, so that functionality isn’t covered :) )
• How to send a text message using data data yanked out of Pocket Outlook

Episode links

People have expressed concerns about these videos being exe’s, but I still don’t see a good way around the problem. The reason they’re delivered in this format is that they use a special codec (from these guys) so that I can deliver high quality video in an extremely small file. The exe is also the video player – just double-click and watch.

If you’re uncomfortable with downloading an exe from the net and running it, then just scan the sucker up and down. You won’t hurt my feelings.

Keep in mind that I’m not just some weird guy. I work for Microsoft, I did almost fifty episodes of .NET Rocks, and I’ve been blogging for years. If you’d like to do a background check, then there’s plenty of info out there for you to do it :)

• The screencast – 48MB .exe (just run it to watch)
• The source code

What’s next

I haven’t decided yet. There are so many things that I want to talk about – whatever the subject is, though, it’ll be up soon.

When you’re done listening

Head over to the forum to post any questions or comments.

The chatter

I gave a Windows Mobile 5.0 presentation at the Southern California Code Camp last Saturday, and some people were asking if the presentation would be available online.

It wasn’t at the time, but I decided to goferit.

This isn’t exactly the same material, however. I used a PocketPC for the Code Camp talk, but I’m using a SmartPhone here. I’ve also changed some material, and I added a new section.

The talk is now in two parts, of which this is the first.

What you can expect to learn from this episode

• How to get yourself set up for WM 5.0 development (where to download SDKs, etc…)
• How to use the notification API (to get all sorts of information about the device)
• How to use the camera API
• How to use the message interception bits (so you can grab SMS and emails as they arrive and fiddle with them programatically)

Episode links

People expressed some concern about the last video being an exe, but I still don’t see a good way around the problem. I tried downloading and installing the codec for the AVI, but the video still doesn’t properly render. The only thing I’ve found that works is to use Camtasia’s custom player.

If you’re uncomfortable, then just scan the sucker up and down. You won’t hurt my feelings.

• The screencast – 64MB .exe (just run it to watch)
• The source code

What’s next

I’m going to be doing part two of this talk, which will consist of the Pocket Outlook Object Model (POOM) and the telephony API.

I’ll also be taking some of the concepts from this session a little further.

When you’re done listening

Head over to the forum to post any questions or comments.

The chatter

I’m excited about this one. The first two screencasts were meant to introduce device development to n0obs. Now that we’re past that, I wanted to start introducing, you know, like, actual concepts and stuff.

In addition to the content improvements, I’ve also switched to a different video format. The result is a small, but extremely high quality screencast. The downside to this is that I’ve had to package a player, a codec, and the video using some special Camtasia voodoo. However, I think it’ll be worth it. The new files are .exe’s, and they’ll start playing automatically after you run them.

The other downside is that the audio kind of sucks. I'm going to work on getting that fixed, but for this episode, it's just going to be a little stinky.

What you can expect to learn from this episode

• How to connect the emulator to a network (so that you can write networked apps with it (duh))
• How to use some cool controls (WebBrowser, TabControl)
• How to handle the inevitable arrival of a System.NotImplemented exception (even though v2.0 of the .NET CF is snazzier than ever, we still have to work around some shortcomings)
• How to use generics to save your butt
• How to programatically access web resources without the WebBrowser control (when you need to)

Episode links

• The screencast – 36MB .exe (just run it to watch)
• The source code

What’s next

I’m going to be building on this example in future screencasts to illustrate difficulties with UI design on devices, as well as furthering the networked goodness. My assumption is that we’re all net nerds, and we want our devices to hook up to the intarwebs and do neat-o things. We’ll get there :)

When you’re done listening

Head over to the forum to post any questions or comments.

You can post ‘em here, too, of course.

Have fun, people.

I don't know why it didn't occur to me until about five minutes ago to have a general forum for Q/A not related to an episode of the show.

I put one up just now. If you want to make some general chatter, this is the place to do it.

Good evening, peoples.

I got your comments, and I read your emails, and in response, I've created another VideoPoleon screencast. This time, it's basically the same demo as the first, but done for the SmartPhone instead.

I'm pretty happy with these so far. I have another few planned as well, so if you haven't ever done any smart device development, then you might as well watch these suckers. If you do, then you ought to be able to follow along pretty well when I release future episodes in which I create actual applications (rather than just simple Hello World style demos).

You can grab the most recent episode here.

And, if you're curious, here's an idea of what I plan on releasing in the near future (now that the holidays are behind us):

- Building connected applications for the PocketPC and SmartPhone platforms

- Using some of the nifty Windows Mobile 5.0 bits to work with special phone features

- Using some more of said nift to work with the Camera API as well as the State Notification mumbo-jumbo (neat stuff)

I've put together a simple demo app for the next screencast, and I think it'll do a good job of getting across some important principles.

Anyway, leave your feedback - positive and negative - I read it all :)

And enjoy...

The chatter

The "holidays" just came and went, and Rob Miles is a couple gadgets richer. We have a quick (~25 minutes) chat about a few different technical thingy-doodies.

What you can expect from this episode

• Rob reviews the i-mate JasJar - The JasJar (which is probably one of the strangest names for a product I've ever seen) was the first Windows Mobile 5.0 device to hit the market
• Rob reviews the Fujifilm FinePix F10 - A nice little camera with some nifty features
• Just for kicks, we talk about the Xbox 360 - Although it's not a gadget, the 360 can interact with your gadgets (plus, it's just so damned cool...)

Show downloads:

• The show - HiFi - 11MB MP3 - Get it
• The show - LoFi - 6MB MP3 - Get it

Blogs:

• Rob's blog
• My blog

When you're done listening

Check out the forums. Questions, comments, complaints, praise, and ads for private part enlargement procedures should all be placed here.

Well… Looks like the response to the video tutorial was pretty strong. I’ll definitely be making this a semi-regular feature here. I’d make it plain old “regular,” but my job makes it difficult for me to put things out on a regular basis, and I’m finding that a when-it’s-ready approach is best.

Case in point, I’m in Vegas right now for a team meeting, and I don’t have the equipment here to do one of the video tutorials. I have, however, put together a fun little demo app that I’m going to feature in the next one.

So, thanks for all the great comments. I seriously appreciate them, and it’s nice to hear some of you saying that it was what helped motivate you to take a look at developing for devices. Having been there, I can understand and relate. It’s the first push that’s the most difficult, but after that, when you realize what can be done even without a device (just using the emulator), it’s just fun.

There were some suggestions for topics, and I’ve been getting email as well with recommendations. I’m paying attention to everything I’m getting, and it’s helping me to form a little plan of action – a way to get from point A to point B, building incrementally on previous videos so that it will be easy for people to follow through the sequence and actually learn something.

Also, I have another MP3 I’ll be putting up over the next couple days, so that’s good stuff, too.

Until then, thanks again, people :)