Lionel Camacho, UP Microsoft Student Partner Resources and slides available at: http://sdrv.ms/12zEt0F
Sep 21, 2014
Lionel Camacho, UP Microsoft Student PartnerResources and slides available at: http://sdrv.ms/12zEt0F
A Little About Me
Studying: B.IS:
Multimedia Honours
UP Microsoft Student Partner
5 WP Apps
12 W8 Apps
@LionelCamacho
Lionel CamachoFormer AppFactory intern
Student dev groups• Small groups (4-5 ppl) that meet up often• Showcase apps to each other• Help each other when problems arise
UP teams in competitions• More teams entering and winning at Imagine Cup from UP• UP teams winning at hackathons
Local is Lekker• More UP students developing locally relevant apps• At least one big app from UP student dev groups that solves a problem in Pretoria
What I want to achieve as MSP
Grow together
Build communities
Achieve goals together.
Why Develop for W8?
Free Store Accounts• Windows Store and Windows Phone Store• DreamSpark resources
Competitions + Prizes• Imagine Cup• Hackathons
Make Money• Selling apps• In-app purchases• Advertising
to the world!
Bring your ideas
The opportunity is yours.
More Reasons To Develop For W8
100 Million Licenses Sold• Large worldwide audience• Global client opportunities
Build Your Portfolio• Important to be able to showcase your skills when applying for jobs• Provides platform to have apps live in an app store
Local Relevance• South African audience have a massive need for apps relevant to them• You can provide unique solutions to problems present in South Africa
Getting Started
Tech Required
Windows 8 • Can only develop W8 apps and WP8 apps using Windows 8• WP7 apps can still be developed on Windows 7
Visual Studio 2012• Any version will do• Available on DreamSpark for free
W8 and WP8 SDK’s• Free to download
Skills Required
Imagination• For both design and app ideas• Creativity will help you create attractive apps
C# or C++ or VB and XAML• Down to personal choice what you want to use• XAML = Presentation, C#/C++/VB = code behind
HTML5 and JavaScript• Alternative choice, but just as powerful• HTML5 = presentation, JavaScript = code behind
Tools to succeed
Outside the box
Starting Point
dev.windows.com• SDK downloads, samples, documentation, design guidelines• Community support and forums
build.windowsstore.com• Join AppBuilder to get 30 day guidance building your 1st app
channel9.msdn.com/Windows• Limitless number of video tutorials Here for you
Your Idea.Your App.30 Days.
Building your 1st App
Step 1: Planning
What will your app be GREAT at?• Always the first question you should ask yourself• Gives you a clear focus on what should be most important• Give your app a unique name
Prioritize important features• Identify which features are absolutely necessary to have• Non crucial features that are nice to have identified
Define your target market• Identify who will be using your app and in what environments• Will be essential in deciding on your app design
Plan your pathBuild a
foundation
Text/Pic
Step 2: Design The UI
“Content over chrome”• Bring users straight into the content• Clean and clutter free design is key
“Fast and fluid”• Your app should feel fast and responsive• Transitions should feel ‘fluid’ and” smooth”
Draw your design• Plan how you envision the app will look and feel• Make the navigation between pages clear• Saves time by avoiding redesigns later
Get direction
Refine your idea
Envision
Step 2 (cont): Design The UI
AppBar• Most buttons in the main interface can be moved to app bar• Helps keep a cleaner design
Orientations + Snapping• Devices support different orientations• Snapped View must be supported so plan for it
Prototype• Simple prototyping ensures design and navigation make sense
Ensure usability
Strengthen design
Step 3: Coding
Programming language• Choose a language you are comfortable with• Personal choice, no real difference in what is possible
Templates• Quick and simple way to build simple informational apps• Best way to start an app for beginners
Prototypes• Simple prototyping ensures design and navigation make sense and can save time if there are problems
Use your talentsBuild your app
Step 4: Testing
Be thorough• Buggy apps will get poor ratings in the store• Test every feature as thoroughly as possible• Test for expected outputs and actual outputs
App Certification Kit• Powerful tool to test if app meets submission requirements• Reports if app passed or failed certification with reasons why
Fix errors, test again• If errors have been found, fix them and test EVERY feature again, sometimes a fix somewhere can break something elsewhere
Create stable appsFind problems
Step 5: Submitting to the Store
Screenshots• Will be the first things a user sees of your app in Store• Make a great first impression
Packages• Make sure you create the correct packages for the platforms you are targeting (RT, x86, x64, neutral)• Make sure all capabilities you use are selected and those you don’t are not
Regions + Pricing• Know the regions where your app is relevant• Price your app appropriately
Reach the world
Upload to the store
Step 6: Refine
User feedback• Check user ratings/reviews often• Listen to what users are saying
Fix and improve• Fix any reported errors• Search for areas of improvements
Regular updates• Don’t forget about your users• Continually improve and add new features• Users will appreciate a well maintained app
Gain loyal users
Improve your app
Value user input
You have now developed and submitted your first Windows 8 app.Congratulations!
Great opportunities await.
Have a look.
Microsoft YouthSpark
RSVP:Thabile Mdletshe
or +27 11 467 4935
Seeking employment
Date:25 May 2013
Time:9:30am - 4:30pmInfluencing perc
eption
Thinking of a career in IT
Creating apps
Build your own business
Venue:Wits University,The Flower Hall,West Campus
Microsoft’s Premier Student Technology Competition• Windows 8 apps, Windows Phone 8 apps, Games, Azure apps• Variety of categories to enter
Prizes• Cash prizes• Technology prizes• Local winners get free trip to international destination to compete in the worldwide finals.
Make a name for yourself• Test your skills against the best in the country and the world
Imagine Cup
change the world
Your ideas can
The brightest minds in the country.
Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8• Focus on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 apps
Local relevance• Aims to develop apps relevant for the local Store• Apps to help provide solutions to problems in SA
Kick start your dev career• Great opportunity to get hands on industry app dev experience• A one of a kind internship in South Africa• Amazing learning opportunities• Aims to be a Launchpad for young tech entrepreneurs to eventually start their own businesses
The AppFactory
@TheAppFactory
The AppFactory
Represent Microsoft on campus• Inspire Windows app dev on campus• Build apps• Share your knowledge with other students
Student community• Build student dev communities• Expand students horizons• Collaborate with other students at other varsities
Events• Host lectures, hackathons and competitions on campus• Attend official Microsoft events free of charge
Microsoft Student Partners
@wwmsp
Be a leader
Looking forward to seeing what you develop.
Thank you.