Windows Phone 7 Demo on Android or iPhone

Are you one of those curious Android or iPhone mobile phone users who are itching to try out the new Windows 7 release? Well, worry not! Microsoft has released a cool demo that can be run on iPhone and Android phone without any issues.

With a tap or a swipe, you will be presented with a start up screen with the most commonly used services such as Messaging, Outlook, and Calendar etc. Once you have tested any one of the service’s demo, you can go back to the main screen to test another one. It is simple, interactive and certainly very user-friendly.

Some of the features that take Windows 7 mobile to the next level of communication are:

• Touch-Friendly user interface that is slick and elegant.
• With a tap and a drag, move the apps around.
• Easy synchronization of documents between your phone and PC.
• Access to Outlook mail application giving way to important features such as flagging important e-mails etc.
• Large and colorful live tiles can be used as shortcuts to frequently used apps and websites.
• Adding apps to Quick launch is as easy as it can get.
• A single people hub to show the ‘Recent’, ‘New’ and ‘What’s New’ happenings with your friends across social networking sites.
• The interface is elegant and extremely impressive. Usage of bold colors and clear font has made the overall display quality very high.

Though a lot of focus has been about the cool interface and its impressive look, the functionality aspect of Window 7 mobile is to be appreciated as well. With live tiles and several useful apps, Windows 7 mobile sure seems to be gaining the edge in the mobile market.

Look at the Windows 7 screenshots and demo

Windows Mobile 7 bags OS of the year 2011

The news is certainly all over the place - Know Your Mobile Awards of 2011 has recognized and rewarded the Windows Mobile phone with Operating System of the year 2011 award. Despite the fact that Windows phone is still not as popular as the iOS of Apple or Google’s Android, this award sure seems to have given Microsoft some leverage with respect to mobile phones.

The metro user interface incorporated by Microsoft was the main focus during the presentation of the award. The fact that the interface does not look like any of its competitor’s interfaces has worked in its favor. Below are the three highlights with respect to Metro interface.

• Smart updating tiles
• Tablet optimized interface
• Flexible apps

The completely customizable startup screen has scored among the customers leading to the success of this phone. Some other highlighted features were:

• XBOX Live
• Bing
• Windows Live
• Office Integration
• Zune

The judge panel seemed to have well-justified reason for choosing the Windows Phone OS. Below are some of the comments given by the judges with respect to the winner this year.

“It has the most potential, with a unique interface and a rapidly growing apps selection. It has a great looking UI and doesn’t look like Android or iOS.”

“A massive move from the previous OS. Huge growth in apps and the system looks heaps better than the competition.”

“Innovative interface, with more success to come.”

“A refreshing OS that doesn’t try and copy other operating systems. Has attracted a large number of developers too.”

Thus, the OS has concentrated on the user needs first by getting rid of useless uninformative icons and providing them with rich Internet experiences and useful as well as smarter apps on the mobile phone. However, whether the same can be said of the interface when implemented on desktop is still under speculation.

For those of you who are curious to know - Blackberry 7 and Samsung Bada were awarded with runner up prizes in this category.

Cygnet offers mobile application development services to assist companies to introduce mobility solutions for their business.

“Your App Here” Microsoft’s Invitation to Windows Phone App Developers

Here is your chance to promote your Windows Phone application development skills. Microsoft has announced a new campaign called “Your App Here” to encourage application development on the Windows Phone.

Microsoft will select maximum of seven best phone apps for each of the months of December 2011, January 2012 and February 2012.

1. These applications will be promoted using online banners on MSN sites network
2. Each application will be featured exclusively for a day on Windows phone marketplace
3. The application can be considered for other PR and publicity campaigns

Windows Phone application developers, gear up for this golden opportunity!

You can develop applications in any category such as casual games, kids and family, health and fitness, shopping, social, travel and utilities. However, your app must be published in windows phone marketplace before you can apply, it must be made for Windows Phone 7.5 and must include Fast App Switching and some innovative use of tiles.

Read more about the selection criteria and publishing your app for “Your App Here”

Innovation and distinctiveness of idea, attractive and user-friendly user interface, appropriate display properties and ease of app integration (as and when necessary) will play an important role.

In order to build and publish the app on Windows Marketplace, follow these steps

1. Install Windows Phone SDK 7.1
2. Register on App Hub to publish the app
3. Develop the App using the available resources/tools

Once the application is ready-for-use, you will need to publish it on the Windows Marketplace. An online form needs to be submitted after the publication in order for the app to be considered for the ‘Your App here’ contest. It is mandatory to fill up the form and complete the necessary formalities before the declared deadline for each month’s campaign consideration, failing which the app will go unnoticed.

Sadly, this contest is open for developers in the United States only. Although Microsoft assures that steps are being taken to extend ‘Your App Here’ to worldwide app developers, no program has been defined as of yet to make it happen.

Read more about Cygnet's Services for Mobility

Cygnet launches its brand new Microsoft services website

Cygnet is proud to announce the launch of http://microsoft.cygnet-infotech.com - a new website highlighting all of Cygnet’s professional services offerings in Microsoft technologies.

The development of this site is part of a larger re-look at Cygnet’s overall website strategy. In due course, we will be developing different sites for each of our service offerings which will all come under the banner of the main corporate website.

To reiterate, Cygnet has earned a Microsoft Partner Gold competency in web development and Microsoft Partner Silver competencies in software development, portals and collaboration, search, data platform, mid-market solutions provider and content management.

The main service offerings are related to software development in Microsoft .NET, collaboration and document management solutions using Microsoft SharePoint, CRM with Microsoft Dynamics, web applications with SilverLight, legacy application integration with BizTalk, cloud solutions with Office 365 and mobility solutions.

Get a taste of Cygnet’s expertise in delivering solutions in Microsoft technologies by reading the case studies section.

Speaking on the launch of the site, Cygnet’s Executive Director Tejinder Oberoi said, “The purpose of creating this exclusive website is to reiterate our commitment to Microsoft technologies. In the entire Microsoft stack, we have everything that is required for building best of breed technology solutions that translate to better returns on investment for our clients.”

Mr. Oberoi is attending the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles, USA from 10^th to 14^th July and this was planned in advance as an appropriate event to introduce the site to other Microsoft partners and potential customers.

A special vote of thanks to the entire team which has made this site possible under extremely tight deadlines – from concept to live in just a month! Just goes to prove that if Cygnetians decide to do something, take it for granted that it shall be done.

Three Cheers to http://microsoft.cygnet-infotech.com.