Great news for developers

Microsoft released Visual Studio Update 2 RTM:
download the web installer
download the offline installer (iso image)
check the full log

The official Windows Phone 8.1 beta for Sqlite extension is out:
download Sqlite extension

Want more?
Telerik gives a free license for Windows Phone and Windows 8 controls:
claim your license

Now it's time to develop Windows Phone 8.1 applications and universal apps :)

[EDIT 15 may]:
A special offer also from Syncfusion:
get wp controls for only 1$

NowPlaying for Windows Phone

With NowPlaying you can listen your music and share the #NowPlaying hashtag in Twitter, Facebook and the other networks.

Gestures control:

• Open your media library.
• Play or pause the music.
• Move to next or previous song.
• Share your #NowPlaying status.

More features:

• Live Tile customizable with the last song played.
• Select your #NowPlaying style from the default formats or create your own with the simple editor: you have the full control.
• Disable the Lockscreen from the application.

Check NowPlaying in the Marketplace and remember to swipe down to share!

Windows Phone - Live Tiles with Telerik

The default Windows Phone framework offers a simple template for tiles:

• Static background image from application or from url.
• Title.
• Number (top right).
• A back message.

With Telerik RadControl for Windows Phone you have more power in your hands!



myWeather

"LiveTileHelper" class helps you to create dynamic live tiles with your own design and your own content.

The "RadExtendedTileData" extends the standard tile data with two properties VisualElement and BackVisualElement.
Now the amazing thing: this properties accept UIElement. Yes, UIElement!!

Now let's code...

LiveTileHelper.CreateOrUpdateTile( 
 new RadExtendedTileData() 
 { 
  Title = "My front title",
  VisualElement = new MyUserControl(),
  BackTitle = "My back title" 
  BackContent = "My back message", 
  BackVisualElement = new MyUserControl2(), 
 }, 
 new Uri("/MainPage.xaml?param=myparam", UriKind.RelativeOrAbsolute)
);

You can customize MyUserControl and MyUserControl2 as you want, the only limit is your imagination.

Then, why should you use this controls?

• Easyness
• More features
• Time saver
• Support and help

And remember this: a good app, has a good live tile.