How to Begin Creating Mobile Phone Applications with Azure
Microsoft has just announced the release of Windows Azure Toolkit for Windows Phone 7. The toolkit will assist developers in building mobile applications using Windows Azure and cloud capabilities.
A project template and a sample solution are included with the toolkit. However, the following programs must be installed to run the template:
Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Professional (or higher) or both Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2010 Express and Microsoft Visual Studio
2010 Express for Windows Phone
Windows Phone Developer Tools
Internet Information Services 7 (IIS7)
Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 (November Release)
The toolkit for Windows Phone 7 can be downloaded free at: http://watoolkitwp7.codeplex.com/
Click on the “Download” button and agree to the Microsoft Public License (Ms-PL). When the File Download – Security Warning dialogue box appears, click “Run.”
If another security warning box appears stating “The Publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?” click “Run” in that dialogue box, too.
When the download completes, you will be prompted to accept the License Agreement. Click “Accept” and then click “Install” to complete the installation.
After the program files are loaded to the hard drive, the default installation folder will open. Click on the Setup.cmd file to begin configuring the toolkit.
The configuration tool will scan the computer’s program files for required software and install the sample project templates.
Once configuration of the Windows Azure Toolkit for Windows Phone 7 is complete, you can begin creating a mobile application. The toolkit includes templates and instructions that will help less-experienced developers build apps more quickly. Programming professionals will appreciate the additional features included in the toolkit.
Binary Libraries: Written specifically for Windows 7 Phone Applications and Windows Azure compatibility.
Documentation: Covering complete toolkit content from setup and usage to troubleshooting help.
Dependency Checker: Guarantees the components necessary to successfully work with the toolkit are present.
Template Design: Include VSIX files for use with Visual Studio 2010 Extension.
Sample Design: Written in both C# and VB.NET.
By using Windows Azure to develop mobile applications in the cloud, developers and program designers can focus on their product without having to worry about infrastructure management. The potential for more complex applications combined with the greater service availability that the cloud offers means a new level of mobile user interface programs is just around the corner.
BIO: Dallas Behling is an entrepreneur and co-founder of ArtOfWarCentral.com, a game server company. Dallas also runs other projects for other companies in his spare time.
