How do I get started programming a Pocket PC?

[heyu]

Hello,

I hope someone can help me get started; I am looking to buy a Pocket PC so I can create some basic programs using the .NET framework but I have read some conflicting or not so good info about this, such as you can only use Visual Studio 2010?? Then I noticed that the Pocket PC's run on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system. I am just not sure how to get started and what PDA to buy. I have Visual Studios 2005 and home and 2010 at work.

Thanks for any advice!

[jmcilhinney]

VS 2010 supports mobile development for Windows Phone only, not Pocket PC. I'm not exactly sure what versions of Pocket PC VS 2005 and VS 2008 support but you will need to use one of them. I know that VS 2008 support 6.0 and 6.5 but I'm not sure other than that.

[heyu]

I found this SDK down load http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl...ils.aspx?id=42 and it looks like if you already have VS-2005 it will load the templates needed into it. Here is a few pics; VS generated the code you see as a result of clicking any button on the simulated Pocket PC.

Now I just need to buy one and test it out.

[gep13]

Hello heyu,

Just to be sure you are aware, Pocket PC has essentially been replaced with Windows Phone. Granted, you will have those that will argue that using the .Net Compact Framework gave you more access to the hardware than you get with Windows Phone, but that is a separate argument.

Unless you have a specific reason to use a Pocket PC, in terms of ongoing support and using the latest technologies, I would have though that starting development on a Windows Phone device would be a much better idea.

Gary

[heyu]

Hey Gary,

Actually I am open to ideas, and I have to admit I have never owned a smart phone simply because I can't afford the monthly data plan. Can I use a Windows phone without a calling plan and data plan like a PDA?

[gep13]

Ah, good question...

I have just taken the SIM Card out of my Windows Phone 7, and when I powered it on, I initially got an error saying that I could make emergency calls only (which is to be expected) but apart from that, it appears to be fully functional. You would of course need to use a wireless connection to access the internet etc.

Gary

[Lightning]

You can use a Windows Phone 7 as a "dump" phone, just for calls en text messages, only using the "smart" features when connected to Wifi (Settings --> Celluler --> Data connection --> Off)
But a thing you should know is the you can only run a programm on the phone when it is dev-unlocked. You can unlock your phone if you have a Apphub subsription ($99/year, free for student via Dreamspark), otherwise you can only run the programm in the emulator.
And for the PPC question, you need VS 2003,2005 or 2008, but the Express edition (the free once) don't support the PPC platform.

[heyu]

@Lightning Thanks for the info, I do have VS 2005 so looks like I am good. I don't think I will get the smart phone.......

I am liking the iPod touch, but I am not set up for that type of development unless I can get a used mac then I think its a yearly $99 developers license and that includes their SDK.

But in reality I will probably get this http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Axim-X50v.../ref=pd_cp_e_2

[gep13]

You can use a Windows Phone 7 as a "dump" phone, just for calls en text messages, only using the "smart" features when connected to Wifi (Settings --> Celluler --> Data connection --> Off)
But a thing you should know is the you can only run a programm on the phone when it is dev-unlocked. You can unlock your phone if you have a Apphub subsription ($99/year, free for student via Dreamspark), otherwise you can only run the programm in the emulator.
And for the PPC question, you need VS 2003,2005 or 2008, but the Express edition (the free once) don't support the PPC platform.

Ah yeah, very good point! I keep forgetting that as I already have a Dev Account, and I never think about it :-)

Gary

[Lightning]

If you have VS2005, you can develop software for the smartphone on the amazon.com link. It is just like regular C#, only the screen is a smaller, the processor is not as fast a a regular processor and (most important) the framework has some limitations.
If you have question, feel free to ask.
(You could alse ask to some people you know to see if they don't have any phone like that in spare, I have 1 but I still use it to support some old software I wrote some years ago, could save you $155)

[gep13]

But in reality I will probably get this http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Axim-X50v.../ref=pd_cp_e_2

This is just my opinion, but unless there was a specific requirement that mandated that I needed to use this piece of hardware, I wouldn't be buying it. I would be looking towards the newer pieces of kit/technology, even if that meant developing for the Android/iOS hardware.

Gary

[Lightning]

A Lumia 610 is new for sale for about 140 euro's....

[gep13]

A Lumia 610 is new for sale for about 140 euro's....

Or, if you do what I did, and submit an application to the Windows Phone Marketplace, you can get a Nokia Lumia 800 free from Nokia

I think that they are still running that deal, but it has been a good few months now, so it might have stopped.

Gary

[Lightning]

O, I had to create 3 app the get my wife a lumia 710...

[gep13]

3 apps! Wow! Was the the reward scheme for Windows Phone?

Are you based in the UK?

Gary

[Lightning]

No, I'm in the Netherlands. Before I started I had to tell them what I was going to build, it were 2 very simple app's and 1 app I was already developing, but that is a bussines app. The first had to be in the Martkplace within 1 month, the other 2 within 3 month...

[gep13]

No, I'm in the Netherlands. Before I started I had to tell them what I was going to build, it were 2 very simple app's and 1 app I was already developing, but that is a bussines app. The first had to be in the Martkplace within 1 month, the other 2 within 3 month...

Interesting.

Guess there must be different offers for different regions.

Gary