[Q] [Question]Windows mobile coding program portable? - Windows Mobile Software Development

Hi fellow members of XDA!
I'm making this post to ask all the developers of the comunity if there's a tool able to run from a pendrive where one can code for windows mobile.
Allow me to explain my request please.
I don't spend much time at home and my netbook (an Asus EEE 901 20GB) runs on EEEbuntu. I also don't spend a lot of time at the same place, and as a result I end up using several computers to work in a day (up to 5 so far).
In order to keep my work all in one place I'm became a fan of PortableApps.com and also other (not so legit sometimes) portable applications. But I would also like to make some coding for my own windows mobile device (Samsung Omnia II), bu I can't install 4 or 5 copies of Visual Studio 2008/2005 and Winmo SDK.
So this is the justification for my question.
A program that I can run from my usb pen drive and that allows me to make coding for windows mobile.
Thank you very much.
p.s. Mod once the question is answer in a mature manner please delete the thread to save space on XDA servers

Is it possible that there's not a single person able to answer my question?

VS with WM SDK is quite a hog. Making it portable app without some awesome tool (yes, they exist) is like impossible. Not like impossible, but definitely impossible. What comes to my mind is that you have to have installed ton of SDKs and registred them to GACs and what not. Also VS always keeps your profile in AppData. Yes I know, there exist apps that convert some app to portable one, but this is too big to be loaded directly from flashdrive IMHO. (VS2008+WM6 SDK+WM6.5.3 DTK)

Related

Linux on Pocket PC

Hi all,
I ask this question cuz I counldn't find enough information about How to install Linux on my PPC.
My ppc is: I-teq X-bond like as Gigabyte gsmart i. with 64MB ROM.
Is there any linux ROM distribution for my ppc? or general linux ROM distribution for PPCs?
Thanks in advance.
Pedram
The reason you could not find information is because there isn't much of it to be found.
Unfortunately, Linux for PPC is in its infancy. The main problem is the drivers - they all need to be reverse engineered and there is no help from the OEMs as they designed this things to only work with MS crap and seem to have no interest in releasing drivers or specifications.
Official reason: Because you can not mess with the OS the device is more stable and secure.
Real reason: If you need to by new phone to get new OS we make more $$$ and so does MS.
As far as I heard there is a half decent version for some iPaq model, and there is version for some HTC devices (check WiKi) but all it does is boot up: no drivers even for touch screen, no graphical interface, no apps.
Thnx levelnum.
I think if linux developers I mean open source world focus on handheld devices they can publish good distribution as desktop or laptop PCs. Today they are very powerful in reverse engineering, .NET Framework in Linux named MONO is one of these reverse engineering issues.
I believe that Linux is much more customizable that WM, especially for XDA-developers that make interesting works on WM. And also it doesn't have copyright restriction as WM has. So may be it makes many progress in world of handheld devices.
Oddly enough I was looking for Linux on Smartphone info yesterday as I've got an Alpine I'd like to be able to do something interesting with.
Demand for something like this is going to be a bit odd - by definition anyone who finds this site, let alone opens an account and posts, is going to be interested in pushing the boundaries of their device but the vast majority of WM device users are going to be in the "don't care how it works as long as it does" group.
Also, I reckon a lot of Linux dev types aren't even going to look at the device, it will never occur to them to buy one because it's sold as a Windows Mobile device, and hence isn't going to be near their installation of the hacker mentality. Without a critical mass of people who can develop in/with Linux it's always going to be a struggle.
problem is the program base
all current wm programs unless they are .net
would not run under linux on our pda's
new ones would be required to be written
or ported or....
The Nokia Internet Tablet runs on a version of Linux with a pretty robust set of applications, and this device uses an ARM processor which should be pretty friendly with regard to 'porting'.
But you'd still be stuck without a telephone application.
You can find some information here:
http://handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/HaRET
http://www.handhelds.org/
Oddly enough I was looking for Linux on Smartphone info yesterday as I've got an Alpine I'd like to be able to do something interesting with.
Demand for something like this is going to be a bit odd - by definition anyone who finds this site, let alone opens an account and posts, is going to be interested in pushing the boundaries of their device but the vast majority of WM device users are going to be in the "don't care how it works as long as it does" group.
Also, I reckon a lot of Linux dev types aren't even going to look at the device, it will never occur to them to buy one because it's sold as a Windows Mobile device, and hence isn't going to be near their installation of the hacker mentality. Without a critical mass of people who can develop in/with Linux it's always going to be a struggle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May be! as you said it is Windows mobile device and linux lovers aren't going around of it. but I think they are so curious than it.
problem is the program base
all current wm programs unless they are .net
would not run under linux on our pda's
new ones would be required to be written
or ported or....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do think so. since I in previous post I mentioned that .NET framework available in linux. so many of windows program can run on it.
You can find some information here:
http://handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/HaRET
http://www.handhelds.org/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hart (Reverse engineering tool for wm hardware) was interesting tool.
yeah but due to limitations and slowness only the minority of applications on windows mobile are made in .net :S
i want this one
http://www.openmoko.com/press/index.html
Regards,
Jason
Rudegar said:
problem is the program base
all current wm programs unless they are .net
would not run under linux on our pda's
new ones would be required to be written
or ported or....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a real problem. If you want to use a particular program from WM that is a problem but why you would do that? There is very large program base for desktop Linux (many of them also exist for desktop Windows) which could be very easily ported to a handheld platform with ARM processor. If you ever looked up how many qualitative programs do exist for Japanese Linux handhelds...
Wexx said:
This is not a real problem. If you want to use a particular program from WM that is a problem but why you would do that? There is very large program base for desktop Linux (many of them also exist for desktop Windows) which could be very easily ported to a handheld platform with ARM processor. If you ever looked up how many qualitative programs do exist for Japanese Linux handhelds...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats one of the things that is grate about open source software - you don't even have to depend on the original developer to find the time / will to port it. Anyone with the programing knowledge can.

SharpDevelop: a VERY simple question from a beginner

Hi everyone.
I'm a beginner in Pocket PC / Smartphone development, though i have some (amateur) experience in creating PC apps (Delphi, C++)
So i just need a "kick start" to begin working on PPC apps. Like, a code to make an app that draws a window with "Hello world" and an OK button in it, you know
I've downloaded the SharpDevelop environment, because it looked like the best freeware alternative to Visual Studio. However, i have to admit i've downloaded the 1.x version, as i have a very old computer. But if it's critical, i can try and install 2.x or 3.x.
Anyway, the question is: how do i create a project for Pocket PC / Smartphone? All i see are options to create PC projects... But i saw SharpDevelop in the D&H wiki, so there must be a way to use it for it, right?
Big thanks in advance for answering my very silly question
upd: also, do i need any special device emulators to run the project, or... w/e
kiruch said:
Hi everyone.
I'm a beginner in Pocket PC / Smartphone development, though i have some (amateur) experience in creating PC apps (Delphi, C++)
So i just need a "kick start" to begin working on PPC apps. Like, a code to make an app that draws a window with "Hello world" and an OK button in it, you know
I've downloaded the SharpDevelop environment, because it looked like the best freeware alternative to Visual Studio. However, i have to admit i've downloaded the 1.x version, as i have a very old computer. But if it's critical, i can try and install 2.x or 3.x.
Anyway, the question is: how do i create a project for Pocket PC / Smartphone? All i see are options to create PC projects... But i saw SharpDevelop in the D&H wiki, so there must be a way to use it for it, right?
Big thanks in advance for answering my very silly question
upd: also, do i need any special device emulators to run the project, or... w/e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a silly question mate - it's a perfectly good one. Unfortunately, I don't think that you can use SharpDevelop to create .Net CF applications easily. The Windows Mobile SDKs come with plenty emulators (to answer your latter question), but they're Microsoft, and therefore they're for Visual Studio. It's really easy with Visual Studio - you just install the SDK and select a smart device as your target when you create a new project. It just works.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=20686a1d-97a8-4f80-bc6a-ae010e085a6e
However, as far as I'm aware, you can't use VS Express (the free version), as the SDKs only work with full versions of VS. If you can get hold of that, I'd recommend it.
I do remember seeing a website talking about using SharpDevelop with the .Net CF, but it was sketchy and didn't promise it would work. Maybe google a little more to make sure about that, but I'd strongly recommend a copy of VS Professional, if that's an option.
If you are a student, you can get VS2008 for free (www.dreamspark.com)
If you are not a student, you can get VS2010 RC for free (works for another 100 days from today).
I use Sharp Develop to program in C# for my phone, and it works fine.
However, it's possible that smartphones are only supported in version 2 and 3 (I never tried version 1).
In the newer versions, when you start a new solution, there will be an option to start a Compact Framework Project.
Some code that is automatically added when adding controls to your form, will throw errors and will have to be deleted. There is more information on that in the forums at Sharpdevelop.
Good luck!
It depends on what u want to program in. .net c# c++ ect. Tho if i were u i would try and get VS. If your going to do c++ i can provide some examples, but not for anything else xD. GL.

Switching from Windows Mobile to EVO. Questions.

Hi,
I am a longtime Windows mobile user (started with the Cassiopeia in 1998), but I am ready for the switch to Android. Are there other former windows mobile users on this forum and , if so, how did the switch go. Any issues with Exchange Server sync? Also, I love using my WinMobile device (TouchPro2) as a USB drive. I have a briefcase folder on my storage card and can easily synchronize files within this folder with 2 PCs. Does Android offer similar functionality. Any other tips and pointers?
GermanGuy said:
Hi,
I am a longtime Windows mobile user (started with the Cassiopeia in 1998), but I am ready for the switch to Android. Are there other former windows mobile users on this forum and , if so, how did the switch go. Any issues with Exchange Server sync? Also, I love using my WinMobile device (TouchPro2) as a USB drive. I have a briefcase folder on my storage card and can easily synchronize files within this folder with 2 PCs. Does Android offer similar functionality. Any other tips and pointers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made the switch a while ago from a whole slew of WM devices to a Hero. Trust me, you will never look back. There is nothing I ever used to do on my WM devices that I can't do on an Android. USB storage included. Plus, you'll actually ENJOY interacting with your device (especially the Evo) which was a very welcomed change for me. Do it.
GermanGuy said:
Hi,
I am a longtime Windows mobile user (started with the Cassiopeia in 1998), but I am ready for the switch to Android. Are there other former windows mobile users on this forum and , if so, how did the switch go. Any issues with Exchange Server sync? Also, I love using my WinMobile device (TouchPro2) as a USB drive. I have a briefcase folder on my storage card and can easily synchronize files within this folder with 2 PCs. Does Android offer similar functionality. Any other tips and pointers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, just saw your Toten Hosen avatar. We used to listen to them in some of my german classes in High School...nice
I am a BIG WM user since inception. I have always enjoyed some of its features and definately its customization. The processors didn't catch up with the OS experience( in truth the WM OS needed a lot of tweaking ) but now with the newer processors the experience is much better but still not good enough for me to look back. I made the move the Android and will consider WP7 when it comes out. I live in and out of Routers and Windows Environments.
Exchange works great and I have moved a large group of clients over to the HTC Incredible and another group this week. They wanted the Apple IPHONE but without the potential of having an extra battery to carry around they had a problem with that. That was their decision not mine as I don't care either way as long as they pay me
They like the Exchange Sync and so do I. Is it perfect? No but it does work well. There are many ways to secure an Android to MS Exchange experience. They tested out the phones for 30 days and are more than happy to make the switch.
You won't regret it and if you do then you can always get the HD2 or HD2 T9193 that will support AT&T 3G.
Good luck and happy Androiding
if you want a good exchange experience, i recommend the app "touchdown". you have to pay for it, but it's far, far better than htc's exchange syncing support, and the dev frequently updates it.
Thank you for all the input.
I recently left VZW on a WiMo .5 on a xv6800 and totally love the Evo. It is SO MUCH FASTER and responsive.

[Q] Why Microsoft decided not to build NT-based OS?

Hello,
one question bothers me since the first time I have heard about WP7. Why Microsoft have decided to create a whole new OS without thinking of OS that would ne NT-based so any program made for normal PC would run on our phones. Just imagine, how many developers could easily port their programs to new OS, just changin the screen size, leaving all core components just the same... All classic PC games, like Blood, Duke Nukem workin flawlesly on a phone without the need of any port. I believe, that it is the only real way to compete with Android and Iphone OS. What do you think?
Wolfas said:
Hello,
one question bothers me since the first time I have heard about WP7. Why Microsoft have decided to create a whole new OS without thinking of OS that would ne NT-based so any program made for normal PC would run on our phones. Just imagine, how many developers could easily port their programs to new OS, just changin the screen size, leaving all core components just the same... All classic PC games, like Blood, Duke Nukem workin flawlesly on a phone without the need of any port. I believe, that it is the only real way to compete with Android and Iphone OS. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if the app was created in siverlight/c# which alot of newer apps are then it can be ported to wp7.. For sometime now microsoft has been pushing their silverlight for devolpers to use so if the games you mentioned is bult in silverlight there should be no problem...
NT on a mobile phone would be a usability nightmare...look how far windows mobile got with the masses. Microsoft is not catering towards the hackers, but the masses.
And to be honest, I would not touch any mobile device running NT...LOL.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
emuneee said:
NT on a mobile phone would be a usability nightmare...look how far windows mobile got with the masses. Microsoft is not catering towards the hackers, but the masses.
And to be honest, I would not touch any mobile device running NT...LOL.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me eather!!! i am so done with wm 6.0, 6.1, 6.5 and its many problems having to flashing rom after rom, restarting the device cause it has no memory left, this list goes on... wp7 is like a breth of fresh air...
Why so negative? WM always had problems, but the level of freedom and customization made me love this platform more and more. And I wouldn't be so sure about unpopularity of this kind of new OS, as NT-based Windows OS platform is the most popular in PC world, stable and nice-looking enough, so why it couldn't be that popular in mobile phones, especially with wide variety of programs already designed for this platform, only waiting for small fixes of resolution? Those games are from dos era, with no good port on any mobile platform...
wolfas said:
why so negative? Wm always had problems, but the level of freedom and customization made me love this platform more and more. And i wouldn't be so sure about unpopularity of this kind of new os, as nt-based windows os platform is the most popular in pc world, stable and nice-looking enough, so why it couldn't be that popular in mobile phones, especially with wide variety of programs already designed for this platform, only waiting for small fixes of resolution? Those games are from dos era, with no good port on any mobile platform...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont get me wrong i not trying to say 6.5 is not for some people just not for me... I think the fact that smartphones moved to a more touch enviroment it seems that the old wm is not as finger friendly and made more for the use of an stylist, to me this type of os seems to not work well on mobile devices for long peorids without a reboot maybe its the way its design or maybe it just have too many things of the desktop enviroment not sure but it gets to be a problem for me, others my not mind. As far as customizing goes well guess you cant have everything.. i personaly would prefer a more stable os than customization, and i am sure additional pc like options will come as well as more customization in the future..
I think the main reason why NT would not make a good mobile OS is simply because it was never designed or meant to run on a mobile device. Your phone is not a computer, so your phone needs an operating environment to suit it's purpose.
The "phone as a computer" approach has been tried by Microsoft, it's called Windows Mobile. While I love Windows Mobile, I have to say, having "Windows NT" on a phone just doesn't make sense.
While it would be cool to play Duke Nukem on your Windows NT mobile device, at the end of the day, you are going to put down your Windows NT phone and just sit at your computer and play Duke Nukem on that. It's just a better overall experience, and Windows NT was designed for that sit-down, productive, huge screen experience. So it wouldn't make sense to invest in a platform that no one would use at the end of the day because their desktop computer does it better.
What you have to do is create an entirely unique and different experience designed for the phone and "on-the-go" life, to complement the Windows NT desktop experience. That is after all, what your phone is for. That's what Windows Phone 7 is.
Can't wait to get my hands on a Windows Phone 7.... phone.... XD
Well, I guess you are right, but I will try once more to support my idea, if you don't mind. I still see some reasons why NT- based mobile OS would be a good idea:
1. There are plenty of popular netbooks, tablet PC's and other relative small devices with full XP, Vista or Win7 OS. All of them are made for on the go experience and still having NT OS. Not even talking about miniature UMPC's. We also often leave these devices unused when we turn on our normal PC's at home, but doesn't prevent them from having huge popularity.
2. Of cource, I do not want to suggest porting normal WinXP to mobile phones (but win98 on my touch pro didn't look half that bad ), but rather something with an UI suited for small screens, but still capable to run any application made for normal Windows.
3. I also think about the interest of developers to this kind of OS. Theorically, there would be no need to learn OS-specific programming, just the things used on any NT OS. Most of the developers who makes programs for PC would be able to make a version for this OS just by changing the resolution, leaving engine just the same.
Please, say your opinion about these things I've pointed out
1. Netbooks and tablets still operate outside of the smartphone arena of capabilities and requirements for most users. There is a reason why there isn't a successful phone running Windows XP. You can write the drivers and software for phone functionality, but at the end of the day NT was not produced with phones in mind.
2. Applications written for desktops are written for desktop processors and memory capacities. Its not a simple change of just resolutions. What if an app request memory that doesn't exist on the mobile device? Chances are the mobile device can't even address that amount of memory. So you design a mobile focused NT kernel...well now all apps can't run on both platforms..so what's the point.
3. Yes you do, because all the capabilities available on a desktop aren't available on a smartphone. Developers still have to keep that in mind when their app is in development.
I sit here looking at my Windows XP work workstation and I would kill myself if I had to use this on a phone. Windows Mobile was hard enough.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I forget the name but there was a secret (ish) project inside Microsoft to make the NT kernel more portable and sorta combine it with the CE kernel. They were basically building off the MinWin work.
But remember, native code still wouldn't be cross platform. x86 and ARM are not binary compatible. Just look at "OSX" on Mac desktops and "OSX" as the base of "iOS". Nothing crosses back and forth.
The NT kernel doesn't scale down that well yet. The kernel land is still full of bidirectional vertical dependencies. The current lowest profile incarnation called MinWin needs like 40MB RAM to boot to a text console and offer next to no APIs and is still shock full of missing dependencies (apparently boot loader magic makes it not break on boot).
Once they're really done despaghettifying, you might see it on mobile devices. But that'll still take a while, because right now, slimming down involves tons of aliasing dependencies to nothing.
Absolutely no reason why they could not run NT on a smart phone but why would they? They already have Windows CE (aka pocket PC) and if MS had been serious about Pocket PC IMHO they would be in a much better market position now.
One of the biggest messups with Pocket PC is the inconsistancy of the user interface and MS failed to revamp the 6.5 completely for touch.... They have a lot of good things going with WM 6.5 but it was an incomplete effort and it shows.
well, I see you are right... That NT is much more complex monster than I thought, thanks for clearing that out Yesterday, I found information about device called xpPhone, I wonder what would you say about it ? http://www.xpphone.com/en/product/specification.html

Convert 6.5 apps to WP7

Is this even possable with all of MS's tools to take a cab file from a 6.5 program and convert it to a WP7 app ?
No you can't, WP7 is a completely different beast than WM.
If you have the source code for your WM6.5 app and it uses the .NET Framework, you should be able to copy bits and pieces of code because Windows Phone apps are written in C# or VB.NET.
Dam, all I want is Remote desktop and UNO 1.63 (programers site is down, I would of asked for the source code) I hate the UNO in the marketplace.
Edit: found the programmer who made UNO 1.63, not supported any more, dropped him a line to see if he would release the source code for it.
no the real question is would it be possible to make an emulator, we're not talking about running games or playing video here so the overhead shouldnt matter too much
This app works great for Remote Desktop.
http://www.appsfuze.com/applications/windowsphone.tools/remote-desktop,14118
It's expensive, but the trial works fine. The limitation is that you can only be connected for 5 minutes at a time, then you have to wait 60 seconds before connecting again.
SimzzDev said:
This app works great for Remote Desktop.
http://www.appsfuze.com/applications/windowsphone.tools/remote-desktop,14118
It's expensive, but the trial works fine. The limitation is that you can only be connected for 5 minutes at a time, then you have to wait 60 seconds before connecting again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an issue with that app, you can't make secure connections with it. As I have understand with this, MS is the only one who could create a perfect app for this.
Even the 6.5 version supported it....
I love WP7, but, just hate some of the limits, this is one of them...

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