Microsoft has rolled out yet another update to the Windows Phone App Studio beta, adding a few new features based on developer feedback.
On August 6th, Microsoft unveiled the Windows Phone App Studio beta. This new program allows newbies and experienced developers alike to develop an application of their own. The web-based app creation tool is designed to help people easily bring an app idea to life.
Microsoft has improved app development workflow by enhancing the code and projects that are created. External data sources have received a new cache implementation allowing developers to access dynamic data or RSS feeds even if the user’s phone is not connected. Microsoft has also optimized Visual Studio projects to remove external references when they are not being used.
Microsoft has also added a Fast Resume feature that allows developers to set a default language for easy publication in the Windows Phone Store. Microsoft has also added a “FlipView” feature which makes navigating easier. Near Field Communication (NFC) support has also been added.
“We’ve also made it easier for you to integrate native phone functions into your app using “actions.” Simply create a menu and your users can choose to open Nokia Maps, play music, make phone calls, and use other native apps – all without leaving your app. You can also define these actions in your collection schemas as either dynamic or static, and choose in the bindings whether to display a button on the details page to execute that action,” Microsoft adds.
Microsoft has also included support for Windows Phone Ad SDK, so you can add an ad control to your app using your pubCenter account.
Thusfar, more than 150,000 projects have been created by 160,000 users. 65,000 apps have also been built in just two months since the beta launched.
“Your feedback has been incredibly valuable in helping us focus on what matters to you. Thank you—and keep talking to us about the features you want to see next,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.
