Are we only going to be able to create full screen Metro-style applications?
Yes:
Metro style apps are full screen apps tailored to your users' needs, tailored to the device they run on, tailored for touch interaction, and tailored to the Windows user interface.
Otherwise, as John Gardner points out, your app would not be a Metro-style app: if it exists on the desktop, it is by definition a desktop app.
But that's kindof the point of Metro.
You don't always have fullscreen either, because depending on screen size, you can have 2 applications visible.
If you want to use the desktop, you fall back into the standard windows desktop and use standard desktop applicatoins.
Yes but you can re-size your app by using Snap Feature.
I don't know exactly what are your requirements but better look at this and this video
Related
I'm creating an app where I would like the user to be able to take their own photos. However, I'd like to apply an overlay of where the face should be in the picture (in order for the app to work best).
So when the camera is launched from the app, I'd like there to be a faint outline that is visible on the screen. This way the user can line up the face inside of that outline.
Where would I even look to see how that is done?
Start with MSDN or with the Nokia Developer's library
Nokia just released an Imaging SDK for Windows Phone 8 which might be useful.
I know this might seem odd, but I am working on a windows Metro app which would be displayed on touch screen monitors in our local university.
Now I am using the simulator for debugging, but in the simulator you have to start "Touch Mode" to even use the touch interface.
So when using the touch monitors, do we have to specifically specify touch mode ? Or it will automatically integrate the touch functionality ?
Thank you.
Touch is a first class-citizen in Windows Store applications, so no special accommodations are needed. I would recommend you test on a touch device though before deploying, it's a different way of interacting, and even though the simulator does a decent job of handling the mechanics, it will "feel" different to a user - especially if you're leveraging pinch-zoom, swipe and other gestures.
On another note... is this app intended for a kiosk-type application? If so, keep in mind with Windows 8/RT, you won't be able to easily prevent the users from swiping to the charms, navigating to other programs, etc. You may want/need to take a look at Windows 8 Embedded depending on the specific deployment requirements.
Does Metro-style apps UI only support either Fullscreen or tile-based environment?
Is there any other window styles?
"Metro" or Windows Store applications support several orientations and layout states. Depending on the resolution of your device, Filled and Snapped may or may not be available (1366 x 768 or greater resolution is required).
Within an application you can also use flyouts (such as provided by the Callisto library for XAML applications and included 'natively' for JavaScript).
Tiles are not really an application 'style.' Every Windows Store application can have a tile on the Start Screen, and it's part of your application's manifest to determine the appearance (though the user has ultimate control over the size and whether he/she wants the tile on the Start Screen at all). Additionally, through the use of notifications you can reflect additional information via the tile, but again you can't rely on the tile actually being there even if your application is installed.
While developing Windows Store apps and WP8 apps, is it possible to test the "touch" gestures while using a laptop that doesn't support touch? Are there parallel mouse or keyboard actions/combinations that will do the same thing as a "pinch" or a "flick" gesture (to imitate semantic zoom and unzoom) for example?
When you use the simulator, there are buttons at the right that let you simulate multi-touch. It's not convenient, but it mostly works.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh441475(v=vs.110).aspx
I haven't been able to use the WP8 SDK yet but if the SDK is like WP7 (from what I hear from others it is) use the simulator that comes with the SDK and use Multitouch Vista to emulate the touches with this Guide to using Multitouch Vista. You will just need any other USB mouse (note though using the built-in trackpad as another mouse has been hit and miss in my experience with Multitouch Vista)
For Windows Store Apps the easiest way to simlute gestures only us by using the provided simulator. You can still use Multitouch Vista but the dots to track the points won't show in the Metro Environment.
I am just curious how facebook for iPhone application can display a list of icons with the text, then all the icons shake to allow user to change the position of each item.
What kind of control is that, and is there some sample code that do the same thing?
I think it must be standard because it exists as well in home screen of iPhone and iPod app to choose the tab item.
Thank you.
It's not a standard control. It's generally implemented with Core Animation and a rotation transform.
Apple discourages App developers from imitating the spring board, claiming it is confusing for the user. So don't expect standard controls for this.
You can of course implement it yourself with animation. Basic (property based) animation should be sufficient.