Tag: windows phone

Creating Android Apps using C# and Xamarin

You can create native Android and iOS applications using C#, with Xamarin. I explored the capabilities of Xamarin tools and the development experience with Xamarin to create an Android version of CensusMapper. CensusMapper displays U.S. Census data on a Map. I created the original application for Windows 8 (WinRT) using C#. I have since converted it to an MVVM (C#) application, HTML/Javascript (WinJS) version and more recently to a Universal Windows App running on Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.1. In that tradition, now it is faithfully ported to run on Android devices, using C# and Xamarin. CensusMapper is available on Google Play Store.

censusmapper-android-on-nexus5

CensusMapper.Android shows population of each U.S. State. User can tap on a location on the map to show the population (as per 2010 census) of the zip code containing the selected location. User can select a location to view the population compared to the containing geography, as a pie-chart.

This experimental project helped me expand my cross-platform mobile application development skillset in the following areas:

  • Using Xamarin/C# to create an Android app using Xamarin Studio on a PC and a Mac.
  • Structuring C#/.NET source code in a Portable Class Library to allow reuse on Windows, Windows Phone, Android and iOS platforms.
  • Converting the functionality of an existing Windows Universal App (Windows Phone/ WinRT) to an Android app.
  • Using GoogleMaps API (via Google Play Services) to display data retrieved from U.S. Census API.
  • Using Bing Maps API for reverse geocoding in an Android app.
  • Creating custom markers using low-level API in Android.Graphics namespace to display information on the map.
  • Charting with oxyplot cross-platform charting library.
  • Working with Android SDK, AVD Manager as well as developer documentation and resources on Android and Xamarin websites in the development lifecycle of the app.
  • Publishing an app on Google Play Store.

I started with Xamarin.Forms.Maps. It was quick and straight forward to create a Xamarin.Forms app. The tricky part was creating the custom markers (the shape of speech bubble) on the map, instead of using the default push-pin markers . I tried creating a CustomRender to create custom markers and built interactivity with the map elements, but it turned out to be too much hassle. All of that customization would be specific to Android platform only and not reusable on the iOS anyway. So, I decided against using Xamarin.Forms and work directly with Google Maps library. Xamarin.Forms also limits me to Windows Phone 8 compatibility in my PCL. I can’t use Windows Phone 8.1 in any PCL profile compatible with Xamarin.Forms. It also requires a minimum of Android 4.0. The PCL profile # 111 for sharing code between Windows 8, Windows Phone 8.1 as well as Android and iOS, is not compatible with Xamarin.Forms at the time of writing this.

pcl-profile-111

Don’t use the Android emulator for testing. Get a real device. I stopped using the emulator while working on CensusMapper because GooglePlayServices (GPS) dependency was making me jump through way too many hoops. Debugging map functionality on the real device was a much more productive experience. Then I discovered Xamarin’s Android Player. It is awesome. By all means, use it! It is a pleasure to work with, especially on a Mac. Don’t be discouraged by the preview/beta status. It blows the Android SDK virtual devices out of the water, in terms of performance and usability.

I tested on Google Nexus 4 (Android 4.2), Samsung Galaxy SIII (Android 4.3) , BLU Dash JR (Android 4.4) and an older Coby Kyros tablet (Android 2.2). Google Play Services update, required for the app to work, could not be installed on BLU device because of the limited storage space. You must root the device in order to install the GPS updates on an SD card. It is advisable to have a root-friendly device. Google Nexus devices are excellent development devices, allowing you root access and the ability to load custom ROMs. However, it is very important for you to get a few different kinds of devices of various form factors and Android versions/API levels for testing your app’s functional and non-functional aspects.

Android device logs and the IDE build logs are the most important tools you have to resolve problems encountered in the Android app development with Xamarin. These should be the first places to look when troubleshooting issue.

Versions used in this project:
Xamarin 3.8.
Xamarin Studio 5.7
Xamarin Android 4.20.0

Get it on Google Play

Windigo 1.1 Released

windigo-samsungWindigo is a windows phone app to access your diigo account on windows phone 7.

Create, edit and search diigo bookmarks. Slick, to-the-point interface. Browse and search public bookmarks of other diigo users. Tap on the bookmark for details, including tags. Tap on any tag to narrow your search. Trial version is available.

Windigo 1.1 is out on the windows phone marketplace now.  Highlights of this update :

– Last SearchScope used is now persistent
– Fixed search when a search term is picked from suggested words
– Problem report now includes system info
– Handle crash on navigating from main page
– Fixed feature tracking for analytics
  • Last SearchScope used is now persistent
  • Fixed search when a search term is picked from suggested words
  • Problem report now includes system info
  • Handle crash on navigating from main page
  • Fixed feature tracking for analytics

Call For Windigo Beta Testers

Windigo is a windows phone app. It lets you access your Diigo bookmarks on the go from your windows phone. You can browse, edit and create new bookmarks. Search your and other’s (public) bookmarks. Drill-down using tags. Share your bookmarks with your friends.

I have completed developing this app and I would like to get it in the hands of a few more people to get some additional feedback before I submit it in windows phone marketplace. If you have a windows phone and a windows live id, you can help with this. Your phone does not need to be a developer (unlocked) phone.

If you are interested, contact me.

Here is what I will do for you :

  • I will acknowledge your role in preparing Windigo for release.
  • Your name and a link to your website will appear in the credits page for Windigo.
  • I will return the favor.

    • Sideload Windows Phone

    1. Create your AppHub account here – http://create.msdn.com. Registration walk through is here.

    2. Unlock your phone – using PhoneReg.exe (usually) located here – “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows Phone\v7.0\Tools\Phone Registration\PhoneReg.exe”

    wp-Start-WPDevTools

    wp-dev-phone-registration

    3. Sideload xap into your phone. Use XapDeploy.exe (usually) located here – “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows Phone\v7.0\Tools\XAP Deployment\XapDeploy.exe”

    wp-app-deployment

    You can also deploy straight from Visual Studio to Windows Phone Device. Connect your phone to your computer.
    Make sure Visual Studio deployment target is “Windows Phone 7 Device” :

    wp-device-target

    From Toolbar, select Build, Deploy Solution.