Nikita Polyakov

While I got spoiled with how nice it was to use Zune Desktop to Sync my rented Zune Pass (now Xbox Music) music files to my Windows Phone 7.x version – the new method for Windows Phone 8 was simply not adequate for this task. It does how ever provide a quick way to backup my full resolution photos to my local hard drive (knowing that the Windows Phone 8 does it’s own backup to my SkyDrive now really makes me sound like a dinosaur :)

Windows Phone app for desktop is finally out of beta:

Official Blog Post: Improved Windows Phone App for Desktop now available

http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2013/05/29/improved-windows-phone-app-for-desktop-now-available.aspx

Make sure to grab the latest version yourself and update yours today! This version will let you know and update itself next time here is one, not more manual updates.

And finally if this is not “cutting it” then as the blog suggest - “If you’re new to Windows Phone 8 and need some help figuring out the best sync strategy, our online wizard can help point you in the right direction.”

DO NOT MISS THIS 5/21 6PM : Special Tampa WPUG meeting - How I became a Millionaire writing apps!

If you are in Tampa the night of 5/21 you should not have any excuses not to show up to this event. There should not even be any giveaways (especially this awesome) because I am sure this will be a sold out event. Be there (early) or be square.

http://tampawpugmay21.eventbrite.com/

• Tampa Windows Phone User Group
   
• Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT)

I am happy to say that one of my good friends, not only to me but to our entire developer community, is Bill Reiss. Clearly I am not the only one that noticed and Nokia has awarded him with Nokia Developer Ambassador title for Southeast US region. This will empower Bill to help Developers ever more. Join me in congratulating Bill in his achievement.

If you are in Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida there is a great giveaway for writing a Windows Phone app waiting for you - more details here: http://www.billreiss.com/big-southeast-nokia-ambassador-giveaway/

Code Camp season is in full swing in Florida. I will be speaking at Orlando Code Camp 2013 on March 16th 2013.

Here is my session list:

11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

WP8: PushNotification + LiveTiles - Nikita Polyakov

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

WP8: NFC and App-to-App Communication- Nikita Polyakov

Register for this FREE event and view the Agenda here: http://orlandocodecamp.com/Home/Agenda

To note a few other speakers you would NOT typically find in Florida that I am excited to see:

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Crash Course In Windows 8- Jesse Liberty

10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Crash Course in Win 8 Part 2- Jesse Liberty

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM

Custom Controls and More in Modern UI- Atley Hunter

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

Designing for Windows 8- Brent Schooley

The agenda is delightfully challenging to pick a session to go to in one time slot. I am looking forward to connecting with you at this event!

If you want to find out how to check/update your Windows Phone 7.x to Windows Phone 7.8 check this out:

Software Update for Nokia Lumia with Windows Phone 7.8

http://www.nokia.com/global/support/software-update/lumia-software-update/

[These instruction are not Nokia specific and work on every Windows Phone 7.x]

For those who have been waiting to update their Windows Phone 7.x applications to take advantage of what Windows Phone 7.8 has to offer (New Live Tiles), the SDK including the new Emulators is now available.

To manage expectations: This is really about all this SDK Update gives you – ability to test new Live Tiles until the phone OS Updates start rolling out for actual devices.

Direct download link: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=36474

Official Blog Post explaining how to leverage the New Live Tiles sizes in Windows Phone 7.8 SDK:
http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2013/01/22/now-available-windows-phone-sdk-update-for-7-8.aspx

UPDATE:
Get your Windows Phone 7.x Device Updated to 7.8 - How to Update to Windows Phone 7.8

It was a great honor and pleasure to attend and kick-off the first SMUG last year.

We are back at it this year:

Southern Most User Group 2013

Feb 6-8th

Waterfront Marriott Courtyard in Key West Florida
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/eywcy-courtyard-key-west-waterfront/

Details & Registration:
http://new.efficientcoder.net/2012/11/announcing-smug-season-ii.html 

This event is strategically just days before South Florida Code Camp 2013 
http://www.fladotnet.com/codecamp/

• Want to see Windows Phone 8 in person yourself?
• Want see me present a few features live?
• Want to come chat in person after?

Come by Microsoft Store at The Florida Mall in Orlando, FL on Saturday Nov 17th 2012 at 6-7PM.

I will be presenting the Windows Phone 8 OS (no developer content)

If you come see this presentation and fill out a survey after you get to be in the drawing for Asus VivoTab RT (see official rules)

Let me know if you are coming by! Would love to chat :)      
Event is also posted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/167104910079987

UPDATE: Developer Nights at Windows Store Orlando featuring @devfish and @spboyer - starting Nov 15 - http://t.co/5PIPPN87 #fldev

Attendee Survey to win the Asus Windows 8 RT tablet - click here

Yesterday, the new Windows Phone 8 was announced!

Find out more about the cool new OS and the new devices supporting it at www.WindowsPhone.com

Today at BUILD conference in Redmond, WA – Microsoft has announced general availability of the Developer SDK for Windows Phone 8!

Get the SDK and more info in the dev center: http://dev.WindowsPhone.com

Also watch the Windows Phone Developer blog.

Also this is the best time to join the Windows Phone Store for just for $8 for next 8 days.

I am pleased to announce Tampa Code Camp 2012 is being co-hosted with Bar Camp Tampa Bay this year in Tampa, FL on October 13th 2012 at USF Main Campus beautiful Business buildings.

“CodeCamp is a FREE one-day meeting forum that allows software developers to share their knowledge and experience with Microsoft products and services. It’s similar to Tech-Ed, but community-driven by a group of dedicated volunteers and speakers while financially supported through generous sponsors and local businesses.”

As one of the organizers, I will not be speaking, but instead helping MC the Component Vendor ShowDown - a special track dedicated to battling out the best components organized by focus application rather then firm. Check out the ShowDown track in the Agenda.

WHEN: Saturday, October 13, 2012, 730AM – 545 PM

WHERE: USF - Tampa Campus, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620

REGISTRATION: http://www.tampacodecamp.com

COST: FREE