Everyone loves naming conventions and product code names :) I’ve see a few people mislead by blogs and so called “.com press” to the point of confusion about what Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh and Windows Phone SDK 7.1.1 actually are in reality.

So let’s clarify:

Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh – is the name of the refresh update to Windows Phone OS that allows for broad reach to new markets and languages, previously not supported in Windows Phone 7.5 OS. This update also provides support for market specific hardware running 256MB of RAM. Finally the 7.5 Refresh provides integration to market specific alternatives to Facebook and Twitter for regions that primarily use those instead. Outside of those updates to the feature set, this OS is identical to Windows Phone 7.5 and should not affect your current phone or it’s usage.

Windows Phone SDK 7.1.1 Update – is the name of the update to the SDK for Windows Phone that provides emulators to test your application with new languages and regions, as well as new 256MB and 512MB emulator images as part of the Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh. Outside of those changes and some bug fixes, the SDK is feature identical to Windows Phone SDK 7.1 and most applications written with 7.1 will run on Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh OS. Few applications that have been identified as using more memory have had their developers notified by Microsoft. I encourage you to test your application yourself, just to be sure. It is your choice if you do not plan on releasing your application in Global marketplace or choose to not provide your application in markets supporting Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh or specifically identify that your application requires are high-memory device. Note that this is an Update to the 7.1 SDK, so be sure you have that installed. More Info (Also this update is needed if you are running Windows 8 Consumer Preview)

If you have any questions please comment or spark a conversation on twitter @NikitaP

One of my favorite Code Camps, and not only because it’s only an hour or so away, but because it’s Orlando, Florida!

session name:

Metro Design Language - WP7 & Windows "8"

speaker:Nikita Polyakov   

level:100   

description:
Metro Design Language key concepts and ideas around Metro design as it is used in Windows Phone, Windows "8", and even XBOX. We will take a look at different templates available for each platform.

AND

name: Intro to Dynamic Prototyping w/ SketchFlow

 

speaker: Nikita Polyakov

 

level: 100

 

description:

Learn basic ideas around prototyping interactive experiences using Microsoft Expression Blend SketchFlow. Learn how this will increase quality of your product, help ALM and even improve Sales.

attend

 

Speaking of Metro Design – check out their website, it’s amazing!
Also, besure to grab "Orlando Code Camp" App for your Windows Phone!

As always it’s completely FREE - over 600 peope have aleady registered!

72 sessions and 54 speakers

Seminole State College (100 Weldon BLVD, Sanford, FL 32773)

Be sure to head on over to http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2FOrlandoCodeCamp%2Ecom&urlhash=MxFb&_t=tracking_anet to sign up!

Tell your friends, and see you there!

It’s this time again - the conference speaking season! I am very excited about seeing everyone again and the new topics we will discuss and learn together.

Come see me speak and engage in person at these two FREE events:

1.

S.M.U.G. Annual Meeting
Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (ET)
Key West, FL

RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2556380202

Nikita Polyakov - “Radical Change in how we consume software”

Full Event Description with few people meeting starting at 1PM:
http://www.sherlocktech.com/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=1365

2.

South Florida Code Camp 2012
Event Date: February 18, 2012 7:30 am - 5:45 pm

RSVP & Details: http://www.fladotnet.com/codecamp/

Nikita Polyakov - Design your apps in the Language of Metro

Nikita Polyakov - Interactive Prototyping with SketchFlow

Happy New Year! I am excited to be speaking at the first meeting in 2012 for the Tampa Bay Windows Phone 7 User Group

As usual at Tampa WP7UG there is a jump start session for beginners before the meeting:
5:30PM An Intimate intro to WP7 Development with a local MVP Kevin Wolf in room 1, or a work session in the main room.

Come on by early to hangout with other developers or attend the intro sessions.

Here is the description of my presentation starting at 6:30PM:

Live Tiles, Toasts and Push Notifications

Nikita Polyakov
Microsoft MVP
Windows Phone Dev

Register at: http://wp7jan2012.eventbrite.com

Learn how to build Live Tiles and use Toast Notifications.
Also understand how Microsoft Push Notifications Service works.
Birthday Party.

Biography:

Nikita Polyakov (www.NikitaPolyakov.com ) is a Microsoft Windows Phone Developer MVP and has been a long time community voice for most things mobile from Microsoft in the local developer community in Florida and online. Nikita helped and co-chaired many local user groups and community initiatives. A success story of Microsoft Student Partner program, Nikita won many awards including Student Partner of the Year for his work at University of South Florida where he passionately shared his knowledge with fellow students.
Calling Tampa,FL his home – Nikita is currently working for AgileThought as a Senior Consultant helping many local and national customers realize their full potential with quality custom software consulting and development. Starting out working for numerous technology companies in Tampa Bay Area and running his own small MSP and ISV Company enjoyed working with small businesses and start-ups, Nikita became extremely passionate about power of software.

Nikita's Links:

http://www.NikitaPolyakov.com

http://www.twitter.com/NikitaP

http://www.linkedin.com/in/nikitapolyakov

https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Nikita.Polyakov

http://www.AgileThought.com

This is very exciting for anyone close to Tampa Bay, FL

Tampa Bay WinDev Meeting #1: Intro to Metro UI

Our first meeting as Tampa Bay WinDev (formerly known as Tampa Bay Silverlight) will show off the new Metro UI (Windows vNext) as well as will have local (again) development speaker (and celebrity) John Papa. John will take us through the beginnings of Metro Development.

Additionally this is our kickoff meeting for the new group so we will also have some additional information on what this group is all about.

We will also have food and drinks at the meeting (although we are still looking for a sponsor).

Please RSVP to this always FREE event here: http://tbwindev11.eventbrite.com

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (ET)

Been waiting to get some Apps in the Marketplace? Had that developer account sitting with no apps?
Here is some motivation - are you ready to Mango?

Your Apportunity to Win!

1 app = 1 entry to win
a Samsung Series 7 Slate!

• For every Windows Phone Mango App you submit you'll be entered for a chance to win 1 of 5 Samsung Series 7 Slates.

5 apps = 1 entry to win
Free advertising for 1 app of your choice!

• For every 5 apps you submit you’ll also be entered for a chance to win free advertising on the Windows Phone App Network for 1 app of your choice.

It's easy to enter!

• Publish your new Windows Phone Mango apps between October 15, 2011 and December 31, 2011 to the Windows Phone Marketplace.
• Submit your entry to enter the Go Mango! Apportunity Sweepstakes. Enter code: NPOLY

Remember, the more you apps you publish, the more chances you have to win.

There are a limited number of prizes so don’t delay! Go Mango and Good Luck!

[New US developers ONLY with no previous apps in Marketplace before Oct 15th 2011 - complete rules click here]

Join me and Oleg Sych from AgileThought at Tallahassee Code Camp this weekend!

Register for this FREE event online: TallyCodeCamp.org

• Design Language of Windows Phone & Windows "8" by Nikita Polyakov
Prototyping w/ SketchFlow by Nikita Polyakov
• Introduction to ASP.NET Dynamic Data by Oleg Sych
• Introduction to Code Generation with T4 and Visual Studio by Oleg Sych
• Agile Estimation and Project Planning by Oleg Sych

Many other exciting sessions are being presented this year including Windows Phone 7.5, SQL, Azure, Silverlight.

As always I am looking forward to meeting attendees, other speakers and organizers.

USA:

http://mango.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/features/update-schedule-usa.aspx 

World:

http://mango.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/features/update-schedule-world.aspx

I am happy to help announce the release and roll-out of Windows Phone 7.5

Starting today, updates to will be rolled-out in a phased approach by carriers across the world.   
    
WHERE IS MY UPDATE?     
   
See here: http://mango.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/features/update-schedules.aspx 

Highlights:

• Yes, every original Windows Phone 7 will be getting an update. [Once the carrier has completed their testing.]
• Wi-Fi tethering up to 5 devices [*If supported by your carrier.]
• You will now be able to change your keyboard input to any supported language, the language of the OS still remains the original OS Language that the phone shipped with.
• Visual Voice Mail [*If supported by your carrier.]
• T-Mobile will launch world’s first 4G Windows Phone this year – HTC Radar 4G on the T-Mobile network.

Full list of new features is listed here: http://mango.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/start/whats-new-in-windows-phone.aspx 

How will the new apps work?

Existing Windows Phone 7 applications will continue to run un-interrupted on the new OS. But they will not automatically gain the new features, unless updated by the developer.

Microsoft has opened submission and certification of the Windows Phone 7.5 application taking advantage of the new APIs and features so you can be sure that many of your applications are already ready.

New Phones will be annouced by carriers

New Online Windows Phone experience

My Phone updated over at www.WindowsPhone.com 

Find, Lock, Ring, Erase My Phone

Web accessible Marketplace and Over-the-air Installation

A new web-based Marketplace for apps and games is now available thought your web-browser. You will not be able to find and install applications on your computer and install on your phone without actually touching your phone or tethering - over-the-air.

Easy Re-Installation of Application and History

I am glad that the new features will very soon be on every headset out there!

Excited to come speak at JaxCodeCamp this coming weekend, there are many amazing session and speakers!

Jacksonville .NET Code Camp - http://jaxcodecamp.com

What: All day geek fest focusing on code and not marketing fluff.
When: Saturday, August 27, 2011 All day (registration opens at 7:00am)
Where: Univeristy of North Florida - 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville FL 32246
Cost: Free!

Sessions will range from informal "chalk talks", hands on labs, to presentations. All are welcome to attend and speak. We will have a mix of speakers ranging from MVPs, Regional Directors, Authors, and most importantly, local developers like you! Thanks to the generosity of our contributors we will be able to provide breakfast, snacks, lunch, and LOTS and LOTS of SWAG.

I hope you come our and meet some of our team and myself.

Here are the sessions you will see from some “Agile-Thought-Thinkers”:

8:15 AM Design language of Windows Phone & Windows 8

by Nikita Polyakov + Show Description

10:15 AM Introduction to ASP.NET Dynamic Data

by Oleg Sych + Show Description

12:15 PM Interactive Prototyping with SketchFlow

by Nikita Polyakov + Show Description

1:15 PM Continuous Integration with TFS

by Esteban Garcia + Show Description