Points to consider before submitting an app to the Windows Phone Marketplace

This article intended to expose relevant points of guidance for those who want to test and submit applications on Windows Phone store.

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Compatibility

Platform(s): Windows Phone 7.5 and later

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Article

Keywords: Certification, Test Kit, Requirements

Created: saramgsilva (10 Feb 2013)

Introduction

The development of a Windows Phone application is in practice where a professional spends more time, however, nowadays the design of the UI and the test for application submission in the Store are points that need more attention by the professional. The quality of an application is a success factor. What you will learn:

• Testing XAP using Windows Phone Marketplace Test Kit
• Tips for Certification
• Official references for certification requirements
• An overview from the certification process

Testing XAP using Windows Phone Marketplace Test Kit

After the application development, it must be subjected for testing. The functional tests must be performed to ensure that the features are presented to the user accordingly. However, it should be taken into consideration all the features and requirements that Windows Phone requires.

Suppose that the application is in a state: "OK can be submitted." Being a bit pragmatic, is it really ready to submit? Didn?t you forget something?

In order to confirm that the application is actually completed, use the "Windows Phone Marketplace Test Kit" to ensure that the minimum requirements are achieved. Often is the first filter in the detection of common problems / errors that usually occurs. This kit is included in the SDK, therefore is not necessary additional installation.

In Visual Studio 2012, on the top menu, in "Project" menu, can be found the "Open Store Test Kit" option

Alternatively, if you select the Windows Phone project (no matter if is a Windows Phone OS 7.1 or Windows Phone OS 8 project), click the right button of the mouse and then you will find the "Open Store Test Kit ..." option.

When opening Test Kit, you will realized the following:

Application Details, show the XAP's path that will be analyzed:

Important, the XAP file should be in Release mode, since only the applications in Release mode can be submitted.

You have to insert the image that will be displayed in the store as the pictures of the application instance, consider the example of Girl Geek Dinners application:

The images will be uploaded later in the submission process of the application.

Notice that we put the sample pictures for the various resolutions, as you can see in the following image:

Notes:

1. One recommendation that usually is done, is to create a folder with the name ArtWork, with all the images needed for the application.

Please note that the Images folder and Assets must then be included in the project application, as you can see in the following pictures:

The project will have the following aspect:

2. In ?Manifest? file is necessary to define some images that will be included in the XAP. The file is in the folder "Properties" under the name "WMAppManifest.xaml."

When you open this file, we will have an interface that allows us to set each image, we see the next picture which is the practical case of Girl Geek Dinners application.

Automated Tests allow to run the tests that will examine the XAP and required images, in automatic way.

For analyze with "Start Windows Phone Application Analysis" is recommend reading the Nokia Wiki Article: Techniques for memory analysis of Windows Phone apps

Manual Tests contains a list of tests that can be done and each one has the steps required to perform the test.

This list focuses on the requirements of the certification process, for this reason should not be ignored!

In conclusion, Windows Phone Marketplace Test Kit has three distinct tests that represent:

• Aplication Details: show the absolute path to the XAP file that is used for analyze and fields to insert the image that will be displayed in the store and the screenshots from the aplication.
• Automated Tests: Automatically checks possible errors.
• Manual Testes: A list of manual tests that can be checked.

And validate:

• Requirements for certification of the various images (screenshots, the application icons and background image);
• Capabilities
• Usage for Back button;
• Inappropriate use of the API;
• Memory usage and performance;
• Unexpected errors;
• The ?Manifest? file

Windows Phone Store Test Kit is a tool from Microsoft, the official article is: MSDN - Windows Phone Store Test Kit .

Tips for Certification

• The maximum size of the XAP package file is 225 MB;

• The <Title> element in the WMAppManifest.xml file must contain the application title. The <Title> element must not be empty. An application must include the application name, version information, and technical support contact information that are easily discoverable. Normally is created the About Page for show that information

• Images mandatory, have specific names and sizes to take in consideration;

• The app list icons and ?pin-to-start? icon should not be default/generalized Windows Phone icons: they should be your personalized icons. The app icons must accomplish with the mandatory dimensions.

• The app?s screenshots that you submit should not include any part of the emulator ? only the app content should be seen clearly. The screenshots must have the required dimensions and should be in non-transparent PNG format. Also note that graphically enhanced screenshots are not accepted.

• The application must not invoke native code via PInvoke or COM interoperability;

• XAP file must be in Release mode and cannot contain debugging symbols or output;

• If the if UltimateResourceFallbackLocation.Satellite is missing the applications certification fails, for solve it, add in AssemblyInfo.cs the following:

[assembly: NeutralResourcesLanguage("pt-PT", UltimateResourceFallbackLocation.Satellite)]

Note: In this case, is used "pt-PT" but is only an example.

• Application that supports devices with 256mb of memory, will be tested. If the application do not meet the requirements, it will fail in certification process.

• Go to settings and change the theme from Dark to Light or Light to Dark. Application content, such as text and visual elements, must be visible and legible regardless of the phone theme.

Official references for certification requirements

Is recommend reading the requirements of the certification process, which are divided into the following categories:

Last updates can be found in this article: App certification requirements change history for Windows Phone

An overview from the certification process

Source: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Community/Wiki/Points_to_consider_before_submitting_an_app_to_the_Windows_Phone_Marketplace

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Oily fish could prevent breast cancer - study

SCIENTISTS say they have found the first ?unequivocal evidence? that eating oily fish could help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

? Tests on mice points to benefit of omega-3

The researchers discovered that a life-long diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as oily fish like salmon and vegetable oils, could cut the growth of tumours by 30 per cent.

While studies have shown that omega-3 can help reduce the risk of heart disease, there has been conflicting evidence linking it to beneficial effects in cancer.

But the latest research, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, produced what scientists said was believed to be the first ?unequivocal evidence that omega-3s reduce cancer risk?.

Health campaigners said more research was needed to investigate how diet affects cancer risks.

For the latest study, the team from the University of Guelph in Ontario created ?transgenic mice? - genetically altered to naturally produce omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies and also to develop aggressive mammary tumours.

These mice were then compared to mice who were only genetically engineered to develop tumours.

The researchers found that the mice who produced omega-3 developed only two-thirds as many tumours as the other mice.

The tumours suffered by these mice were also 30 per cent smaller compared to the mice without omega-3 in their systems.

Professor David Ma, from the university?s Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, said: ?The difference can be solely attributed to the presence of omega-3s in the transgenic mice - that?s significant.

?The fact that a food nutrient can have a significant effect on tumour development and growth is remarkable and has considerable implications in breast cancer prevention.?

Breast cancer affects around 4,500 women in Scotland every year, with 1,000 deaths annually.

An increased risk of developing the disease has been linked to genetics and hormones in the body, as well as lifestyle factors such as alcohol, smoking and diet.

Diet

Prof Ma said their own findings on the potential impact of diet on breast cancer were significant.

?We show that lifelong exposure to omega-3s has a beneficial role in disease prevention ? in this case, breast cancer prevention,? he said.

?What?s important is that we have proven that omega-3s are the driving force and not something else.?

Many experts have long believed that diet may significantly help in preventing cancer.

But Prof Ma said that epidemiological and experimental studies to back up these claims had been lacking, and human studies were inconsistent.

?There are inherent challenges in conducting and measuring diet in such studies, and it has hindered our ability to firmly establish linkages between dietary nutrients and cancer risk,? he said.

?So we?ve used modern genetic tools to address a classic nutritional question.?

Prof Ma said he hoped that the study would lead to more research on using diet to reduce the risks of cancer.

?Prevention is an area of growing importance,? he said.

?We are working to build a better planet, and that includes better lifestyle and diet.

?The long-term consequences of reducing disease incidence can have a tremendous effect on the health-care system.?

James Jopling, director for Scotland at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: ?It is difficult to pin-point which dietary factors are important when it comes to breast cancer as we all eat a variety of different foods and our diet changes over time.

?It?s important to remember this experiment was done on mice and not humans.

?Much more work is needed before we?ll know how exactly diet influences breast cancer risk.

?What we do know is that nearly 4,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Scotland each year. We also know that women can reduce their risk of developing this disease by limiting their alcohol consumption, getting physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.?

Source: http://www.scotsman.com/oily-fish-could-prevent-breast-cancer-study-1-2806060

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Adele, 'Les Miserables' cast sing on Oscar stage

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? It was an extra starry, musical day at the Dolby Theatre.

Adele took the stage first Friday, followed by the cast of "Les Miserables," singing together of the first time.

Oscar nominees Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, along with co-stars Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham-Carter, Sasha Baron-Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit and Samantha Barks rehearsed their performances on the Oscar stage. They were backed by members of the musical's stage productions from London and Broadway.

"Les Miserables" director Tom Hooper sat in the front row of the theater as his cast sang together on stage.

Moments earlier, Adele dazzled the tiny audience of show workers with her performance of the James Bond theme "Skyfall."

She giddily remarked, "We're seated in the front row!"

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/adele-les-miserables-cast-sing-oscar-stage-020713244.html

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crystal cruises history, history NYK LINE, NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA ...

THE M/V HIKAWA MARU was operated by the NYK Line (now Crystal Cruises). She was the only Japanese passenger vessel to survive WW 2. In her 30 years of service, the HIKAWA MARU crossed the pacific 254 times, carrying around 25,000 passengers and a great volume of cargo.

5 Stars Rating: Crystal Cruises maintains the great glamor,?first class standards and?excitement?of ocean travel. ? When getting there was half the fun. ?

Crystal Cruises Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK Line,? currently has two large, luxury-class cruise ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. These ships are highly regarded around the world, and the company has won the prestigious Travel & Leisure magazine?s World?s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line award for 16 consecutive years, an unprecedented achievement in the industry.? Cruising The Past awards the Crystal Cruises one of the best and most reliable cruises lines operating. Carrying on the great tradition of the NYK Line.

A brief history of NYK Line??

Michael L. Grace is an authority on the history of NYK Line and trans-Pacific passenger services.

Cruise Ship History: JAPAN?S Trans-Pacific Liners ? Were the fastest between the US and Japan prior to World War II.

In 1935, at the invitation of Waseda University, the Yale University Baseball Team came to Japan from New Haven, Connecticut on NYK?s Tatsuta Maru , and returned aboard Asama Maru.? The team is seen with the captain and a ship?s officer.? Six years Japan and the USA would be at war.

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), which literally translates to the Japan Mail Steamship Company, was first created in 1885, the result of a sensible merger between two Japanese shipping companies, Yubin Kisen Mitsubishi Kaisha (The Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company) and Kyodo Unyu Kaisha (The Union Transport Company). Two red stripes were adopted for the new company?s house flag, symbolizing the mutual goodwill of both companies and the hope that their combined fleets would one day serve the entire world.

In due course, NYK Line became Japan?s national shipping company. Their subsequent passenger ships were given government-authorized mail-carrying status and therefore the highest priorities. The affixation was similar to the designation R.M.S. (for Royal Mail Ship) used by the most prominent British liners.

Historically, NYK Line opened the first regular Japan to the USA service in 1896 (the first arrival was met at Seattle with a 21-gun salute). They grew quickly. In 1901, just sixteen years after their formation, they already ranked as the seventh-largest shipping company in the world. A decade later, in 1911, an NYK freighter delivered the first cargo of trans-Pacific cherry tree saplings, a gift from the City of Tokyo to Washington, D.C. These same cherry trees line the banks of the Potomac to this day.

(Left: First and Second Class Accommodations aboard NYK Liners.)

One of Japan?s proudest periods in passenger shipping was the 1929 building of two of the finest and most luxurious ships ever to sail the Pacific Ocean ? the Asama Maru and Tatsuta Maru.? They were Japanese-designed and built, coming from the renowned Mitsubishi shipyard. At some 17,000 tons, they were then-traditional class-divided ships, and had provision for cargo as well as the all-important mails.

They were routed on NYK Line?s premier express service, regularly sailing from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kobe and Yokohama to Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their passenger areas were of the highest quality, much of it in traditional European style. There were polished woods, stained glass skylights, fine dining rooms, lounges, library, gift shop, hair salon, comfortable cabins and a swimming pool on deck. This was luxury cruising at its finest.

The Asama Maru was the first to enter service in 1929 and she soon set the record for the fastest crossing of the Pacific on the Yokohama to San Francisco route. Her sister, the Tatsutu Maru entered service in 1930. In 1936 the Tatsutu Maru become the first merchant ship to pass under the new Bay Bridge linking San Francisco and Oakland.

They were routed on NYK?s premier express service, regularly sailing between Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kobe, Yokohama, Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Yokohama to San Francisco, for example, took 15 days. Fares by the late 1930s started from $190 in second class and from $315 in first class. Their passenger areas were of the highest quality, much of it in traditional European style. There were highly polished woods, stained glass skylights, fine dining rooms, lounges, a library, a gift shop, hair salon, comfortable cabins, and a swimming pool on deck. This was luxury cruising at its finest.

Their First Class accommodations were especially fine and attracted such notable passengers as Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin and his wife Paulette Goddard, Helen Keller and Efrem Zimbalist.

The Asama Maru was the first to enter service in 1929. She soon set record for fastest crossing of Pacific on Yokohama-San Francisco route.? The Tatsuta Maru entered service in 1930. One of the notable moments in her career was in 1936 when she became the first merchant ship to pass under the bridge (length of the main structure, 6.8 km; width, 19.8 m), linking San Francisco and Oakland.

Ceremonies of the opening were held at 11:10 a.m. on the 12th November 1936, on the Oakland side, and at 11:40 a.m. on the San Francisco side. Shortly after noon the Tatsuta Maru passed under the bridge in view of the many thousands of people who had gathered to witness the opening of the bridge for traffic from vantage points on the San Francisco side of the bay. Until the completion of the Seto-Ohashi in Shikoku, Japan, the Bay Bridge between San Francisco and Oakland had been the longest in the world.

In 1937 the Asama Maru suffered a mishap when she was driven aground in Kowloon Bay during the Great Hong Kong Typhoon.

After the outbreak of the Second World War both ships were requisitioned as troopships but unfortunately both were sunk and did not survive the war and it was left to the Hikawa Maru to re-establish the trans-pacific service.

Source: http://cruiselinehistory.com/five-star-crystal-cruises-carries-on-deluxe-passenger-traditions-of-the-great-nyk-line/

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ASUS MeMo Pad Smart 10 flaunted in YouTube trailer

ASUS has gotten into the habit of quietly releasing info about its new MeMo Pads, and to continue that trend, has snuck a trailer for the 10-inch model onto YouTube. The vid talks up various aspects of the MeMo Pad Smart 10, including its 1.2GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 5-megapixel rear shooter, 10-inch IPS display (1,280 x 800) with 178-degree viewing angle and SonicMaster audio tech, as well as some bundled software. Alongside "the metallic miracle," we're likely to see the tablet on the MWC floor in its pink, white and dark grey outfits. Before we get our hands on it, though, check out said trailer below to see if ASUS can sell you on hardware that lacks the frenzy-inducing Nexus branding.

Update: Just to be clear, the MeMo Pad Smart 10 is currently available in Europe and other territories, and is expected to cost around $299 when it launches Stateside.

Filed under: Tablets, ASUS

Comments

Source: ASUS (YouTube)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/21/asus-memo-pad-smart-10-trailer/

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Video: College towns doubling as retirement communities

>>> we here have learned this week a full third of americans say now they're not saving nearly enough money to prepare for retirement. the problem, of course, is just the cost of daily life and keeping up with it. but for those who are lucky enough, the traditional plan involves taking it easy, ideally, after working hard. not everybody fits that mold, of course. and a growing number of retirees are moving to some unlikely places. some heading back to school and making quite an arrival on campus in the process. our report tonight from nbc's chris jansing .

>> reporter: on most saturday afternoons during football season, bonnie and denny seabert do what they love most, cheering on the ole miss rebels with family and friends in oxford, mississippi.

>> we came down for football and enjoyed it so much, there was so much to do, right, den?

>> every night there is something to do. almost too much to do if you're retired.

>> reporter: they're part of a growing number of older adults who are redefining retirement, but moving to college communities.

>> university towns often become retirement towns, because lots of culture, lots of athletics, lots of fun things to do.

>> reporter: that's exactly why the seaberts moved from illinois. for a chance to stay active, volunteer, and keep learning. colleges are paying attention. by 2020 , nearly 54 million americans will be over 65. so literally, hundreds of colleges are offering discounted and even free to youician to those older students.

>> how are you?

>> i'm fine.

>> reporter: pomona college in southern california is one of them.

>> the seniors and their questions and reactions to the class material can model a different approach to the material, and therefore really deepen what -- deepens what happens in class. the war of the spanish succession --

>> reporter: and for the seniors themselves, research shows lifelong learning can improve their health.

>> an active involvement of the brain. that can also be really important for slowing down and decreasing the chances of something like dementia or cognitive decline.

>> reporter: and back at ole miss , retired navy captain david dike summarizes what may be the biggest draw for seniors.

>> then we'll break out the wine and cheese.

>> reporter: college makes him feel young again.

>> quite frankly, i wouldn't look forward to a situation where i'm sitting around with a bunch of folks my age comparing which pills we're all taking.

>> it was published in 2007 .

>> that's it.

>> reporter: comparing notes instead. and heading off to class, not into the sunset.

>> well, lots of great stuff.

>> reporter: chris jansing , nbc news, new york.

>>> by the way, there's a lot more information on all of this on the entire series. it is on our website effective tonight. we are

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50880368/

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Rubery couple celebrate diamond wedding anniversary

Rubery couple celebrate diamond wedding anniversary

1:10pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

A ROMANTIC Rubery couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Valentine?s Day.

Jean and David Hancox, from Gannow Road, marked the major milestone of 60 years of marriage on Thursday, February 14.

The happy pair first met through a mutual friend and went on a blind date together in August 1951.

They were married at St Bartholomew?s Church, Northfield, on a snowy day in 1953 and have one son, Peter, and two grandchildren, Adam and Emma.

Mr Hancox is the former chairman of Bromsgrove District Council and his wife Jean has represented the Sidemoor ward as a councillor.

The diamond couple said their secret to a long and happy marriage was working together over the years and always respected each other?s views.

They marked the anniversary with a family lunch at the Chateau Impney Hotel in Droitwich.

Source: http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/news/10237465.Rubery_couple_celebrate_diamond_wedding_anniversary/?ref=rss

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