Windows App Day November 23rd, Antwerp

The app market is exploding, first on Apple & Android, now Windows 8 is triggering the same App explosion on the Microsoft platform. To make sure you get the necessary coaching and insight don’t miss the first Windows App Day. The agenda has 2 tracks, for App Development, User Experience and Design and is packed with national and international speakers. All of them actively working on Apps, design & the web and ready to share their learnings and best practices. Join us and get inspired!

• All About Apps: Windows 8, Windows Azure, Windows Phone and WebApps
• After the 100% app keynote we split into two tracks: one focused on UX, designers and web experts; a second one for developers.
• Feel free to switch tracks during the day to compose the schedule of your taste. Find detailed info on the sessions and our speakers on our Windows App Day page!

Don’t miss this first Windows App Day on November 23rd!

Join us for the seaside Windows 8 Summer App-a-thon on July 12

The word is out: on July 12 we’ll be organizing the first of our Summer App-a-thons.  And it’s going to be a special, seaside app-a-thon, at the Belgian coast in Blankenberge.  What could be more inspiring for building great Metro-style apps than the sound of waves crashing into the beach, ice cream and a beautiful sunset!

We’re building upon the success of the coding night at the Windows 8 Developer Day and have a hackathon to build cool Metro-style apps.  So team up with your best UX or developer friend and form a killer app team, come alone or sign up with an entire group, whatever you want!

 

This seaside Summer App-a-thon promises to be an experience like N.O. O.T.H.E.R!   Hands on. Code. Build. Shine. Totally Windows 8. 

There will be 2 coding sessions: 1 for Day Birds from 10AM – 4PM and one for Night Owls from 6PM – 12AM. You have 3 registration options:

1. Only the Day Birds coding session
2. Only the Night Owls coding session
3. Both the Day Birds and the Night Owls session  

 

So if you’re a developer or UX designer, sign up right now to join us for an unforgettable experience!

Technical pre-requisites
– Familiarity writing either desktop apps, mobile applications or developing websites. Familiarity with either Javascript, C# or C++.
– Bring your own laptop: any device capable of running Windows 8 and Visual Studio Express
– Required software: 

Windows 8 Release Preview
Visual Studio 2012 RC
Windows 8 SDK samples

Sales@Night: Why do your customers need Apps on Windows 8 and Windows Phone?

21 June 2012 (17:30 till 20:00)

@ Microsoft Zaventem

Be the first to know and catch the opportunity of Metro-style applications in Windows 8 and Windows Phone. During this session, you’ll learn more about the platform and how to talk to your customers about the business advantages of these Metro-style apps.

IDC expects 2 million Belgian devices running Windows 8 by end of 2013. Make sure you are ready to surf this wave along with Microsoft; it’s the single largest opportunity for apps & the nr 1 platform in 2013!

This is not a deep-technical session, focus is sales.

Register now

 

Windows Store expanding to new markets including Belgium

Last week the Microsoft Windows Store blog announced an expansion of the Windows Store coming soon. By the next milestone of Windows 8, the preview release of Windows Store will include new markets and new languages.

Currently Windows Store includes five markets in Consumer Preview: France, Germany, India, Japan and the United States and China, as well as a “Rest of World” setting that all other regions get to see. By the next milestone Microsoft is adding 33 new developer submission locales, expanding the possible reach even more.

And there is good news for Belgian developers: in addition to being able to publish to the new markets, developers will also be able to target a Belgian market specifically.

>> To learn more, please read the official announcement post: Windows Store expanding to new markets.

For developers and companies in Belgium and Luxembourg we have several options to help you getting your apps ready. We have training events (online webcasts as well as hands-on sessions), App Clinics to discuss apps face to face and validation of the app through Excellence labs which is your ticket to a Windows Store token later in the process.

Don’t hesitate to join us at either step of the way:

1. Metro Map with all free events listed per date, make sure to register in time: http://www.microsoft.com/belux/msdn/metromap/metromap.html
2. App Clinics book a slot with an evangelist or consultant (your ticket to the App Excellence Lab) – note Belgium & Luxembourg only: http://www.microsoft.com/belux/msdn/metromap/appclinic.aspx
3. Discover how your application can be monetized in the Windows Store:
   • Selling apps in the Store: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps/br230836
   • Monetizing free apps with Microsoft Advertising SDK: http://advertising.microsoft.com/windowsadvertising/developer

Working on an app? Register Windows 8 App Clinics

Combining the broad reach of Windows, best-in-class developer tools, a reimagined user experience, support for new chipsets, and a built-in Store with industry-leading business terms – Windows 8 is the largest developer opportunity, ever.

But now what? In Belgium we have announced a series of developer camps, webcasts and MIC calls for projects. These activities will allow you to dive technically into the platform to support you in building apps. However, you probably need more.

What about testing on more than one device? What about discussing the best UX and experience to integrate with Metro? And most importantly, what about getting that access to the Windows Store and publish an app?
The answers are the App Clinics. Meet with the Microsoft Evangelists and consultants to discuss ideas, the app, architecture, the platform, UX and technical questions. It’s an open discussion and allows you to be ready for the next step: passing an App Excellence Lab with a Microsoft engineer, the last step before getting access to the Windows Store as a developer.

Are you actively working on a Windows 8 Metro app? Have an idea but are not sure what the next step is? Join us at an App Clinic and we’ll help you move to the next stage.

Register for upcoming Windows 8 Metro Style App events

Now is the time to register for the upcoming Windows 8 Metro Style Apps events.
In this post you can find a summary of the main activities, for which you can find an updated view on our Metro Map.

1. Windows Camps at Microsoft and the Innovation Centers
2. MIC Call for Projects Windows 8 Metro Style Apps: still a few seats
3. MSDN Webcasts
4. Community events

—

1. Windows Camps

• 20/04/2012, 09.00-21.00: Academic Windows 8 Day and coding.
  From Metro Style to app development, to launching and selling your Windows 8 app in the Windows Store. A full day of Windows 8, specifically for academic audiences.
  Where: Brussels VUB
• 4/26/201209.00-17.00, Windows 8 Coaching Camp – Managed code and XAML Apps
  Spend a full day learning and coding Windows 8 Metro Style apps. Learn hands-on how to leverage your XAML, Silverlight or WPF skills and ride the metro.
  Where: Business Faculty Brussels
• 30-May-2012, 09.00-17.00 – Windows 8 Coaching Camp – Metro Style apps with HTML and JavaScript
  A full-day mix of presentations and hands-on labs designed to share all the knowledge you need to start building Metro-style applications for Windows 8 by leveraging HTML and JavaScript.
  Where: Business Faculty Brussels

2. MIC Call for Projects Windows 8 Metro Style Apps: still a few seats

A Microsoft Innovation Center Call for Projects is a streamlined process to call for ideas, give you training and support going from technical to Metro Design guidelines and UX. In addition, by participating in a Call for Projects you have a privileged access to App Clinics (testing on devices, discussion of the app) which leads to a selection of apps to go through App Excellence Labs later in June. The Excellence Labs are currently the only ticket for getting Windows Store tokens.

While the first info session has already been done end of March, there is still an opportunity to register. Make sure you register for each of the sessions separately in order to secure your full project call attendance.

MIC Brussels Project Call (all in English)

1. 16 April, 2012 09:00 — 17 Apr 17:00 – Windows 8 Metro Style apps – Hands-on Session
   Two full days of sessions and hands-on labs to build a Windows 8 Metro Style app in C#/XAML or HTML/JavaScript.
   http://micbru.fikket.com/event/call-for-projet-windows-8-metro-style-apps-hands-on-session
2. April 24 2012 9:00 to 17:00 – Windows 8 Metro Style apps – Brussels – UX Workshops session 1 – http://micbru.fikket.com/event/mic-project-call-windows-8-metro-style-apps-brussels-ux-coaching-sessions—3
   Attention: date change!
3. 14 May, 2012 09:00 — 17:00 – Windows 8 Metro Style apps- UX Coaching session 2 – http://micbru.fikket.com/event/mic-project-call-windows-8-metro-style-apps-brussels-ux-coaching-sessions
4. 21 May, 2012 09:00 — 17:00 – Windows 8 Metro Style apps – Brussels – Developer Q&A session – http://micbru.fikket.com/event/mic-project-call-windows-8-metro-style-apps-brussels-developer-qa-session

MIC Mons Project Call (in French)

1. 19 avril 2012 09:00 — 20 avr. 17:00 – Windows 8 Metro Style apps – Appel à projets – Windows 8 Hands-on training : http://events.mic-belgique.be/event/windows-8-metro-style-apps-appel-a-projets–2
2. 9 mai 2012 09:00 — 10 mai 17:00 – Windows 8 Metro Style apps – Appel à projets – UX Coaching sessions : http://events.mic-belgique.be/event/windows-8-metro-style-apps-appel-a-projets–4
3. 16 mai 2012 09:00 — 17:00 – Windows 8 Metro Style apps – Appel à projets – Developer Q&A : http://events.mic-belgique.be/event/windows-8-metro-style-apps-appel-a-projets–5

3. MSDN Webcasts

• 24 April 2012, 14.00-15.30Windows 8 Metro Style Apps: How to build a great app
  Learn how to integrate the Metro Design Principles. As we’ll focus on UI and UX expect little code but lots of input on how to make your app great, whether you are a designer or a developer.
• 8 May 2012, 14.00-15.30MSDN Live Meeting: Continuous Integration using TFS11 & NuGet
  This session will provide you with guidance, tips and tricks on how you can take benefit from NuGet and TFS11 to take your CI environment to the next level.
  Speaker: Xavier Decoster

4. Community events

• 4/27/201214.00-17.30, Windows 8 Metro Style apps – Conférence technique
  Join this technical conference to discover the Windows 8 Metro Platform and how to take advantage of the cloud to build connected apps. (Session in French)
  Where: MIC Mons

• 8 May 2012 18:30 – 20:30, Belgian C++ UG: Writing Metro Style Apps in Native C++
  User Group session consisting of two talks: Introduction to Writing Metro Style Apps in Native C++ (Marc Gregoire) and Going Deeper Into Writing Metro Style Apps in Native C++ (Karthick Gopikrishnan)
  Where: Microsoft Zaventem
• 9-May-2012, 14:00 – 17:30 – Windows 8 Metro Apps & Cloud
  Spend half a day at the Windows 8 Technical Conference, and learn all about Cloud powered Windows 8 Metro apps.
  Where: MIC Brussels
• 10 May 2012, 18:00 to 21:00 – FEWEB Full Screen session: How You Can Build Apps For Windows 8 in HTML5
  We would like to share how you can benefit from your existing skills and leverage them for Windows 8. There is a big opportunity for companies building Metro apps for Windows 8. You will Also get to know how you can prepare yourself for Internet Explorer 10.
• 11-May-2012 – 09.00-17.30 – Windows 8 Camp – Hands on session
  Spend a full day learning and coding Windows 8 Metro Style apps. Learn how to leverage your HTML5 and JavaScript, or C# skills and ride the metro.
  Where: MIC Brussels
• 21 and 22 May 2012 – Multi-Mania 2012
  Join Metro workshops and sessions in the largest Belgian multimedia and web conference.
  Where: Kortrijk
• 30-May-12, 14.00-17.30 – Windows 8 Conférence Technique MIC Mons
  Assistez à cette conférence technique afin de découvrir Windows 8 Metro Platform et comment tirer avantage du cloud pour concevoir des applications.
  Session in French
  Where: MIC Mons
• 5-Jun-2012, 18.00 – 21.00 – AZUG: Taking a metro ride on Windows 8 and Windows Azure
  Let’s explore what Windows 8, WinRT and Windows Azure can do together, how you can publish your application and how you can get live diagnostics from your users. Dive into push notifications and modern slavery in the form of worker roles in this evening filled with two practical sessions!
  Where: CapGemini Diegem
• 8-Jun-2012, 14.00-17.30 – Technical Conference- Windows 8 Metro Apps & Cloud
  Spend half a day at the Windows 8 Technical Conference, and learn all about Cloud powered Windows 8 Metro apps.
  Where: MIC Brussels
• 21-Jun-2012, 09.00-18.00 – Community Day Windows 8 track
  Where: Mechelen Utopolis

But wait, there’s more! You’ll find some Summer Hackathons and more sessions on our online Metro Map. See you soon at one of our events or App Clinics.

Don’t miss on the developer opportunity. Combining the broad reach of Windows, best-in-class developer tools, a reimagined user experience, support for new chipsets, and a built-in Store with industry-leading business terms — Windows 8 is the largest developer opportunity, ever.

Windows 8 for ISVs: Looking back & Moving forward

Friday Last Week we gave the ISVs a peek on the possibilities of our new Windows Operating System, number 8 already! The location of our Win8 for ISVs event was Sportoase Leuven. Skies were blue as if it was mid-summer so I grabbed the opportunity (and bike) with two hands and left the car where it was. Arriving at the venue 8 minutes l8er it became clear we were not alone there. The Windows 8 developer day took place in the same building and BeLux developers were well represented during the technical tracks.

At 15:00 the ISV track took off with an introduction of Giorgio Sardo, providing a vision on the future with Windows 8. Knowing what the future can look like for your company is good, getting there is another thing. Nick Trogh, Christophe Van Mollenkot and Kurt Claeys provided these insights and showed the way to go.

Find the slides of these topics on our Skydrive:

• Metro Design – Your ticket to ride
• Selling your apps to millions of customers
• Devices and Services
• How to prepare your apps for Windows 8

This event was the Kick-off of a whole series of upcoming Windows 8 events/workshops/training. Check out the Windows 8 Metro Map and find out what’s still coming. Keep an eye on our blog to get the subscription info for these upcoming events.

In the meantime, get a first hand experience and download your free customer preview and SDK.

Get your Windows 8 Consumer Preview

I bet you are all ready for the hands on experience of Windows 8. Try the Windows 8 consumer preview and see for yourself how apps are at the center of Microsofts’ newest Windows OS.

Have your free Windows 8 preview here.

As Windows 8 is all about apps, we would like to give our Dev partners a heads up start and help you building your first Metro Style Apps. Hereunder you will find the info , the tools and the live SDK to back you up in creating stellar Apps. Time to start playing!

Explore the Documentation

Our docs are optimized to make you more productive. Discover everything you need to plan, build, and sell great apps.

Read the Developer Guide

Windows 8 Consumer Preview introduces many powerful features for developers. Discover the new features for Desktop, Web, and Metro style app developers.

Download the tools and SDK

Get the tools to build Metro style apps for Windows 8. Our free download includes Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express Beta for Windows 8 and Blend for Visual Studio 11 Beta to help jumpstart your project.

Is your company ready for Windows 8?

At the BUILD conference Microsoft showcased a detailed preview of Windows 8.  As Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division, stated it, “We reimagined Windows. From the chipset to the user experience, Windows 8 brings a new range of capabilities without compromise.”
Windows 8 will bring lots of great business opportunities for ISVs and we want to make sure that you are well prepared.  That is why we are organizing a unique Windows 8 event on March 23rd.  From the decision makers to the developers and to the geeks, we will present you with a fantastic line-up of speakers and content.

During the entire day your developers will learn all about how to build apps for Windows 8.  In the afternoon we invite the ISV decision makers to find out how Windows 8 can impact your business.

What can you do?  Mark Friday, March 23rd in your agenda and keep an eye on this blog for details on how to register for this event.

In the meantime, check out the Windows Dev Center and download the Windows 8 Developer Preview or visit the Building Windows 8 blog.