So one of the first questions raised by application developers, is typically how can I get started with app development on Ultrabook™ - well here are some excellent pointers.
Some months ago CodeProject, instigated an AppInnovation Contest (AIC) for Ultrabooks, while the contest is now over, several quality apps were submitted with some serious awards. As part of the judging, there was a clear emphasis on both showing off hardware sensor capabilities and coming up with something innovative, participants were requested to write up an article that teaches others what was learned about writing applications for the Ultrabook™, i.e. how was the app developed with the tools and sensors available on the platform.
For those not familiar with the CodeProject AIC and the quality of these articles, I would like to provide a short flavor with links to some of the more interesting write-ups.
How does one develop an Ultrabook™ app? Well Abhishek Nandy wrote an award winning article: Ultrabook Development My Way on how to get started. Like what is an Ultrabook™, what sensors are available, what steps do you need to follow to get your app posted on the Windows Store or the Intel AppUp site and what tools do you need to get started developing Windows* apps on Ultrabook™ - all great information for the new Ultrabook™ developer.
Now with that out of the way, here’s a quick look at two specific apps and their features:
· Some game developers utilized the lesser known multi-platform App Game Kit (AGK) that is available in C++ and a proprietary Tier 1 or Tier 2 language that caters from beginners to expert C++ developers. The AGK exports compiled code to a number of platforms such as Windows*, iOS*, Android*, etc. In addition to becoming familiar with the AGK, Ultrabook™ app game developers must also understand how to best utilize the currently available eight sensors on the UltraBook™ (Near Field Communication, Geolocation, Compass, Gyrometer, Inclinometer, Orientation, Light Sensor & Multitouch), and also possibly develop simulators for these sensors to validate their app. The article written by Steve Vink, Lets just Play is a great intro on developing gaming apps for the Ultrabook™ using AGK.
· Mapping - How can an app take full advantage of the larger & faster storage model (SSD) on the Ultrabook™ (vs. mobile handhelds) as well as available sensors that can truly put these platforms to test that’s usually reserved for games. Well Thomas Willwacher’s article LocalStreetLMaps has a solution, all by using the subset of the 300GB OpenStreetMap database it is possible to develop a map viewer with similar features to Google*/Bing* maps while running on an Ubuntu* server in VMware*.
I encourage readers to take a look at some of the apps and excellent write-ups on the CodeProject sites:
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/ultrabooks/
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/ultrabooks/#App+Innovation+Contest+Entries
http://www.codeproject.com/competitions/611/Ultrabook-Article-competition
Icon Image:
