How do I remove third-party tiles from Microsoft Band? - windows-phone-8.1

I have a Windows Phone 8.1 app which adds a tile to a Microsoft Band (version 1). Unfortunately it won't work because there are already too many 3rd party tiles added by other apps which I can't remove with the SDK (using the band client's TileManager.RemoveTileAsync() method)
There is a similar question discussing this topic here: Microsoft Band tiles which suggests that the Microsoft Health app has some way of getting a list of 3rd party tiles that may not necessarily use the SDK (I can't use the Microsoft Health app in this case).
Is there any way that I can remove 3rd party tiles using the SDK?

No, the Band SDK limits applications to interacting only with the Tiles that they, themselves, have created.
The Microsoft Health application has the ability to remove any 3rd-party Tile because, if it didn't, users would not have a means to do so if the application adding the Tile had, for example, been previously uninstalled.
If your application finds that the user's Band does not have space for an additional Tile, the application should instruct the user to use the Microsoft Health application to remove a sufficient number of Tiles and then return to your application to try again.

Related

Criteria for 'with Live Tile' sign in Store for Windows Phone Store app

In Windows Phone Store for Windows Phone 8.1 OS are applications with or without the with Live Tile sign under logo in app overview.
Which criteria must the application meet to be detected by Store as it supports Live Tile?
I know that the answer should be obvious – it must support Live Tile, but it is not as simple as it looks like. My app is not detected as it supports Live Tile.
It calls PushNotificationChannelManager.CreatePushNotificationChannelForApplicationAsync, uploads the PushNotificationChannel.Uri to the server and the server sends tile updates via WNS. The tile is regularly updated.
It contains all scales of all visual assets.
Contacted MSFT Support:
There is no explicit check. The flag is set during manual instigation
of the app in the publishing process.
As the app submission has been changed to publish your app immediately, this flag will only come up once your app is manually checked. That usually only happens some days after your app is published and only in rare cases for updates (or when somebody complains about your app).
Also: The tester has to notice that there is a live tile. If it comes through push or there is no data at the moment of testing or it requires a specific setup, that will just not be visible.
I recommend hinting your live tile in the certification notes field (under describe your package) to make sure the tester is informed that you have a live tile option.
Most probably the Store show the with Live Tile tag for Silverlight (XAP) apps but not for Store (Runtime) apps.

How to deploy private apps to Windows Phone?

I'm looking to buy a Windows Phone smartphone, and am looking into the possibility for 'deploying' private apps. I currently own an Android system, and it's a simple as building an APK file, and adding it to the filesystem of any phone I want to install it on.
I realize there have been some questions around this subject 1, 2, 3. They seem to say you either need a developers account, or an enterprise edition. These questions are old, and possibly outdated. I've tried to find more information on the topic, but all I could find was related to enterprise, or beta testing.
I have no interests in getting a developer's account, because I don't intend to develop or sell larger applications on the marketplace. It's mostly for private use.
If there is no way to do this by default (without paying any fees), are that alternatives that don't involve losing warranty?
You can register yourself in Windows App Studio and you will get to unlock one phone for development and side load up to 2 apps.
Currently that is the only way to put custom apps in your Windows Phone for free and without losing warranty.
If you, however register for a developer accout (which as you know has costs) you will be able to side load up to 10 apps in 3 different devices.

Deezer SDK for Windows Phone?

When is Windows Phone 8 (WP8) SDK going to be released?
I have studied and prototyped Deezer API with 30s previews but I would like to get access to streams itself.
I would appreciate early access even to alpha/beta if available... Thanks in advance.
First, non of our SDKs let's you access the full music stream. Our JavaScript/iOS/Android SDK give you the permission to play full tracks - according to user's right.
Are you looking for playing the full track length, or access the Stream to for a specific usage ?
We do not share plans about a "Windows Platform" SDK availability.
Meantime, you can follow my unofficial SDK on GitHub Deezer Unofficial SDK.
It does not includes full song playback, and right now, the list of methods covered are very light, but I'll add support for more methods in the following weeks. You can also raise an issue if you need something, or create a pull request.

Windows Phone 8 maps - licence uncertainty

I plan developing Windows Phone 8 map application and think of using standard wp8 maps (Nokia) and map controls. It will be a fleet maagement/customers' devices location control application.
May I use standard maps used in wp8 and classes such as Microsoft.Phone.Maps, Microsoft.Phone.Maps.Controls?
On the first side, on the page
http://developer.nokia.com/lumia/nokia-apis/mapping
there is info:
Developers can use the APIs and library for any applications published
in Windows Phone Store.
The Windows Phone 8 Maps API and HERE
launchers are available free of charge for all developers.
But on the other side, when you enter "full terms and conditions" there is point 3 "Use Restrictions" where we can find like
You may not: (...)
use the Mapping APIs for business asset tracking, fleet management, or dispatch;
use the Mapping APIs in connection with any internal business application which (a) is directly related to the operation of your
core business or the core business of your customers, and (b) the
sole users of such application are your employees, contactors or
customers;
Does it mean my fleet maagement/customers' devices location control application can't use any Microsoft maps control code? (even with tiles from other source like OSM) If so, what are the other options/libraries?
Your application CAN use the Windows Phone 8 Maps API, but CAN'T use the Mapping APIS. Those are two different APIs: the first one is what you need to use (show points, routes, etc.), the second one is to create a map image, I mean, create roads, avenues, etc.

Adhoc distribution of Windows Phone 8 apps

I am in process of developing app for windows phone 8. I need the adhoc distribution of my app to all devices within the organization. I don't want to publish it on the market instead i want the installation of app on the devices within the organization.
Do i need to buy another account for adhoc distribution or i can use the same $99 account for adhoc distribution of app.
Thanks in advance.
Well there are multiple ways to distribute apps,
Directly via Visual Studio or XAPDeploy (however the device must be developer unlocked, and connected via usb)
Via the normal Store/Marketplace
Via Store/Marketplace, with "Hide from users browsing or searching the Store" so that only users with the direct link to the store can find the app
Via Beta app distribution
edit: beta apps now do not have a 3 month limit anymore. Only restriction is, that you can "only" have 10000 users and each users email must be manually added for them to be able to download the beta
Company app distribution, which is likely what you are looking for. (However this seems to be relatively difficult) More information here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsphone/develop/jj206943(v=vs.105).aspx
Edit: I missed this one: Using "Windows Intune Direct Management for Windows Phone 8 Mobile Devices"
There are no other ways I know of.