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Thursday, June 26, 2014

Displaying Static HTML data in Windows Phone 8


If you want to display static HTML in Windows Phone 8 App, Web Browser control seems to be the only available default control. If Web Browser control is not acceptable, then another option is to use the FixedHTMLTextBlock from an external library called mytoolkit. The library is a free download through CodePlex, but the easier option is to download it from Visual Studio project using NuGet. 

 Here are the steps to do it -

  • Search, download & reference mytoolkit & mytoolkit.extended from NuGet or CodePlex.

  • Add the following namespace to the XAML page
    xmlns:mytoolkit="clr-namespace:MyToolkit.Controls;assembly=MyToolkit.Extended"

  • Start using the FixedHtmlTextBlock in the XAML code as follows
    <mytoolkit:FixedHtmlTextBlock  Html="<Any Html Text>"/>


MyToolKit Library -

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posted by Shanmuganathan Sivaraj at 9:35 PM | 0 Comments





Monday, June 09, 2014

iWatch - Standalone device or accessory?


It has not been a week since Apple announced a slew of software updates, but people are already speculating about iWatch. Most of the analysts are seeing this as a new device category from Apple. But I would like to point out that even though it might be a new device from Apple, it will most probably be a complementary accessory to their existing iPhone, iPod, iPad or Mac.

The data generated from people's ever growing list of wish list for iWatch has to be stored somewhere. Considering the size & battery needs, the data is probably stored in the cloud rather than the device. So, it either has to use cellular, wireless or Bluetooth to transmit the data. How will the watch transmit data in places with no cellular or wireless signal? Also, of-course, a phone like data plan from a carrier for a cellular signal makes no business sense.

Now, let us look at the continuity feature of iOS 8. Apple can now transfer an incoming call from your nearby iPhone to your MacBook. This is probably done using Bluetooth technology like our hands-free headphones for driving. They also showed that if you are using your Mac in a location with no nearby Wi-Fi signal, it could use your iPhone to create a personal hotspot & connect to Internet using the cellular network.

Based on the above features you can create an accessory to monitor your body along with a Bluetooth microphone, speaker & a time display - an iWatch. I think such a device would be an accessory to an existing Apple product rather than a standalone device.

As usual, if the Apple marketing team makes the above-speculated device as a must have cool device, then Apple might hit a jackpot by forcing people to buy an iPhone, iPod or iPad to go with the watch. But it also has some challenges, because the cost has to be very consumer friendly to make people buy a device to go with a must have accessory. Also, if Apple is targeting the healthcare industry with this device, will it be able to convince the industry to adopt a standard set by apple? Android ecosystem is not going to be obsolete and they would like to get their share of the pie.

If there is an above-speculated device, then it will be interesting to see if Apple could really come up with a product that could convince the people & the industry for a mass adoption.


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posted by Shanmuganathan Sivaraj at 8:30 PM | 0 Comments





Sunday, June 08, 2014

Color Terminologies

How about some color lesson?

Here are some color terminologies –
  • Hue - Colors on the color wheel.
  • Tint - Adding a White to color.
  • Shade - Adding a black to color.
  • Tone   - Adding White + Back to color.
  • Saturation - Intensity of the color.
  • Luminance - Brightness of the color.




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posted by Shanmuganathan Sivaraj at 9:18 PM | 0 Comments