14 DAY TRIAL // One new step Microsoft made towards offering developers the possibility to come up with applications for its upcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system as easily as possible was the publishing of a UI Design and Interaction Guide for Windows Phone 2.0, complemented by the release of Design Templates for Windows Phone 7. The company already offered developers a nice range of solutions aimed at easing the building of apps for the upcoming OS, including the Windows Phone Developer Tools, but the new releases should get things up a notch, as they are aimed at the designing of appealing interfaces for the upcoming applications.
The new Windows Phone Developer Tools beta is supported in UI Design and Interaction Guide for Windows Phone 2.0, while being complemented by the Design Templates. Microsoft's Mark Chamberlain announced the availability of these solutions via a recent blog post.
Here's what he states: “The Design Templates for Windows Phone 7 are a collection of 28 layered Photoshop template files and system fonts that can be used to create pixel-perfect application layouts, to help guide UI development, or to pitch an idea. These design templates showcase many controls that are a part of the Windows Phone Developer Tools Beta. They also include examples of controls that are a part of Windows Phone, but are not available as a part of the Windows Phone Developer Tools.”
As for the new UI Design and Interaction Guide for Windows Phone 2.0, it comes with a new, redesigned format that should enhance the readability while highlighting guidance more prominently. The layout is almost the same on all pages, including, from lefty to right, image, general information and guidance. As stated above, the beta release of the Windows Phone Developer Tools is also supported in the new guide, while the content has been organized into four sections, including the Metro design philosophy, overview of phone UI and features, application interface controls, and miscellaneous. According to Microsoft, developers should be able to come up with authentic experiences.
The Design Templates for Windows Phone 7 can be downloaded from Softpedia too, via this link. The UI Design and Interaction Guide for Windows Phone 2.0 is available for download from Microsoft here.
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