14 DAY TRIAL // Ever since announcing the new Windows Phone platform, Microsoft has been hard at work with offering the proper set of tools and support for those developers interested in coming up with applications for the OS.
In addition to the Windows Phone SDK and free devices to start building these apps, Microsoft is also offering a new mobile application for these developers, to provide them with access to more resources necessary for their work.
The software is called Find My Champ, and is meant to enable developers to easily contact Developer Evangelists that could help them in the app building process.
For those out of the loop, we should note that these Developer Evangelists are working on ensuring that as many people as possible are aware of Microsoft products and technologies. At the same time, a part of their job is to champion developers.
“Here in Windows Phone we call our evangelists “Phone Champs”. Champs ensure our developers get exactly the help & support they need and are the voice of the developer community,” Microsoft’s Ben Lower explains in a recent blog post.
“They are all experts on our platform and serve as local resources to answer questions from current or prospective developers.
“Champs can help you troubleshoot a problem in your app and can help you get your hands on a phone for testing. Oh, and some of our Champs are really funny and can tell you a good joke or two.”
The new application was specifically designed to enable devs to easily get in touch with these Phone Champs. You can search for either local or for international champs, and you will also have the possibility to view a map with Phone Champs’ locations.
The source code for the Find My Champ application is available for download today via CodePlex. To use it, devs will need to compile the code and load it on their Windows Phone developer devices. The software will make it to the Windows Phone Marketplace too in the near future.
“Go download the app’s source code. Compile the code in our dev tools and side-load Find My Champ onto your developer device or into the emulator,” Ben Lower continues.
“Find your local Phone Champ and get in touch with them. Ask them for help with your app or to let you know about events or hackathons in your area.”