On "Responsive Design"

What your design should be responding to is the context of the user. Not just the device they're using. It's about more than just screen size and capabilities. It's about enabling the person using the software to get the value they want out of using the software regardless of which device they are using. Of course, understanding the context of the user (so you can best give them what they...

Think before you truncate

There is a convention on Windows Phone to not wrap text but let it overflow the right edge of the screen. This shouldn't always be done though. There are cases where the text at the end of a sentence is REALLY important and it's more important to compromise the convention or the layout so that the...

If you previously built Windows Phone games with XNA...

I'm still regularly asked what options people have for taking forward the games they originally built for Windows Phone 7 with XNA. If you're not aware this question is driven by the fact that Microsoft removed XNA tooling and support from Windows Phone 8. There are 2 main options: MonoGame or Unity. MonoGame is an open source project that aims to provide the same options and APIs for building apps...

SQLitePCL vs Akavache

Earlier this week I shared the news that there is now an "official(ish)" version of SQLite that can be used in what Microsoft calls "Universal Apps". SQLitePCL Now Supports Universal Windows Apps! http://t.co/X31x3Zjw1t — Windows Phone UG (@wpug) June 30, 2014 I was asked how this compares with using Akavache and if I have any recommendations? If you're not familiar Akavache it's "an asynchronous,...

Understanding the "second screen"

Recently I've heard a few people talking about mobile devices (primarily phones and tablets) becoming the "first screen" and televisions becoming the "second screen". I think this based on a misunderstanding of what is meant by a "second screen" experience. It's not about the amount of time that a person spends with a specific screen it's about the screen that provides the primary output and which...