Contents

About the Authors

About the Technical Reviewer

 Chapter 1: Introduction to Windows 8.1

Once Upon a Time in Windows

From Windows 1.0 to 3.1

Windows 95 to 2000

From Windows XP to Windows Vista

Windows 7

Windows 8

Windows 8.1

Thinking in Metro: Fundamentals of the Windows Store App UI

What Is the Microsoft Design Style?

Origin of the Microsoft Design Style UI Design Language

Microsoft Design Style Principles

Making Great Windows Store Apps

Platform and Tools

Installing the Tools

Starting Your Application in the Simulator

Blending for Microsoft Visual Studio 2013

Conclusions

 Chapter 2: Windows Runtime Environment

Windows 8 Platform

Application Model

Communication and Data

Graphics and Media

Devices and Printing

Conclusion

 Chapter 3: Designing the User Experience

Touch Design Principles

Control Library

Common Controls

New Controls in Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 introduces the following new controls:

List Management Controls

ItemsControl

Orientation and Layout

Different Screen, Same Windows Version

Layout

Orientation

Semantic Zoom

Contracts and Extensions

Contracts

Extensions

Conclusion

 Chapter 4: Choose Your Way

Choosing Your Way

Using XAML and the .NET Languages

XAML Views and Binding

VB and C# Windows Store App Template

A Quick Introduction to JavaScript and C++

HTML 5 and JavaScript

C++

What Language Should You Choose?

XAML vs. HTML and CSS

C#, VB, C++, and JavaScript

Conclusion

 Chapter 5: Managing the Application Life Cycle

Dissecting the Application Life Cycle

Activated Event

C#

VB

Visibility Changed Event

C#

VB

C#

VB

Resuming Event

C#

VB.NET

Conclusion

 Chapter 6: Start Up Your App

Design the User Interface

Choose the Right Tool

Conclusion

 Chapter 7: Take Advantage of the Environment

Sensors

Geolocation

Windows.Device.Sensors

Media

Stream Media Element

Background Task

Implementing the Background Task

Registering the Background Task

Declaring the Background Task

Debugging Background Tasks

Charms

Search

Sharing

Settings

Conclusion

 Chapter 8: Data Management

Handling Data in a Windows Store App

Managing App Data

User Data

FilePicker and FolderPicker

Using SQLite for Windows Store Apps

Retrieving Remote Data

Retrieving Data from Windows Communication Foundation

Retrieving Data from Windows Azure Mobile Services

Managing User Info

Credential Roaming

Working with Single Sign-On

Managing User Contacts

Conclusion

 Chapter 9: Listening to the World

Notifications Overview

Live Tiles

Badge Notification

Lock Screen Notification

Toast Notifications

Sending Notifications

Using a Push Notification

Conclusion

 Chapter 10: Accessibility and Globalization

Get Ready for Accessibility

Support for Assistive Technology

Supporting High-Contrast Themes

Testing a Windows Store App for Accessibility

Get Ready for Localization

Using UI Resources in Windows Store Apps

How To Set Available Languages for a Windows Store App

How To Format Date and Time Properly

How To Format Number and Currency Properly

Layout and Font Adjustment, Bi-Directional Support

The Multilingual App Toolkit

Conclusion

 Chapter 11: Sell Your App

Windows Store

Presenting the Windows Store

Submit Your App

App Name

Selling Details and Services

Age Rating and Rating Certificates

Cryptography

Packages

Description

Notes to Testers

Monitoring Your App

Updating Your App

Conclusion

 Appendix A: Live Tile and Toast Templates

Live Tile

Toast Templates

 Appendix B: Windows Store Developer Account

Index