How to start developing for the Windows 7 phone?

Question

I had a link that had some great information regarding the new developer tools for Windows 7 phone, but I lost it! :(

Where can I download the appropriate tools? Is there an emulator that simulates the phone on my laptop so I can do short tech demos for my study group?

Thank you.

Answer 1

You need to get the latest Visual Studio.

You can get it for free if you're a student from DreamSpark.

There's an add-on for Windows 7 phone to get to the marketplace

Answer 2

The tools you need are still in beta. You can get them from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c8496c2a-54d9-4b11-9491-a1bfaf32f2e3&displaylang=en . They work with whatever version of Visual Studio you have (Express right up to ultimate.) I just blogged some links to resources to help you get started: http://www.gregcons.com/KateBlog/SomeWindowsPhone7Resources.aspx.

Answer 3

Hi, everything you need is FREE and available here:

http://developer.windowsphone.com/Default.aspx

Basically it's Visual Studio Express for Windows phone and Expression Blend Express for Windows phone. There's a 3.5Mb bootstrapper that will download everythingh you need.

Answer 4

@Poleman The Beta version of Windows Phone 7 will install Visual Studio Express for Windows Phone and well as Expression Studio for Windows Phone too. These are free as well.

Answer 5

Hi Sergio, You might also like to check out some of the getting started resources listed here.

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsphone7series/thread/711049ee-5fe2-43f6-873d-0dc47cc100a6