2013-04-16, 11:37
EDIT
The project has gone live here: https://github.com/akshay2000/XBMCRemoteWP
And the app can be downloaded from here: http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=3897...9e53c55b78
If you want more cutting edge features, here's the beta: http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=8b5d...bf14aa503d
I'm really not sure if I should be writing a properly formatted proposal here in the forum. So I'll go with the informal proposal for now. I'll edit it later if proposal is required. I would really appreciate if anyone from the TeamXBMC drops by and provides some pointers. Also, any suggestions about acceptance of such project are also welcome.
What?
I aim to create a full fledged XBMC remote controller apps for WinRT and Windows Phone. The apps will be completely native and make full use of the features provided by the platform (live tiles, for example!). These apps will enable the users to control XBMC from Windows Phones and Windows Tablets just like their iOS and Android counterparts.
Why?
First of all, there aren't any official XBMC remote apps on Windows Phone. Common argument which goes against bringing iOS and Android apps to Windows Phone is 'number of users verses effort requires to code the app. (That's what Dropbox and a few others said!) I'm willing to take that undertaking and spend effort and time. So, official client would be really nice to have. We'd be reaching to more users.
Secondly, Windows has really nice design language which would make the user's experience pleasant. After all, a beautiful media center deserves a beautiful remote.
But, but I see a bunch of XBMC remotes in Windows Phone marketplace!
Yes, there are a few client apps in the marketplace. As I said earlier, nine of those is official. It may not seem like much, but (given the choice) people a way more likely to go for official app instead of a third party counterpart. (Of course, there are exceptions like 4th and Mayor, but that's entirely different story.)
Secondly, all those apps don't make full use of beautiful and clean design a Windows Phone app can have. Moreover, the official app would be better as it would receive support and code review directly by the teamXBMC.
So are we talking about the phone or desktop? And what is that WinRT thingy that you speak of?
I'm talking about both! In short, WinRT is what runs on ARM based Windows 8 tablets. Beauty of the ecosystem is that most of the code can be shared between Windows Phone and WinRT. So, once the core code is written, it would be easy to write UI for both phone as well as tablet. Here we will be able to address all those Windows Phone users as well as widespread Windows 8 users. Ultimately, we have app - on phone, on tablet and on the desktop (just in case one wants to control ATV XBMC from their laptop).
Alright, I'm convinced. Now let us talk about GSoC aspect.
Okay, I'm a student developer who has experience in coding for both Windows Phone and Windows 8. I'm actively working on a project which targets both the platforms. (It's a productivity tool which provides uniform experience across the platforms. Here is Windows 8 app. Phone app is under development.) Here is my work in Windows Phone. Lastly, I'm aware of user's needs when it comes to XBMC. So, I feel that I would be able to take up and complete the project.
Secondly, the timeline and duration of GSoC seems favorable for what I am proposing. Help from the mentors would aid me in the process.
Lastly it fits the criteria put forth by the teamXBMC itself! The project requires little to none alteration of the core code. It's highly unlikely to disturb integrity of current code base - be it core code or extensions like other remote apps. Yet it addresses important aspect and extends the functionality of XBMC.
Now if you have read this particularly long post, I owe you a thank you note.
Thank you! Suggestions are welcome!
The project has gone live here: https://github.com/akshay2000/XBMCRemoteWP
And the app can be downloaded from here: http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=3897...9e53c55b78
If you want more cutting edge features, here's the beta: http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=8b5d...bf14aa503d
I'm really not sure if I should be writing a properly formatted proposal here in the forum. So I'll go with the informal proposal for now. I'll edit it later if proposal is required. I would really appreciate if anyone from the TeamXBMC drops by and provides some pointers. Also, any suggestions about acceptance of such project are also welcome.
What?
I aim to create a full fledged XBMC remote controller apps for WinRT and Windows Phone. The apps will be completely native and make full use of the features provided by the platform (live tiles, for example!). These apps will enable the users to control XBMC from Windows Phones and Windows Tablets just like their iOS and Android counterparts.
Why?
First of all, there aren't any official XBMC remote apps on Windows Phone. Common argument which goes against bringing iOS and Android apps to Windows Phone is 'number of users verses effort requires to code the app. (That's what Dropbox and a few others said!) I'm willing to take that undertaking and spend effort and time. So, official client would be really nice to have. We'd be reaching to more users.
Secondly, Windows has really nice design language which would make the user's experience pleasant. After all, a beautiful media center deserves a beautiful remote.
But, but I see a bunch of XBMC remotes in Windows Phone marketplace!
Yes, there are a few client apps in the marketplace. As I said earlier, nine of those is official. It may not seem like much, but (given the choice) people a way more likely to go for official app instead of a third party counterpart. (Of course, there are exceptions like 4th and Mayor, but that's entirely different story.)
Secondly, all those apps don't make full use of beautiful and clean design a Windows Phone app can have. Moreover, the official app would be better as it would receive support and code review directly by the teamXBMC.
So are we talking about the phone or desktop? And what is that WinRT thingy that you speak of?
I'm talking about both! In short, WinRT is what runs on ARM based Windows 8 tablets. Beauty of the ecosystem is that most of the code can be shared between Windows Phone and WinRT. So, once the core code is written, it would be easy to write UI for both phone as well as tablet. Here we will be able to address all those Windows Phone users as well as widespread Windows 8 users. Ultimately, we have app - on phone, on tablet and on the desktop (just in case one wants to control ATV XBMC from their laptop).
Alright, I'm convinced. Now let us talk about GSoC aspect.
Okay, I'm a student developer who has experience in coding for both Windows Phone and Windows 8. I'm actively working on a project which targets both the platforms. (It's a productivity tool which provides uniform experience across the platforms. Here is Windows 8 app. Phone app is under development.) Here is my work in Windows Phone. Lastly, I'm aware of user's needs when it comes to XBMC. So, I feel that I would be able to take up and complete the project.
Secondly, the timeline and duration of GSoC seems favorable for what I am proposing. Help from the mentors would aid me in the process.
Lastly it fits the criteria put forth by the teamXBMC itself! The project requires little to none alteration of the core code. It's highly unlikely to disturb integrity of current code base - be it core code or extensions like other remote apps. Yet it addresses important aspect and extends the functionality of XBMC.
Now if you have read this particularly long post, I owe you a thank you note.
Thank you! Suggestions are welcome!