Monday, December 2, 2013

Windows Phone Gaining Momentum, Windows XP Still Running Over 30% of Desktops, Smartphone Race to Pricing Bottom Underway

INDUSTRY NEWS

Windows Phone Is Gaining Some Global Momentum

Looks like Windows Phone is increasing its market share especially in Europe reaching 10% of smartphone sales across the five major European markets. Compared to Android’s 72% of the market share, still a long way to go.
http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/mobility/62159-windows-phone-picks-up-global-momentum

Only 1 Out of Every 10 Windows Phone 8 Devices Is Not a Nokia Lumia

Nokia now controls 90% of the Windows Phone 8 market, with the low-end Lumia 520 grabbing over 35% share. Nokia’s share of Windows Phone 8 devices has been growing steadily over the last few months, moving from about 75 percent at the start of the year, to a new high of 90 percent in November.
http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2013/11/27/nokia-now-controls-90-windows-phone-8-market-low-end-lumia-520-accounting-35-share

The Operating-System-That-Wouldn't-Die: Windows XP Still Running Over 30% of Desktops

With support ending for Windows XP in April, HP and Intel are looking forward to the earning prospects of hardware upgrades in the New Year.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57614101-75/intel-hp-prepare-for-the-end-of-days-windows-xps-that-is/

Smartphone Race to Pricing Bottom Underway, Says IDC

Smartphone units are set to surge through 2017, but average selling prices will also steadily decline. Thank Android.
http://www.zdnet.com/smartphone-race-to-pricing-bottom-underway-says-idc-7000023637/


TIPS & TRICKS

Mass Import Users

The 'Import From File' context menu option in a server's Configuration > Users node may be used to mass import users into the system. Using this feature, a CSV file containing many lines in the format of "user, password" may be loaded into the users panel with a single action. After importing, the 'Release Applications to Multiple Users', and 'Mass Actions' buttons may be used to further modify the imported user accounts.

Retrieving Client Logs

Logs may be retrieved remotely from client devices via the 'Client Logs' node in BrightBuilder's Server panel. Logs can be requested under the 'Users for Client Log Requests' tab and will cause the user's device to send its log on the next synchronisation to BrightServer. On success, the user request will be removed, and the log will appear under the 'Client Logs' tab. The client device must have logging activated to produce logs.

PRODUCT UPDATES

The port of BrightForms on Windows Phone 8 and Windows Store platforms has progressed well and is on track to reach to an internal beta release in early January for testing.

The development of the BrightServer Version 8 is also well underway. It is full of new exciting features such as the ability to deploy multiple configurations (BEP projects) to a single server instance, a new job system to configure and monitor jobs on server, and much more. More news still to come, stay tuned.

Monday, November 4, 2013

5 Ways iOS7 Can Help the Enterprise, Intermec CN51, Windows 8.1, Apple iPad Air and Mini

INDUSTRY NEWS

 5 Ways iOS7 Can Help the Enterprise

The launch of iOS7 generated a lot of commentary about its design changes. However, it also foresaw the shift in how enterprises are using and developing mobile apps, and includes several business-friendly features.
http://gigaom.com/2013/10/26/here-are-5-ways-ios-7-can-help-the-enterprise/

Intermec CN51, Rugged and Versatile, Runs Android or Windows 6.5

Intermec has developed the CN51. The handheld computer can run Android 4.1 or, for customers with legacy apps, Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5.
http://www.eweek.com/mobile/intermec-cn51-rugged-and-versatile-runs-android-or-windows-6.5.html

Microsoft Releases Windows 8.1

Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced the global availability of Windows 8.1, a feature-rich update to its popular Windows 8 operating system, enabling customers to create experiences that keep pace with their lives — at work, at home or on the go. Beginning Oct. 17, consumers with a Windows 8 device in more than 230 markets and 37 languages can download the free update via the online Windows Store. 
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2013/oct13/10-17windows81pr.aspx

Apple iPad Air Event: Everything you need to know

Apple made several announcements at their Oct 22 productevent in San Francisco. From the new iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display to new releases for the Mac, Apple managed to compress a lot of information into a 90-minute event.  This article collates all the news from the event and puts it together in one easy-to-read guide.
http://mashable.com/2013/10/22/ipad-air-event-everything/

PC sales are down, across the board and across the globe.

Recent figures show the decline that set in nearly two years ago continues, with no end in sight. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of declining worldwide shipments.
http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/market/61861-pc-sales-getting-even-sicker


TIPS & TRICKS

Data Grids

Columns in listviews may set to be editable by the user. E.g. a Button data cell may be used to quickly jump to a record's details, while controls such as Drop Downs and Edit Controls may be used to quickly edit records with in the list itself while being vaildated for correctness.
This may be achieved by assigning column types under the 'Data Cell' heading when modifying the columns of a listview via the 'Columns' property dialog. Once editing of data has been completed, the listview's Save() method may be called in an expression to save the values entered. Alternatively, the data may be saved to the database immediately, using the 'Data Grid - Auto Save' property of the listview.

Server Configuration - User Activity

The "Log User Activity to the Runtime Statistics Database" option in the Configuration > Server node may be enabled to enable User Activity logging. This data contains useful information, such as user connection time, number of synchronised records, as well as BrightForms, project and release information. The rows of the table will be update each time the user synchronises their device. For more information, please refer to the BrightServer > BrightServer Instances > User Activity chapter of the Bright Software User Manual.

PRODUCT UPDATES

We have released the latest version of BrightForms 7.2.3 for iOS and it is now available at the App Store. BrightForms now fully supports the iOS7 look-and-feel and seamlessly integrates into the iOS7 platform.

Another exciting news item is that the development team has completed the Alpha phase of Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 Store versions of BrightForms with a full Metro style user interface. It will now be in the beta stage for the rest of the year and is expected to go production Q1 early next year.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Apple iOS 7 Launched, Microsoft Buys Nokia, Honeywell Acquires Intermec

INDUSTRY NEWS

Apple launches iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S and its new iOS7 operating system

The company unveiled two new iPhones on September 10, the speedier iPhone 5S and the less expensive iPhone 5C, boasting a new camera, new processor, motion processing system, a fingerprint scanner for security and ease of use. It runs the powerful A7 chipset, and runs 64-bit software which is first on mobile devices. Watch the keynote at http://www.apple.com/apple-events/september-2013/

Microsoft to buy Nokia's mobile phone unit

Microsoft has agreed a deal to buy Nokia's mobile phone business for 5.4bn euros ($7.2bn; £4.6bn). The purchase is set to be completed in early 2014, when about 32,000 Nokia employees will transfer to Microsoft.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23940171 

Honeywell Completes Acquisition of Intermec

Honeywell has completed its acquisition of Intermec, a leading provider of mobile computing, radio frequency identification solutions (RFID), voice-enabled workflow and data-collection solutions, and printing solutions. Honeywell announced its intent to acquire Intermec in December 2012, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $600 million. "The acquisition of Intermec will add innovative products and solutions, as well as deep engineering expertise and a broad global sales channel that further demonstrates our commitment to provide our customers an increasing array of innovative technologies in the highly attractive AIDC industry," said John Waldron, president of Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. Intermec will be integrated with Honeywell Scanning & Mobility, within the company's Automation and Control Solutions business. http://www.intermec.com.au/about_us/newsroom/press_releases/2013-09-Honeywell-Scanning-Mobility-Day-1.aspx

Samsung Introduces GALAXY Gear, a Wearable Device to Enhance the Freedom of Mobile Communications

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today introduced the GALAXY Gear, a perfect companion device that further integrates the Samsung GALAXY experience into everyday life. Samsung GALAXY Gear combines smart device connectivity, tailored technological features, and stylish design as a single premium accessory.
http://www.samsungmobilepress.com/2013/09/04/Samsung-Introduces-GALAXY-Gear,-a-Wearable-Device-to-Enhance-the-Freedom-of-Mobile-Communications-1

TIPS & TRICKS

Colour Code Listviews

In BrightForms, listviews may be defined so that row data is highlighted for the user, based on certain record conditions. For example, a listview could display unfinished records in red, or completed records in green on the device. This is achieved via the 'Colour Coding' property of the listview in BrightBuilder. Using this feature, specific text and background colour combinations may be defined for all the rows in a listview based on data related column rules, providing clear visibility of record statuses to the user.

Passing Data Between Forms

When developing BSP projects, data may be passed between forms using Form Variables, Global Variables, App Settings, the Array object and the Database object. Global Variables and App Settings can be used to store application state across multple forms. The Array object can be used for variable amounts of data. Form Variables for clearly defined data within the scope of a single form. The Database object is useful if the data must be persisted to the local database. For more tips and tricks, see our developer support page!

PRODUCT UPDATES

As you may be already aware, we have released iOS version of BrightForms Mobile Device Engine. Its uptake has been a great success. The team will release a minor version soon for supporting iOS 7 look-and-feel.

Our development team is extremely busy working on the next major version of the platform : Version 8. The new platform version will take the mobile application development efforts to a next level of simplicity and easy use. We will keep you posted with some of the new exciting features as they become handy in the upcoming newsletters.