Techdays 2013 presentation on App to App communication on Windows Phone 8 (and a little bit of Windows 8). This is a presentation for developers.

1. App to App communication
on Windows Phone 8
Geert van der Cruijsen
Senior Consultant Avanade

2. Geert van der Cruijsen
Senior consultant @ Avanade
@Geertvdc
http://vdcruijsen.net

3. What is app to app
communication?

4. App to App Communication
Custom URI Associations
File Type Associations

5. Custom URI Associations
Launch apps from your app
Post tweet
Call skype
Companion apps
Launch your app from core hubs
Browser
Messaging
Email

6. File Type Associations
Launch your app from from a file
handler
Custom file types
Launch an app from within your app
to open a file located in your
application
Office
Pdf

7. Demo
Open a file from your app
Demo

8. Principles
User is always in control
The list of installed apps is private user
data
Standard tasks should be simple and
predictable

9. Launch URI:
skype:call?06123456
1 handler
TEAM

10. No handlers
TEAM

11. CHOOSE AN APP TO OPEN
RESUME.PDF
Multiple handlers
TEAM

12. Associate your app to a URI
Start with protocol name for your app:
gmdb:movie?id=921283
After the colon, add logic for your app

13. Launch another app from
your app
Demo

14. Using System protocols
You can not overwrite protocols used by
system apps or OS.
http:, MailTo:, Map:, Javascript:, File:,
ms-settings-wifi, ms-settings-location, zune:reviewapp,
(100+ others)

15. Passing Files to other apps
• Sending app creates copy and sends it
to other app
• No reply communication

16. Passing Files to other apps
Sending
App
Receiving
App

17. Passing Files to other apps
Sending
App
Receiving
App
Data Sharing Service
Create file Brokering token

18. Passing Files to other apps
Sending
App
Receiving
App
Execution Manager
Data Sharing Service
Launch file: Geert.colleague
TokenID=9999

19. Passing Files to other apps
Sending
App
Receiving
App
Execution Manager
Package
Manager
Data Sharing Service
Retreive .colleague
handlers

20. Passing Files to other apps
Sending
App
Receiving
App
Execution Manager
Package
Manager
Data Sharing Service
Launch app TokenID=9999

21. Passing Files to other apps
Sending
App
Receiving
App
Execution Manager
Package
Manager
Data Sharing Service
Redeem file token

22. Register file association
Register for a file association in the app
manifest file
Supply logos that Windows Phone OS will
use
Small: 33x33px
Medium: 69x69px
Large: 176x176px

23. Demo
Binding to custom file
types

24. Other ways to launch apps
Demo

25. Geert van der Cruijsen
@geertvdc
geertv@avanade.com
http://vdcruijsen.net