An Interview with WP7 Developer Carmelo Milian

1)Have you developed Apps for any other platforms before? If Yes What are they?

Yes, I have, It all started a couple of years ago when I started going to the Gym, I thought it would be great to have an application on my phone that will track my workout and repetitions. So I did this app for myself. It was a learning experience for me. I didn’t know much about Mobile development.

I am a gadget freak, so one of my gadgets is the Rovio from WowWee. This Camera on wheels that you could access from the web, move around and send/receive audio. I wanted to take it to the next level, so I did couple of applications for it, one for PC and another for Windows Mobile 6.5. Now I can talk to my Rovio. He tells me the weather, latest stock alerts, moves on voice command, reads me my twitter account and more. You can find those here…

I also have PhotoWiz for Windows Mobile 6.5, you can find it here…

2)Why did you choose WP7 as a platform of your choice?

It is the easiest and most affordable platform to develop on. I had some interest in developing for the iPhone but I am not willing to invest on a Mac so that I can do that. Also, Microsoft did send me a WP7 device so that I can develop for it. Can’t beat that.

3)Which one do you think as the single most feature you liked in WP7?

I love the Panoramas, It is a great way to move around my apps. Response is very smooth, image is crispy. My developer device its a lot better that devices out there released to customers and it’s still beta hardware and software! The live tiles are also a great idea. There is so much a developer can do with these.

4)Are you satisfied with WP7 Platform development tools?

Very satisfied! Expression Blend it’s just amazing for making beautiful applications. It used to be that you had to spend a lot of money to get cool looking applications. That is not the case any longer, All WP7 development applications are free, including Blend.

5)What are the Apps you are developing now in WP7?Details on the Apps?

PhotoWiz:

Police Scanner:

I am developing a Police Scanner 7, With this application you will be able to listen to feeds from USA and around the world. Look at their location on a Bing map, add/remove to favourites and search for near feeds using the WP7 location feature.

6)In what way Microsoft can improve their WP7 or What does WP7 lacks from?

It is too early to tell, but I wish that there was a WP7 tablet. It would be a great platform to develop for and it will sure compete with the iPad.

7)Future Plans of you?

I am looking forward to creating more apps. There are many apps out there. I want to make sure that my apps are useful, none of that nonsense app that when you download you feel you lost your money even when they are free. I will be doing a lot of brainstorming to bring apps that do the things that we are not doing on out devices right now.

Apart from these questions, Other things you want to share with the community?

I wanted to highlight that the best thing that WP7 has is its developer community. It is incredible how easy it is to develop for WP7 where there are thousands of developer willing and able to help you go over any hurdles that you may encounter in your way, especially if you are new to the platform.

Thanks Carmelo for sharing with us.All the best for your future works.