How to make your Windows Phone app vibrate?

There are 2 simple ways to make your Windows Phone app vibrate the device.

The first method makes use of the VibrateController class in the Microsoft.Devices namespace:

            VibrateController vibrateController = VibrateController.Default;
            vibrateController.Start(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(2));
            vibrateController.Stop();

The second method makes use of the VibrationDevice class in the Windows.Phone.Devices.Notification namespace:

            VibrationDevice vibrationDevice = VibrationDevice.GetDefault();

            vibrationDevice.Vibrate(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(3));

            vibrationDevice.Cancel();

In both these instances, the vibration will automatically stop after the amount passed as TimeSpan has elapsed.

You can call the corresponding Stop or Cancel method of the class to stop the vibration before the TimeSpan passed has elapsed.

Regards,
Paras Wadehra

Microsoft MVP

Twitter: @ParasWadehra

FB.com/WindowsPhoneDeveloper

My WP Apps

1 Million Downloads, Part-2, App Statistics

This is Part-2 in a series of blog posts I am writing to detail my experiences to get to 1 Million downloads on Windows Phone.

In this post, for the first time ever, I will make public detailed info around my app statistics which will show you how my top apps have performed since launch. I will also correlate some spikes I've seen with promotions I've run or new updates I've launched. Please note that the charts you see below are not from the same time period or include up to date downloads count info.

I'll start with statistics for my most popular app, Dictionary:

As you can see, getting featured in the Windows Phone Store really helps drive downloads for your app. The sustained organic growth period you see above is actually due to Dictionary winning first place in the Best Educational App category of the first-ever Windows Phone App Awards, beating competition from Microsoft and other competitors.

Now, let's take a look at SketchPad:

Again, the effect of getting featured in the Windows Phone Store clearly shows its benefits. I've been fortunate enough to have SketchPad featured in different countries across the world several times now.

Let's take a look at Unit Converter:

This chart shows you the bumps received in the download count just by updating the app to include new features and functionality. Users really like seeing their feedback being incorporated in the app.

Here's Events For Me:

This chart not only shows you the benefit of getting featured in the Windows Phone Store, but also getting a good review on WP Central. In this case, the WP Central review drove the most downloads in 1 day to the Events For Me app.

I've saved the best for the last though, be prepared to be flabbergasted, as I show you The DVLUP Effect. Here's a look at the downloads for my Chess game

And here's the interesting part. See that red circle with a minor bump on the road? That is what you see in the chart below.

This shows you how using campaigns from DVLUP, I was able to achieve The DVLUP Effect which dwarfed downloads from any other promotions. Soon after launch, in early 2012, the Chess game also won 1st place in Microsoft's You've Got Game competition.

Windows Phone Store placements and DVLUP Campaigns have been a god given gift for an indie developer like myself.

In Part 1 of this blog series, I shared the news about my apps hitting 1 Million downloads on Windows Phone and introduced you to my apps.
In Part 3 of this blog series, I will talk about mistakes made and lessons learned.
In Part 4 of this blog series, I will talk about monetization and promotion mechanisms I've used over the years and which ones have worked better than the others.

Cheers, 

Paras Wadehra

Do you DVLUP?

Twitter: @ParasWadehra

FB Group: http://bit.ly/WinPhoneDev

My WP Apps

Mobile App Hackathon

What do app developers from around the world have in common? They all like to be rewarded for their efforts!

And you can get just that by attending the AT&T Mobile App Hackathon in Las Vegas this coming weekend. All you need to bring is your laptop and the will to code. You will get access to AT&T APIs and enough caffeine to keep you coding all night!

Register at http://mobileappvegas-paras.eventbrite.com

Oh, and there will be enough delicious food to feed an army, so come hungry!

You will have the chance to win some exciting prizes like $500 cash gift cards and premium service to GitHub, among others.

Before you forget, register at http://mobileappvegas-paras.eventbrite.com

Follow me on twitter for more exciting updates about this and future events.

--
Paras Wadehra
Twitter: @ParasWadehra