Andrew Flick

Smart Phone Acquisition

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:56:00 GMT

As promised, months of research and deliberation into the next device has concluded with a purchase. The launch of the Samsung Omnia 2 with a faster processor, 8 GB of internal memory!, and a new Swype way of entering text had me excited.

It came down to a tight competition of the Motorola Droid and the Samsung Omnia (HTC Imagio was in the mix, but quickly crossed off). Here's what it came down to for me...

Motorola Droid

Pro's

Capacitive Screen
Fast App Switching
Google Navigation (Wicked Awesome)

Con's

No built-in Word/Excel Support
Small Internal Memory
Slower Processor

Samsung Omnia 2

Pro's

800 Mhz Processor (fastest Verizon has)
Microsoft MyPhone
Existing AppStore Purchases
8 GB Internal (Expandable to 40 GB)
Part of the Microsoft Eco-System (Things like Mesh could be exciting)
Dreams of Grandeur and the eventuality of Silverlight Mobile
Swipe Text Input

Con's

Performance

As you can see, I am hugely biased towards Windows Mobile. I've used a WinMo smart phone since...well since there were WinMo Bricks. The comparison states that the Samsung is the Winning device! However, no matter how many awesome features, the reason I hated my last phone (and it was hate at many times) was because of performance. Sorry Windows Mobile, I wanted you to win so badly...I can upgrade my phone in a year and hopefully...Windows Mobile 7 will steal the day.

NoMo WinMo. Hello Droid.

Windows Forms -- ISL Exchange

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:59:00 GMT

Calling All Designers or Developers who can match color choices together; there is a new forum that you can post your fantastic ISL creations and share them with the world.

It's located here: http://community.infragistics.com/forums/406.aspx.

Enjoy!!

iDon't Know

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:01:00 GMT

So, Verizon has partnered with Google and is launching a new series of smart phones branded as "Droid." The whole campaign is around things that the iPhone doesn't do. After reviewing some of the supporting hardware, like a really awesome GPS hookup and Multimedia station; I can't help, but wonder if that is the way I should go.

After reviewing the Windows Mobile competition, I can't help but feel like a Chicago Cub's fan. I really want them to succeed and am almost blindly loyal. I watch what they're doing year over year. Then, out of nowhere someone else pops up with a stellar offering that looks pretty phenominal and it's game over.

That being said, the phone of my dreams for WinMo is coming to the USA! However, it's apparently coming to T-Mobile. That doesn't help me at all and thus, I'm back in the waiting game. I will buy a new phone by December b/c I'm hoping that WinMo 7 makes it by next year. The question still becomes which device and which platform... And if it's not a WinMo platform will it convert me in a way that I don't go back to WinMo?

Changing Job Roles...

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:37:00 GMT

I'm preparing to fly out again and get more customer feedback in the great (windy) city of Chicago (and my home state). However, before I go, I wanted to update everyone on my new role at Infragistics. I've recently been promoted to be the "Product Unit Manager" for NetAdvantage LOB. My team will oversee Windows Forms (+ TestAdvantage), ASP.NET, WPF, and Silverlight LOB. I've got a lot of ideas on how to shape these different platforms around a set of core pillars and am looking forward to the challenge of keeping IG on top no matter which underlying technology you choose.

Windows Mobile 6.5

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:23:00 GMT

Today is the day. I've been pretty excited about the hype of all the new devices coming with WinMo 6.5 and shipping today, October 6th. After looking over at the Verizon Wireless website and seeing my current options, including the new HTC Imagio and all of it's TouchFlo3D glory, I almost impulsively purchased it.

Then on to the reviews... Apparently, Windows Mobile 6.5 does give some nice today screen enhancements and a new browser (which perf is still a bit of an issue); however all of the device manufacturers are creating their own branded UX to sit on top the device. (It's amazing how important a custom branded UX is these days...) After looking at the reviews for the new HTC Imagio, it appears that the processor is still not up to the requirements for the device and my impulsive spending urge subsides until I can get my hands on one to see if its work it 'well enough.'

On that note...if only HTC Leo would make it to Verizon. With a 1Ghz processor, surely it's not only fast enough for 6.5...but maybe good enough for 7?

Windows Forms 2010.1

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:05:00 GMT

One release out the door, the next one started. We finished up our sprint planning yesterday for the initial sprint and this next release is shaping up to be another big one. Dare I say that we added 'contains' support to the AutoComplete feature of WinComboEditor/WinCombo. I do...b/c the feature is already done. Ok...so that didn't get you excited? Well, this next release is going to have a few new controls. One of the controls is so big and the effort so great that I'm not even sure we'll get it in this release...we're going to try though. Don't expect me to tell you what it is though...at least not yet....

I guess the point is...if we can committ to a control that is a big enough effort that it might spill into another release...we're pretty stinking committed to Windows Forms.

Window Mobile 6.5

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:33:00 GMT

As if you couldn't tell by all of my posts on Mobile, I can't wait to get a new gadget. The iPhone...makes me sick with envy, but that little bit of Microsoft loyalty prevents me from going there (although, I'll never admit it.) I currently own a VX6800 from Verizon and it is the equivalent of a small brick. I have been following closely what's going on with WinMo (and secretly hoping to get a Microsoft person at the Embedded conference to give me an inside scoop). Looking around the web, I've heard that 6.5 is shipping with a plethora of devices on or around October 6th. Come on Verizon...get something good. Now comes the great dilemna. I can go to Verizon and get the first device I see...or...I can wait. Why would I wait, you ask. Apparently, Benjamin Tan, senior director of the GCR Mobile Team Unit at Microsoft China has let slip that more than 30 WinMo 6.5 handsets are expected to launch by the end of 2009. Every time I buy a device, I get caught in this waiting game...sometimes I successfully pick a great device and am happy for the next year of my contract; while other times I am sorely disappointed a few weeks later.

Thoughts Anyone?

Boston Embedded Systems Conference

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:59:00 GMT

I am currently in Boston at the ESC conference and it's a whole new world to experience. If you're there, stop by the Windows Embedded booth and visit. The keynote presentation was unlike anything I've seen before, it included a part on new headphones that are fashon designed by Miss Lady Gaga, solor panel IPhone chargers, and some pretty big announcements from Microsoft.

The announcement that was of the most interest to me was Silverlight on Windows CE 6.0 R3. Of course, it's partly being selfish in the fact that the Silverlight UX on the device used at the keynote was designed by Infragistics. I gave a small presentation on this yesterday at the Windows Embedded Theatre and was faced with a group of people who are just now seeing how easy it can be to build great UX for Embedded Devices. The interface that we created took under a couple of weeks to build and that included working with a team of C++ developers that we had never met and integrating into a device we had never seen. Here's a capture of what we did:

Microsoft MyPhone (Success)

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:06:00 GMT

My phone recently crashed and I'm happy to report that the post I made a few weeks ago turned out to be a huge success. Exchange saved the day with all of my contacts, calendar items, and tasks...but MyPhone saved everything else. If you're a Windows Mobile customer; I definitely recommend checking it out!

New Article on WinTilePanel Performance Posted

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:41:00 GMT

Are you using he new Windows Forms WinTilePanel? This article offers an indepth guide to how the control paints and a few things that you can do to boost the performance of the control if you see limitations imposed by the Windows Forms Platforms drawing logic.

The article can be found here.

Windows Forms 2009.2 :: Unedited

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:57:00 GMT

A Video Speaks more than words…but just to throw out a few...New Layout metaphor and a Timeline come to Windows Forms.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Farewell to a Friend and Office-mate

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:37:00 GMT

As noted, Friday was the last day for a fellow colleague and office-mate. Tony Lombardo and I have had a great time working together at Infragistics. We were both two people lucky enough to be chosen to lead the product strategy at Infragistics as the first Product Managers. We traveled the globe and validated strategies and had many a good times together.

We’ve shared an office for about 4.5 years and we’ve been a sounding board to each other for everything from new product ideas and feature innovations to politics and media centers. In the end, I know that we’ll still continue this as he will be using my Windows Forms product at his new job and will be giving feedback at a level of technical expertise that I’d expect from a seasoned developer.

I’d like to extend a warm thank you to Tony for all the help that he’s given as a sounding board, the friendship, and especially for the tangibles…like his monitors and the extra office space. To the public, don’t tell…but I don’t know who may move in to this office next…but that line that we drew 4.5 years ago has shifted a bit and I don’t need anyone updating whoever fills Tony’s space.

Good Luck Tony!

Disabling Wheel-Scrolling in the UltraCombo

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:34:07 GMT

This is pretty simple. Just set handled = true on HandledMouseEventArgs:

// prevents the scrolling through of the items when the UltraCombo is closed.
UltraCombo combo = sender as UltraCombo;
if (combo != null &&
    !this.ultraCombo1.IsDroppedDown)
    ((HandledMouseEventArgs)e).Handled = true;

// prevents the scrolling of the underlying drop-down grid
UltraCombo combo = sender as UltraCombo;
if (combo != null &&
    this.ultraCombo1.IsDroppedDown)
    ((HandledMouseEventArgs)e).Handled = true;

Texas Round-Up

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:12:18 GMT

I’m looking forward to meeting up with a bunch of customers in Texas this week. Here’s my schedule:

Monday – Tuesday: Dallas
Tuesday – Wednesday: Austin
Wednesday – Monday: Houston

If anyone is around feel free to send me a message and if I have time perhaps we can get together for an informal what’s going on in NetAdvantage session.

Microsoft My Phone (beta)

[Infragistics] Andrew Flick — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:15:53 GMT

Thought this was pretty cool, Microsoft My Phone is a service that will sync the info on your mobile phone and the web. The service is currently free and gives you 200 MB of space. iPhone users beware…no love for you; you need to be running WinMo 6+. Anyway, check it out here.