7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

1/31

This App

M10: App to App

Communication

async

Andy Wigley | Microsoft Technical Evangelist

Rob Tiffany | Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Strategist

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

2/31

Target Agenda | Day 1

Module and Topic | 10-minute breaks after each session / 60-minute meal break

1a - Introducing Windows Phone 8 Application Development | Part 1 1b - Introducing Windows Phone 8 Application Development | Part 2

2 - Designing Windows Phone Apps

3 - Building Windows Phone Apps

4 - Files and Storage on Windows Phone 8

Meal Break | 60-minutes

5 - Windows Phone 8 Application Lifecycle

6 - Background Agents

7 - Tiles and Lock Screen Notifications

8 - Push Notifications

9 - Using Phone Resources on Windows Phone 8

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

3/31

Target Agenda | Day 2

Module and Topic | 10-minute breaks after each session / 60-minute meal break

10 - App to App Communication 11 - Network Communication on Windows Phone 8

12 - Proximity Sensors and Bluetooth

13 - Speech Input on Windows Phone 8

14 - Maps and Location on Windows Phone 8

15 - Wallet Support

16 - In App Purchasing

Meal Break | 60-minutes

17 - The Windows Phone Store

18 - Enterprise Applications in Windows Phone 8: Architecture and Publishing

19 - Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 Cross Platform Development

20 Mobile Web

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

4/31

Auto-Launching with File and Protocol Associations

Launching Apps to Handle Particular File Types

Launching one App from Another

Module Agenda

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

5/31

Auto-Launching with File and

Protocol Associations

12/4/20125

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

6/31

Auto-launching with File and Protocol Associations

File associations allow your app to launch when the user wants to open a pa

type, via: an email attachment

a website via Internet Explorer

a text message

a Near Field Communications (NFC) tag

another app from the Store Protocol association allows your app to automatically launch when another

special URI

Protocol is the first part of a URI, e.g. myprotocol:/ShowProducts?Categor

Your app launches another and passes it data in the remainder of the laun

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

7/31

User Experience with File and Protocol Associations

When a user launches a file or protocol from an app

If there is only one app on the phone registered for that file orprotocol, the app is automatically launched

If there is more than one app registered for that file or protocol,

the user is asked which app they want to use

If no apps on the phone can handle that file or protocol, the

user is given the option to get one that does

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

8/31

Comparison with Windows 8 User Experience

Like Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 uses

Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(IStorageFile) to launch a file andLauncher.LaunchUriAsync(Uri) to launch a URI

However, the way Windows Phone XAML apps receive a file or

URI is different

Windows 8 has a default Store app for a file type or URI, so that will be

launched In Windows Phone 8, if there are multiple Store apps installed that can

handle a particular file or protocol association, the user chooses the

receiving app from a menu

http://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(Windows.Storage.IStorageFile).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(Windows.Foundation.Uri).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(Windows.Foundation.Uri).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(Windows.Foundation.Uri).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(Windows.Foundation.Uri).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(Windows.Storage.IStorageFile).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(Windows.Storage.IStorageFile).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(Windows.Storage.IStorageFile).htmhttp://m/Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(Windows.Storage.IStorageFile).htm

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

9/31

Demo 1:

User Experience

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

10/31

File Associations

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

11/31

Registering for a File Association

To handle a particular file type, register for a file association in the app man

Optionally supply logos that Windows Phone OS will use when listing files

Edit WMAppManifest.xml using the XML (Text) Editor

Logo Size Use Dimensions

Small Email attachments 33x33 pixels

Medium Office hub list view 69x69 pixels

Large Browser download 176x176 pixels

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

12/31

Adding a File Association to WMAppManifest.xml

Add a FileTypeAssociation element inside the Extensions element

The Extensions element must follow immediately after the Tokens element

Specify up to 20 file extensions per file type association

bug-small-33x33.png

bug-medium-69x69.png

bug-large-176x176.png

.bqy

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

13/31

Listening for a file launch

When your app is launched to handle a file, a deep link URI is sent to your a

/FileTypeAssociation?fileToken=89819279-4fe0-4531-9f57-d633f094

You need to implement a custom URI Mapper to parse the deep link URI an

page in your app that will handle it

FileTypeAssociationdesignates

that the source of the URI is a file type

association

The file token

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

14/31

Custom URI Mapper - 1

usingSystem;

usingSystem.Windows.Navigation;

usingWindows.Phone.Storage.SharedAccess;

namespaceFileAssociationsHandler

{

classAssociationUriMapper : UriMapperBase

{

privatestringtempUri;

publicoverrideUri MapUri(Uri uri)

{

tempUri = uri.ToString();

// File association launch

if (tempUri.Contains("/FileTypeAssociation")){

// Get the file ID (after "fileToken=").

int fileIDIndex = tempUri.IndexOf("fileToken=") + 10;

stringfileID = tempUri.Substring(fileIDIndex);

// Get the file name.

stringincomingFileName =

SharedStorageAccessManager.GetSharedFileName(fileID);

...

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

15/31

Custom URI Mapper - 2

...

// Get the file extension.int extensionIndex = incomingFileName.LastIndexOf('.') + 1;

stringincomingFileType =

incomingFileName.Substring(extensionIndex).ToLower();

// Map the .bqy and .bdp files to the appropriate pages.

switch (incomingFileType)

{

case"bqy":

returnnewUri("/BugQueryPage.xaml?fileToken=" + fileID, UriKind.Relative);

case"bdp":

returnnewUri("/BugDetailPage.xaml?fileToken=" + fileID, UriKind.Relative);

default:returnnewUri("/MainPage.xaml", UriKind.Relative);

}

}

// Map everything else to the main page.

returnnewUri("/MainPage.xaml", UriKind.Relative);

}

}

}

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

16/31

Using the URI Mapper

Assign the custom URI Mapper to the root frame of the app in App.xaml.cs

privatevoidInitializePhoneApplication()

{

if (phoneApplicationInitialized)

return;

// Create the frame but don't set it as RootVisual yet; this allows the splash

// screen to remain active until the application is ready to render.

RootFrame = newPhoneApplicationFrame();

RootFrame.Navigated += CompleteInitializePhoneApplication;

// Assign the URI-mapper class to the application frame.

RootFrame.UriMapper = newAssociationUriMapper();

// Handle navigation failures

RootFrame.NavigationFailed += RootFrame_NavigationFailed;

// Handle reset requests for clearing the backstack

RootFrame.Navigated += CheckForResetNavigation;

// Ensure we don't initialize again

phoneApplicationInitialized = true;

}

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

17/31

Local St

SharedS

Accessing the File

Files passed to an app are stored by the OS in

a special folder called SharedStorage Receiving apps only have read access to

this folder

Copy file to local storage to access it

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

18/31

Retrieving the File

protectedasyncoverridevoid OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e){

// Get a dictionary of URI parameters and values.

IDictionary queryStrings = this.NavigationContext.QueryString;

// Have we been launched to handle a file association?

if (queryStrings.ContainsKey("fileToken"))

{

// Yes we have - get the file token

stringfileToken = queryStrings["fileToken"];

// Copy the file from shared storage

stringfilename = SharedStorageAccessManager.GetSharedFileName(fileToken);IStorageFile bugQueryFile = awaitSharedStorageAccessManager.CopySharedFileAsync(

ApplicationData.Current.LocalFolder, // Store in the local folder

filename, // keep the same filename

NameCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting, // Replace any existing file of the same name

fileToken);

// Do something with the file...

}

...

}

Use the SharedStorageAccessManager.GetSharedFileName andSharedStorageAccessManager.CopySharedFileAsyncmethods to acc

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

19/31

Sending a File to Another App

Your app can launch a file so another app can open it

privateasyncvoid LaunchFileButton_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs rea)

{

// Access local storage.

StorageFolder local = Windows.Storage.ApplicationData.Current.LocalFolder;

// Access the bug query file.

StorageFile bqfile = await local.GetFileAsync("file1.bqy");

// Launch the bug query file.Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(bqfile);

}

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

20/31

Reserved File Associations

Many file extensions are reserved for the built-in apps

.cer, .doc, .docx, .jpg, .mp3, .pptx etc.. Many more reserved by the OS

.ade, .adp .[ > 100 in total! ] .xnk

If you try to reserve a file association using one of the reserved types, the re

request will be ignored

See the documentation for a full list of the reserved file types

12/4/201220

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

21/31

Demo 2:

File Associations

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

22/31

Protocol Associations

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

23/31

Protocol Associations

Protocol association allows your app to automatically launch when another

special URI The URI begins with a protocol name that your app has registered for

For example, contoso is the protocol name in the following URI:

contoso:ShowProducts?CategoryID=aea6ae1f-9894-404e-8bca-ec47ec5b

After the colon, the rest of the URI can be set to whatever you want

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

24/31

Adding a Protocol Association to WMAppManifest.

To register your app for a protocol association, add a Protocol element in

Extensions element The Extensions element must follow immediately after the Tokens ele

Maximum of 10 protocol associations per app

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

25/31

Listening for a URI

When your app is launched to handle a protocol association, a deep link UR

your app/Protocol?encodedLaunchUri=contoso:ShowProducts?CategoryID=aea6ae

Implement a custom URI Mapper to parse the deep link URI and map to a p

app that will handle it, same as for File Associations

Protocol designates that the source

of the URI is a protocol associationThe full encoded launch URI

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

26/31

Launching a URI

Use the LaunchUriAsync method to launch another app that is registered fo

privatevoid Button_Click_1(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e){

// Launch a protocol

Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(newUri("jumpstart:NewSession"));

}

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

27/31

Reserved Protocol Associations

Some protocols are reserved for the built-in apps

http:, MailTo:, Map: Many more reserved by the OS

File:, Iehistory:, Javascript:, many more

If you try to reserve a protocol association using one of the reserved protoc

reservation request will be ignored

See the documentation for a full list of the reserved protocols

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

28/31

URI scheme Description

http:[URL] Launches the web browser and navigates to the spe

mailto:[email address]Launches the email app and creates a new messageemail address on the To line.Note that the email is not sent until the user taps se

ms-settings-accounts: Launches the Account Settings app.

ms-settings-airplanemode: Launches the Airplane Mode Settings app.

ms-settings-bluetooth: Launches the Bluetooth Settings app.

ms-settings-cellular: Launches the Cellular Settings app.

ms-settings-emailandaccounts: Launches the email and accounts settings app.

ms-settings-location: Launches the Location Settings app.

ms-settings-lock: Launches the Lock Screen settings app.

ms-settings-wifi: Launches the Wi-Fi Settings app.

Launching Built-in AppsUse LaunchUriAsync to launch many of the built-in apps

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

29/31

Launching Built-in Apps (continued)

URI scheme Description

zune:navigate?appid=[app ID] Launches the Windows Phone Store and shows the dspecified app.

zune:reviewapp Launches the Store and shows the review page for th

zune:reviewapp?appid=[app ID] Launches the Store and shows the review page for th

zune:search?[search parameter]=[value] Launches the Store and searches for the specified co

zune:search?keyword=[search keyword]

&contenttype=app

Launches the Store and searches for apps by keywor

zune:search?publisher=[publisher name] Launches the Store and searches for items by publish

zune:navigate?appid=[app ID]Launches the Windows Phone Store and shows the dspecified app.

zune:reviewapp Launches the Store and shows the review page for th

zune:reviewapp?appid=[app ID] Launches the Store and shows the review page for th

zune:search?[search parameter]=[value] Launches the Store and searches for the specified co

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

30/31

Summary

App can register to handle particular file types

When the user opens a file from a website, email message or SMS message,launched to process the file

One app can launch another by launching a file of a type for which the seco

registered a file association

App can register for an association with particular URI protocols

One app can launch another by launching a URI using a protocol for which t

has registered a protocol association

If more than one app has registered the same file or protocol association, th

to select which app should be launched

7/27/2019 S10 App to App Communication.pdf

31/31

The information herein is for informational

purposes only an represents the current view of

Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this

presentation. Because Microsoft must respond

to changing market conditions, it should not be

interpreted to be a commitment on the part of

Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the

accuracy of any information provided after the

date of this presentation.

2012 Microsoft Corporation.

All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.

MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION

IN THIS PRESENTATION.