Unofficial WP7 Homebrew Marketplace gets a start

While we await Microsoft's solution to the Hombrew community, something that will take a chip of a hit with NoDo (since ChevronWP7 won't piece of work with it), developers are still going frontwards, regardless.

Over at XDA, developer kuerbis2 has laid the groundwork for a Homebrew Marketplace by releasing a new XAP installer and even more importantly, a protocol handler (like the "zune:"-URLs) called "wphome". That last chip sort of huge every bit it allows people to "register" their homebrew XAP files, thereby creating hyperlinks to permit easy distribution/installation of said files. The features so far are summarized as follows:

In-place update on the telephone: In-place update on the phone, e.m. if you already have Version 1.0.0.0 of an app installed on the phone and install 1.0.2.0 an in-identify update will performed. No more total "uninstall-new install" bicycle required. Your settings, custom files etc. won't be removed (same as marketplace update)

Deploy from file or URL: You can either specify a file or an URL. If you enter an URL the installer will automatically download the xap.

Ain protocol "wphome": Zune'south one-click download for homebrew apps. Automatically install homebrew XAPs with a click on a hyperlink. If you desire, you lot can register the application for the wphome protocol. The application volition and then be immune to handle urls similar wphome:world wide web.examination.com/test.xap and volition automatically start as before long as you lot click on such a link

Like we said, this is pretty large news as no one has gone this far in creating a framework for a homebrew marketplace. If enough devs adopt this protocol (and nosotros see little reason why they should not), then nosotros'll have a standard for distribution, every bit opposed to just attachments in a forum. Of course, people even so need a manner to side-load applications i.due east. developer unlocked without paying $99 a yr--for that we'll have to wait for Microsoft to provide a solution, otherwise the homebrew community will exist forever niche. Stay tuned for more...

Source: XDA; Thanks, Tobias, for the tip!

This huge Xbox 'Quick Resume' update will give gamers more control

Xbox Insiders Update

This huge Xbox 'Quick Resume' update will give gamers more than control

Microsoft is adding a new feature to Xbox consoles, allowing you to permanently shop up to two games in a Quick Resume state at all times. The characteristic is heading out kickoff to Xbox Insiders in the Alpha testing ring before hit the general public.