Mobile Development

Mobile PCs refer to all mobile computers, including laptops, notebooks, Tablet PCs, ultra mobile PCs (UMPCs), and other form factors that are developed running Microsoft Windows XP or a later version of the full Windows operating system. Mobile development is the process of creating applications to run in the most optimized way on mobile PCs.

Mobile PC ConsiderationsApplications for mobile PCs need to be aware of the often constrained resources available and the changing states that occur as a result of not being in a static location. In order to give the user an optimal experience on a mobile PC, software must be aware of these changing conditions and react in the most appropriate way for the user.

Power ManagementOne of the main resource restrictions on a mobile PC is the limited power provided when running on a battery. In addition to being aware of the amount of power left and warning the user to save their work when it gets low, a great mobile PC application should be aware of when the machine is running on the battery and limit unnecessary activity. For instance, limit the use of animations or unnecessarily accessing network connections. For more information.

Network AwarenessA great mobile PC application is one in which the user rarely has to worry about network connectivity because the application seamlessly moves between wired and wireless connections, or even to no connection at all. Microsoft Windows provides interfaces that help your application determine the state of network connectivity and react accordingly. For more information, please see Network Awareness.