amCharts for HTML5/JavaScript

I have developed several web and mobile apps, some of which needed some sort of data visualization.  Among my arsenal of charting tools is amCharts.  So far, I have used their charts for Silverlight, WPF, and Windows Phone 7 platform-based applications, and they have always performed great.

With my recent dive into developing apps using HTML5/Javascript/JQuery, I needed to make sure I had a decent option for charting data.  And sure enough, with the recent release of amChart’s charting controls for Javascript/HTML5, I know I have a reliable option for charting.

Check out their website here for a closer look at all their tools and controls.

Amber Central wins Microsoft State/Local Govt App contest

In December,  Microsoft launched the Windows Phone Government Apps Contest for state and local government partners to create and submit apps to be deployed into immediate production.

With the recent launch of the new Windows Phone, this contest provided an excellent opportunity for partners, developers, and hobbyists to showcase their skills by creating a Windows Phone application that meets real world needs of citizens or government customers.

Through this effort, a good mix of apps came about, that facilitates citizen engagement, increase transparency and improve access to government services—all while improving the customer experience for citizens and productivity for government employees.

The final deliberations have been made, and at the 2011 US Public Sector CIO Summit the contest judges announced the winning entries.  50 app entries were accepted, and only 10 were chosen.   And yours truly was on that favored list.

Thanks to Microsoft for hosting this competition, and if you are interested in developing for the Windows Phone 7 platform, Microsoft has launched another apps contest for Health and Life Sciences.  Click here for more info.

SvFx for Windows Phone 7 (Beta)

Are you currently developing for the Windows Phone Platform?  If you are like me, creating sleek UI animations and controls isn’t your greatest gift.  So, enter SvFx controls for the Windows Phone 7.

According to their website:

SvFx for Windows Phone includes all SvFx controls ported to Windows Phone platform. You can use Carousel, TransitionControl, SlideShow and TextAnimation controls to build applications for Windows Phone mobile devices.
About 500 ready animation patterns included.

There are several notes about this release:

• Currently there is no toolbox items registered inside VisualStudio.
• It is not possible to use single “cellbi” XAML namespace prefix.
• This release does not include samples.
• There is no documentation included.

Their development team would like to get your feedback.
Let’s help make SvFx controls better.

See some of the controls in action here.  And if you are a fellow blogger, check out on of their special offers.

SvFx for Windows Phone Beta is now available for free. Please request your free download via support@cellbi.com