Getting Started with Xamarin

In this episode, Robert is joined by James Montemagno, who shows us what is new in the latest version of Xamarin.Forms, which enables you to build a native UI for three platforms with one shared C# codebase. Simply put, if you know C# then you already know how to build iOS, Android, and Windows apps. Xamarin.Forms is already packed with tons of awesome and recently had a major overhaul with Xamarin.Forms 2.0, but the fun didn't stop there as there have been amazing new features introduced. James gives a full break down of all the spectacular features that have been recently released and a peek into the future of Xamarin.Forms.
Resources
does Xamarin Forms support a WPF like Canvas control?
@SteveRichter: i think it is called AbsoluteLayout https://developer.xamarin.com/api/type/Xamarin.Forms.AbsoluteLayout/
The Problem I see with Microsoft+Xamarin - it brings nothing to Windows. Seriously.
It just helps windows developers to migrate to android/ios. RIP Windows Phone.
@BlackTiger: The beauty here is that you can now reach all platforms from a shared code base. No matter what platform you want to go to you can do it in C# inside of Visual Studio. The Xamarin.Forms UI library has full support for iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, 8.1, Store 8.1, and UWP. Truly universal :)
@JamesMontemagno: What about RoboVM? Any plans to dump, open-source it?
@exim: You can read more about RoboVM on their website, I don't have any more information than that.
Can anyone point out where is the .iso image of visual studio 2015 update 3 enterprise?
Not the online installer, not some .exe file... just plain raw .iso image.
Thank you!
Just to point out, I've downloaded that exe file from VS website, run it with /layout flag (somewhere on VS forums it was mentioned that it will donwload the iso image), but it downloaded some 22GB crap... The iso image should be 5-6GB shouldn't it?
@exim: Try https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=708984. I just used that and got the 6GB ISO you are looking for.
Robert
Thank you very much, Robert! (just to make sure, I want that 90 day trial enterprise variant, not the community version).
Hi Robert, just to clarify, that link gives you an iso image for Update 3 only, i.e. you should already have VS 2015 installed (probably with Update 2, not sure...). Is there a link for a complete iso image for full VS 2015 update 3? (enterprise trial).
@JamesMontemagno Can you help me find that toolbox extension you use for Xamarin.Forms Xaml I did some google search but couldn't find anything.
Thank You.
@exim: If you download VS Enterprise Trial today, it has Update 3 already built in.
Robert
Thank you, Robert.
@JamesMontemagno: Any plans for supporting desktop platforms for Xamarin.Forms?
For some type of apps where Forms is a good option (e.g. business/CRUD), I also consider Qt/QML because it supports desktop out of the box (but you have to deal with JavaScript crap...).
Which tool are you using for the iOS Simulator for Windows?
What's missing is Xamarin.Forms for macOS. A version that integrates with UWP would be awesome too.
@Rashun Mosley: You can install it from https://developer.xamarin.com/guides/cross-platform/windows/ios-simulator/ you will still need a mac on the network to connect to.
@Jeff Lewis: We have full UWP Support: https://developer.xamarin.com/guides/xamarin-forms/platform-features/windows/installation/universal/
Ok.. Now.. how about MacOS? :)
I second the need for macos support for Xamarin forms
I haven't look at the code yet for Evolve app but how are you doing the login? are you using xamarin company registration login or custom login that I can use to build my own?
thanks
We need an equivalent control to UWP's GridView control. This should be first priority. Not carousel.