Windows App Studio June ’16 update brings REST API Data Source, open source improvements, and more

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by Radu Tyrsina 

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Windows App Studio has already attempted to make coding easier for those that aren’t necessarily code savvy. As the company attempts to bring more and more unique applications to the Windows Universal Platform, they’re offering improvements to bring developers all of the tools they need. Today, Windows App Studio received a massive update that delivers some of the most anticipated additions to its list of growing features.

Stealing the show as what the Windows App Team states is one of the most requested features in the history of the tool, REST API Data Source is now available. This Application Programming Interface works similarly to the already-implemented RSS API. REST retrieves information from the internet and places them into the application.

For this release, however, the Windows App Studio is only supporting GET commands to pull information instead of full implementation. Currently, the API is still in a rough stage that the team hopes to improve and make easier to use later down the line. For a step-by-step tutorial specifically on how to use the new REST API Data Source, visit the Developer blog post.

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Alongside the REST API, Windows App Studio is expanding the already large amount of capabilities for your app. Now developers are able to enable features such as Live Tiles, Notifications, Cortana, and so much more as they bring their web app to UWP.

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More highlights of the new release include:

  • Simulator Improvements
  • Ordering & Paging
  • Dark & Light Themes
  • New Shell Control
  • New Detail Pages
  • New About page
  • Performance improvements
  • Carousel & Slider View
  • Pagination and Infinite Scroll
  • Improved Ordering (particularly through Live Tiles)

Windows App Studio Libraries now have improved control with additions such as:

  • HtmlBlock
  • InfiniteScroll
  • Animated GIFs
  • Carousel Redesign
  • Slider View
  • REST API Data Source
  • Data Sources Ordering & Paging
  • Data Sources Language Awareness

But that’s not all! Thanks to the RSS Data Source handling the “yandex:full-tex” property that many other countries use for their apps, the Windows App Studio Libraries have become even more in line with open source. Even though Microsoft had to remove Instagram from the data source, the Windows App Studio has made significant changes to improve the development of apps. Impressive updates like these are only possible due to feedback from developers, so be certain to voice any thoughts on the Windows App Studio forum.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina Shield

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.