Live Tile updates

Question

How do you create a live tile for Windows Phone 7? I was wondering because I would basically like to have text that updates on the live tile once per 1-5 minutes that a user could just glance at. Would this timing be possible?

Answer 1

To update the tile you can use a push Notification or ShellTileSchedule.

The level of frequency you are talking about is technically possible with puch notifications but not with a schedule. The highest frequency you can use for a Schedule is hourly.

I would seriously recommend reviewing updating at the frequency level you are talking about though.

• Is the data really going to update that often?
• Is the user realisitically going to be checking their phone that often?

If you need to update the user quickly when data changes their are alternatives which are probably better suited. e.g. SMS, email, automated call or toast notification.

You should also consider updating less frequently. People don't check their phone that often 24 hours a day. Would it be very serious if the data a user saw was an hour old?

Answer 2

There is a great article here: http://chriskoenig.net/2010/08/16/customizing-wp7-push-notification-tiles/

Answer 3

Technically, you can do this as Matt advises. You should be aware of the related app cert reqt, and if in doubt, follow up with Microsoft directly if your usage would be considered "excessive".

From the App Cert Reqts: 2.13.2 The application and its use of the PNS must not excessively use network capacity or bandwidth of the PNS or otherwise unduly burden a Windows Phone or other Microsoft device or service with excessive push notifications, as determined by Microsoft in its reasonable discretion, and must not harm or interfere with any

Within that constraint, it's really a matter of how much bandwidth you want to use from your server sending out the notices and how much bandwidth the user wants to consume from their phone's data plan.

On the last point, I would recommend making the frequency of updates user configurable down to whatever maximium you decide is appropriate.