Resumable XAPs: All the details, plus a nice tool

[Jaxbot]

Hello again
I figured out a quick little change in the WMAppManifest.xml file that allows you to make your XAPs resume, rather than restart, when clicked on from the start menu.
Here's a demonstration:

So here's how it works:
In every WMAppManifest.xml file, located inside the XAPs, there's a line called "DefaultTask". In the Visual Studio IDE, there's little you can do with this line, but if you edit it post-compiling, you can actually do a lot of things. In this case, adding the term ActivationPolicy="Resume" to your DefaultTask will make the application resume the task, rather than replace it (default action). Here's an example:

Original:

<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" />

Resumable:

<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" ActivationPolicy="Resume"/>

This follows the same rules as the back button resuming, for example, if my dehydration hack is enabled, the code will resume instantly, and otherwise, it will resume with the usual "resuming..." message. It'll make sense

Should be fairly easy for you guys to figure out, and hopefully we'll see some developers integrate this directly into their code

For the end users, though, I've created a simple tool that does this patch for them, then deploys. Info and download over on my website:
http://windowsphonehacker.com/resumablexap

I'd say more, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. Let me know what you guys think, if you have any questions, etc.

Your friend,
Jaxbot

 

[mapaz04]

Awesome. Imma try this in a bit with some .xap files I got stored somewhere... jejeje

Sent from my []D[][]V[][]D ARRIVE using Board Express

 

[diboze]

thanks for this app

really nice find

 

[Marvin_S]

Cool hack thanks again

I have been experimenting with some xaps with this.

I found some quirky apps:

- Facebook (u already know)
- IMDB
- NU.nl
- Daily motion (does not play the video anymore)

All others I tested seem to work fine. I did not test any games.
Its probably bad coding or not storing the back history or something.

Thanks for the tool. It helps with productivity.

I btw notice more quirky behaviour with the dehydrate on (I could be mistaken)... how is your batterylife Jaxbot? Is it fine with normal use? Or do we have to be sure to close the apps etc?

 

[Sakem]

Are the apps stored in ram temporarily?

Does it affect general performances if you have 4/5 apps in "soft sleep" ?

 

[Jaxbot]

Are the apps stored in ram temporarily?

Does it affect general performances if you have 4/5 apps in "soft sleep" ?

If you have my dehydration hack enabled, yes, they're in the RAM.
In my experience, no, the performance isn't really affected (there's a reason for that), and as an example, I've had Twitter open for the last few days and I've seen no negative impacts.

 

[FlowerPotmen]

So its an updated version of this one:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=999475


FPM

 

[Jaxbot]

So its an updated version of this one:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=999475


FPM

Not really. That dehydration hack allowed applications to stay open in the background. This method allows applications to be resumed from that state, directly from the start menu.
Eg, the instant resuming allowed Twitter to be instantly resumed when the lock screen popped up, or when you dive into messages and then click Back.
This allows Twitter to be navigated from, and then returned to, say, a day later, and it will still be where you left it. Nifty, I thought.

 

[blindpet]

Does this new hack improve IM+ functionality? Will the app still have to reconnect with this hack? If so is this related to the lack of sockets in NoDo?

 

[Marvin_S]

Does this new hack improve IM+ functionality? Will the app still have to reconnect with this hack? If so is this related to the lack of sockets in NoDo?

It has to reconnect yes. This is the way IM+ is coded. However the contacts will still be displayed on the screen so its less annoying for sure.
It will look the same as opening IM+ then exit by pressing windows button, than click back, the exact same effect... only now you will have the same if you press a live tile

 

[blindpet]

Thanks for the quick reply, guess I'll have to wait for Mango for true messaging functionality despite all the hard work of devs.

 

[Jaxbot]

Thanks for the quick reply, guess I'll have to wait for Mango for true messaging functionality despite all the hard work of devs.

If you use native sockets, you can get around this, but it means you'll have to code your own IM client, which is no fun.

 

[parnunu]

if do this to all of your xap and dehydration hack.
it look like u have real multitask.

 

[Marvin_S]

if do this to all of your xap and dehydration hack.
it look like u have real multitask.

Indeed yes... Unfortunately in some cases it screws up the order of the backbutton press and you will not be able to "escape" from apps or go back to the main Menu. IMDB, FB, some others as well will have to be recoded in order to work with this hack

 

[domineus]

posted on wmpu
awesome job jaxbot per usual! cheers!

 

[Jaxbot]

posted on wmpu
awesome job jaxbot per usual! cheers!

Thanks for the post (saw it a second ago), but you need to update it:
This is for *current* Windows Phone builds, not Mango. Mango already has this feature built in.

Eg, if you have a developer unlocked device, you can use this on NoDo, pre-NoDo, RTM, etc. You don't need Mango.

 

[domineus]

Thanks for the post (saw it a second ago), but you need to update it:
This is for *current* Windows Phone builds, not Mango. Mango already has this feature built in.

Eg, if you have a developer unlocked device, you can use this on NoDo, pre-NoDo, RTM, etc. You don't need Mango.

I said that in the article too

 

[Jaxbot]

I said that in the article too

Yes, but this has nothing to do with Mango. In fact, it probably wouldn't even work on Mango.
Regardless, I do appreciate the mention

 

[domineus]

Yes, but this has nothing to do with Mango. In fact, it probably wouldn't even work on Mango.
Regardless, I do appreciate the mention

and I'm sorry too
I've been trying to amend it and it won't amend
However I did note in the comment it works on all devices
I sincerely apologize for the mixup darn thing didn't save at all ><
wordpress fail sorry man

 

[Jaxbot]

and I'm sorry too
I've been trying to amend it and it won't amend
However I did note in the comment it works on all devices
I sincerely apologize for the mixup darn thing didn't save at all ><
wordpress fail sorry man

No worries, I know the drill Just wanted to make sure you knew, wouldn't want trolls getting on ya
Good luck man, and again, thanks for the mention

~Jaxbot