Clock

[zachnehrenberg]

As of right now, XNA games will have direct access to the Zune's hardware. If they keep it like this, there will be games on Zune.

[Carlos]

Why are you talking about XNA Games in a Thread about a Clock Mod?

[Omnidragon]

Originally Posted by zachnehrenberg

As of right now, XNA games will have direct access to the Zune's hardware. If they keep it like this, there will be games on Zune.

I'm sorry but dont have a clue what you are talking about with managed code you NEVER have direct access to hardware EVER. thats the whole point of XNA so you dont have to worry about that you never ever get that low level

[PityOnU]

Originally Posted by CarbonOS

Why don't we cut up a watch and try to cram it into the back panel of the zune or something? Have like, a rectangle cut out of the plastic for the LCD display go in flush.

Then again, I don't know how much free space there is inside the casing.

Hahahaha. That would actually be kind of sweet. A big FU to all of those people who constantly whine about a lack of a clock (if you are reading this, tht means YOU).

[zachnehrenberg]

There are applications that have direct access to the hardware, such as ASSEMBLY CODE. Right now, XNA 3.0 working with Zune is still in its early stages and has direct access to the Zune's hardware. It actually quits the Zune's interface all together right now. This will probably all be changed closer to release anyway though.

[Omnidragon]

Originally Posted by zachnehrenberg

There are applications that have direct access to the hardware, such as ASSEMBLY CODE. Right now, XNA 3.0 working with Zune is still in its early stages and has direct access to the Zune's hardware. It actually quits the Zune's interface all together right now. This will probably all be changed closer to release anyway though.

Do you have a copy that no one else knows about? as XNA3.0 isnt out yet even in a beta. and yes assembly code can assess the hardware as its a hardware alnguage but you dont write assembly in XNA you write C# and the only thhing that has anythign to do witht he XNA is the XNA API's that we call and manipulte data from again please learn what you are describing

[Lucifer]

Was this moved to "In Progress"? because I was under the opinion that this was at some point a request, and uhm, forgive me for saying this, but isn't it obvious that there has been just about 0 progress toward this feature on the part of anyone here? (unless someone has managed to alter the firmware without making the zune software and hardware reject the firmware... ) I'm sorry for such a bizarre comment... but it's an on topic question.

[Darth Camel]

Originally Posted by umisguy

Was this moved to "In Progress"? because I was under the opinion that this was at some point a request, and uhm, forgive me for saying this, but isn't it obvious that there has been just about 0 progress toward this feature on the part of anyone here? (unless someone has managed to alter the firmware without making the zune software and hardware reject the firmware... ) I'm sorry for such a bizarre comment... but it's an on topic question.

Yeah, I don't understand why this in "In Progress." I think it's been established that a clock isn't going to happen.

[stkr]

At least through hacking anyway.

[zachnehrenberg]

Originally Posted by Omnidragon

Do you have a copy that no one else knows about? as XNA3.0 isnt out yet even in a beta. and yes assembly code can assess the hardware as its a hardware alnguage but you dont write assembly in XNA you write C# and the only thhing that has anythign to do witht he XNA is the XNA API's that we call and manipulte data from again please learn what you are describing

When you compile C# code, it is converted into assembly code. Also, I know someone that has the alpha beta version of XNA 3.0, but it will only work on computers of the Microsoft employees working on the project. Please learn about what you are saying.

[Omnidragon]

Yes i is complied in to assembly but we have no control over that. The fact remains thats you can only use certain API's within XNA for the Zune and we already know these are restriced. You do not have direct access to the hardware at all and unless the internal clock is exposed to XNA and then that API is allowed public access and then that is allowed in the XNA API's to be used for the Zune its not going to happen.
oh and on a different point there is no "alpha beta" the candidate list is Alpha candidate # once it has passed alpha then it goes to a beta candidate and then to a release candidate.

But point remains that you DO NOT code in assembly
and on another point its not in its early stages at all XNA3.0 is near completion as was demonstrated at GDC

[pont]

I know I am going to seem like a troll and perhaps I am, But C# is not compiled into assembler or machine code. Its compiled into Microsofts Intermediate Language whitch is run ontop of the Common Language Runtime hence managed code.

Anyhow if you really want to know about this you can find out about it on wikipeida, although i can't post the link

So any access that the your C# program has to hardware, It has through the CLR, If microsoft don't want you to do something on the Zune they prolly won't let you access it through the CLR.

System.DateTime I think would be supported by XNA. I think they would support most of the System namespace.

[zkello]

so this is a game thread now?

[Lucifer]

Originally Posted by pont

I know I am going to seem like a troll and perhaps I am, But C# is not compiled into assembler or machine code. Its compiled into Microsofts Intermediate Language whitch is run ontop of the Common Language Runtime hence managed code.

Anyhow if you really want to know about this you can find out about it on wikipeida, although i can't post the link

So any access that the your C# program has to hardware, It has through the CLR, If microsoft don't want you to do something on the Zune they prolly won't let you access it through the CLR.

System.DateTime I think would be supported by XNA. I think they would support most of the System namespace.

Yes, the XNA 3.0 and C# together will all be only running as managed code, and not assembly... meaning that part of the load time of the zune starting the game is likely a runtime assembly of the prepared code, otherwise the C# and XNA will be running in some sort of Virtual Machine, either way we have no control over the assembler data or functionality.

Originally Posted by zkello

so this is a game thread now?

I hope not, the only reason people are talking XNA in the thread about clocks... is because people believe that XNA and C# will allow the zune to display a clock, and while that's a possibility, I'd rather have my clock in the main system menu of my zune, alongside with the progress display as shown earlier in a mock-up someone else did, sadly I don't recall where the mock-up was posted, or who by, but it looked very nice.

[JasonH]

Yeah, I'd rather have a devoted clock function than a function that is difficult to reach.

[pont]

Originally Posted by umisguy

otherwise the C# and XNA will be running in some sort of Virtual Machine

bingo.

Originally Posted by JasonH

Yeah, I'd rather have a devoted clock function than a function that is difficult to reach.

I agree completly, But realistically using XNA to create a clock is alot more likely to happen, unless say rockbox for the zune appears.

[Espin01]

Perhaps once we start making games with XNA Studio 3 (I think that's what its called) someone will make a clock. Clock and Games right now are the only things iPods have that Zune does not.

[PityOnU]

I have my cell phone, what else do I need?

I'll tell you what I need, a clock on the Zune! It would be nice, but not required. It's just a media player guys, not a swiss army knife.

[stkr]

Originally Posted by Espin01

Perhaps once we start making games with XNA Studio 3 (I think that's what its called) someone will make a clock. Clock and Games right now are the only things iPods have that Zune does not.

Yeah, if you exclude completely functional software and the rest of the "Extras" section which include a stopwatch, calendar, notes for storing txt files, auto playlists, a search function on the device, on-the-go playlists, contacts (still haven't figured that one out yet), screen lock, and video organization for all files supported, and the ability to add and/or remove items from your menus and playlists.

[bharreld]

I've got to admit I skipped the whole thread except for this last page, but what is the big deal about an mp3 player having a clock?