Guidance requested for programming tablet devices

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I'm possibly going to need a new app that runs on a Surface type tablet. It will be a tool for utility workers (I have yet to hire) to collect monthly water and electric power meter readings, so it will probably be simple - a couple of forms, a simple database, and some method of sending readings to the billing department.

I've never worked with these small format devices. Is there anything I need to know about them that makes creating apps for them tricky?

TIA for any suggestions!

What I have tried:

I'm really trying to avoid going off half-cocked here, so I'm asking advice before I start.

Posted 20-Oct-23 16:15pm

Roger Wright

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[no name] 21-Oct-23 4:40am

They support "pen input"; so you might want to think about that when designing your forms (if it can work for you).

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OriginalGriff · Answer 1 · 2023-10-20T19:38:00

If it's running Windows, then just treat it as a desktop app. The only difference is the text can look small and fingers can be quite big, so some way to set a text size is a good idea along with larger than normal buttons and related controls; as well as being aware that the screen may switch from Portrait to landscape and vice versa while your app is running. Also remember that the soft keyboard is pretty big, so it can block a significant part of the screen - if users are trying to enter data and it covers the input area it can make it awkward for them unless you react to that.

I have many apps I run on my desktop and Surface Go 2, and a couple that also run on the Surface 3 Pro attached to the kitchen cupboards without problems, but some external apps that don't "follow the rules" can really annoy: Excel works fine for example, but Kaspersky keeps chiming in with it's VPN ad and none of the buttons respond to touch based "mouse" clicks.

You should probably look at what difference "Tablet mode" makes - I don't use it so I haven't worried about it.

Get hold of one the tablets and knock up a quick "feasibility study" app to see what I mean.