Access WP8 Folder

Question

Can an application access and create a specific folder in a Windows Phone 8 environment? I look at creating an application for an audiobook and I want the user to be able to drop them into the audiobook folder on the phone itself, instead of navigating with the music folder. Can an application at least read from a specific folder outside of isolated storage?

Secondly, if so, is there any equivalent of the “.nomedia” file in Android that my application can insert into a folder to prevent scanning an audio book using music players on the phone?

I'm struggling to find relevant documentation that will answer my questions, as most of the documents seem to be related to WP7

Answer 1

RE: .nomedia file

In general, what you are asking for is not supported and is not free for zen WP8. Although I understand your need for a unique musical experience, the WP8 media system is centered around the Music + Video hub, and applications should work with it. Creating such an experience, as you described, would just feel the dissonance and annoyance of WP8.

RE: allows users to drag and drop files in the file explorer

Some WP8 phones support adding a Micro-SD card to the phone. This uSD card can be accessed from Explorer and WP8 applications can read files from it . The uSD card may have a Music folder that will be used by the Music + Video application and invisible to third-party applications. However, your application can read any files that are not in these reserved uSD folders. You can subscribe to file extensions, but most media WP8 file extensions are reserved for a first party experience .

RE: Hub Integration

Please do not forget to combine your music player into a Music + Video hub , otherwise it will most likely freeze to oblivion.