title: Hide or not to hide the system tray in a Windows Phone 7 application?
body: <p>I am debating whether to hide or not to hide the system tray in a Windows Phone 7 application. I've not found any general suggestions on this issue -the <a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff637515%28v=vs.92%29.aspx">official Windows Phone design guidelines</a> don't address this issue at all - except for <a href="http://www.jeff.wilcox.name/2011/03/metro-design-guide-v1/">Jeff Wilcox's blog post</a> who suggested that he personally likes to see the system tray in applications. I'd like some general advice on this issue from other Windows Phone developers.</p>
  
  <p>Some reasons for showing the system tray are</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Doesn't take up that much space</li>
  <li>Users may want to see it at times</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Reasons for hiding it are</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>You can't control its background: unless you're using PhoneBackgroundBrush as the background the top row will stand out</li>
  <li>Lots of widely used / official apps already hide it: all games as well as the official Facebook and Twitter app.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>I'd appreciate all advice on this.</p>