introducing android app inventor

Chad Mairn, M.L.I.S.St. Petersburg College

slideshare.net/chadmairn

Presented February 23, 2011 at HandheldLibrarian.org

Native Apps vs. Web AppsIssues Native apps Web apps

Internet access Not required Required, except for apps written in HTML5 (offline capabilities)

Shareable content (Twitter etc.) Only if it is built in to the app Web links can be shared. Social API’s allow 1-click posting

Access to hardware sensors Yes: camera, gyroscope, microphone, compass, accelerometer, GPS

Access thru browser is limited. Geolocation works!

Development Build app for target platform (Android, iOS etc.)

Write once, publish once, view it anywhere.

Distribution Most app stores require approval. No hassles.

Source: http://www.webmonkey.com/2010/08/how-do-native-apps-and-web-apps-compare/Shortened URL: http://goo.gl/PyvJ

What is App Inventor?

A web-based app development tool that allows non-developers to create Android apps.

Using it is like putting a puzzle together.

App Inventor resembles …

ScratchLEGO MINDSTORMS

Image source: http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/learn/whatis/index.html

Designer – add components (e.g., buttons, labels, sounds, text fields, accelerometer etc.)

Block Editor – adjust the app’s layout using drag-and-drop functionality in order to define the behavior of your app.

Getting Started with App Inventor using Windows. Sorry Mac and Linux users.

Install current version of Java in order to run the Block Editor

Find and install drivers if your phone’s USB drivers aren’t pre-packaged

Locate your phone’s model number behind the battery. (e.g., SGH-T959ZKATMB) and search the manufacturer’s web site for an appropriate USB driver.

Extract USB driver to C:\Program\Android\appinventor- extras\usb_driver_samsunga

You may need to install the drivers via Device Manager [USB, Android Debug Bridge (ADB Interface), and CDC Abstract Control Model (ACM)]

Phone settings:

Tap Menu >>> Settings >>> Applications.

o Unknown Sources box should be checked.o On Development screen, place checks next to USB Debugging and Stay Awake.o On Sound & Display screen make sure Orientation is not checked. o USB connected and USB debugging connected icons should display on your phone.

Live Demonstration

Select Resources

• Android App Inventor Tutorials: http://www.appinventor.org/

• Google Labs: http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/learn/

• Blocks Reference: http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/learn/reference/blocks/

• FAQ’s: http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/learn/userfaq.html

• Stark, J. (2010). Building Android apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Sebastopol, CA:

O'Reilly.

Contact Information