scersig: creating android apps with app inventor 26 october 2011 ric paul, health services library,...

SCERSIG: Creating SCERSIG: Creating Android Apps with App Android Apps with App InventorInventor26 October 2011Ric Paul, Health Services Library, Southampton

Options for Creating AppsOptions for Creating AppsApple

◦iOS SDKWindows

◦Visual StudioAndroid

◦App Inventor◦Developer’s Toolkit

App Inventor: Getting App Inventor: Getting StartedStartedInstall softwareInternet connectionBut… don’t need an Android

phone

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Robban Andersson

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www.appinventorbeta.com/aboutGoogle login + internet required

App InventorApp InventorSimple, low-tech approach to

programmingFree to use – but software

installation requiredTutorials available on the siteTutorial videos on YouTube

Design your interface on this screenOpen the Blocks Editor to edit code

Interface DesignInterface DesignDrag and drop components onto

the screen imageEdit component names and initial

statusChoose from a range of

components – buttons, text objects, social media tools, etc.

Connect from here to a phone or emulator to test

Blocks EditorBlocks EditorDrag containers for each

component onto the surfacePlug actions, events & properties

into the containerNo formal programming is

required

Finalising AppsFinalising AppsFinished app can be installed on a

phone directly or via a QR codeDistribute the app via the QR code

– or upload to Android MarketA tool like Marketizer can help

◦www.taiic.com/marketizerApps can be updated later – users

will be alerted that an update is available

DownsidesDownsidesApp Inventor apps are large files

– there’s nothing you can do to reduce them

This is an Android-only product – there’s no equivalent for iOS or Windows Mobile

App Inventor is no longer supported directly by Google