"Android App Inventor Lets You Be The Developer"

DAnDan · 12 Jul 2010 at 12:10

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/android-app-inventor-lets-you-be-the-developer-video/

"Google is following in Nokia's footsteps today by offering its users a simple-to-use DIY app maker. Employing a design scheme that relies on visual blocks rather than oodles of arcane code, the App Inventor -- still in Beta, of course -- has functions for "just about anything" you can do with an Android handset, including access to GPS and phone functionality. All that's really missing is the raw creative talent, which we're sure you'll be happy to provide. Hit the source link to get involved or skip past the break for an educational video."

Looks pretty awesome to me, hopefully will let people with a good idea, but who lack the necessary coding skills produce some simple but effective apps.

Now I just need to get myself an android phone and join the fun!

Jongo · 12 Jul 2010 at 12:44

looks very interesting! may have to have a play with it. Hopefully it lets you create some basic widgets as well.

Neodite · 12 Jul 2010 at 12:50

Ohhh do like.

Really want to give this a go

kona786 · 12 Jul 2010 at 13:55

That video was pants...what a carp way to show off App Inventor.

Sinopa · 12 Jul 2010 at 14:20

Has anyone got the driver to install in Win7 64bit?

I have ADB listed under in Other devices in Device Manager but Windows cannot find the driver when I try to install it manually as per the instructions here:
http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/learn/setup/setupwindows.html

CSlater · 12 Jul 2010 at 15:13

This is all well and good but I can't help feeling a little worried. Android doesn't just need more apps, but more good apps. Making it easier for anyone to make them will just mean it'll be harder to search through the crap before finding the good apps.

Sorry for the downer!

reefoid · 12 Jul 2010 at 15:44

Total number of apps is pretty meaningless really - 100,000, 200,000, who cares how many. As you say, its about the quality of the apps.

I think App Inventor is a good thing. Yes, there will be a lot more crap out there, but I'm sure some people will produce cracking apps that they wouldn't have been able to or had the inclination to do without this.

monkeysmith · 12 Jul 2010 at 22:28

This is brilliant. As a ICT teacher in a secondary school, I will be watching this with interest, hopefully we can integrate it into the curriculum shortly.

Imagine the apps when you start teaching kids to make apps at the age of 11. Sure there maybe some crap, but these will only get better with time.

Chris1712 · 12 Jul 2010 at 22:47

Has anyone actually got on this yet? I'd like to have a tinker, but looking at the videos it looks probably to simplistic to actually do anything useful with. What they really need is something between this and the SDK, .net and C# style.

V4NT0M · 12 Jul 2010 at 22:53

I think I may give this a go, publish XCOM ufopedias onto the market

doodah · 22 Jul 2010 at 14:49

Anyone got accepted yet?

Neodite · 22 Jul 2010 at 14:53

Not heard anything yet

reefoid · 22 Jul 2010 at 15:55

Registered on 12th July but not heard anything yet.

Hank_Marvin · 23 Jul 2010 at 10:54

not heard anything back yet.

doodah · 16 Aug 2010 at 10:23

So has anyone started making any apps?

SiD the Turtle · 16 Aug 2010 at 11:01

Not yet, but check your spam folders people. Amusingly I've been invited into the programme, but gmail thought it was spam

Skidder · 16 Aug 2010 at 12:24

Not arrived for me either.

I want to make an app to force the screen to switch from landscape to portrait and vice versa (as my accelerometer is broken and I want to make the phone more usable until my upgrade and don't see much point in repairing it as it is very scratched and ratty looking now). Presume that should be possible -any thoughts?

Vonsteve · 16 Aug 2010 at 13:14

Only applied for it a few days ago, Can't wait.

CliffyBiro · 20 Aug 2010 at 19:40

Just recieved access.

Downloading the extras then getting stuck into the tuts.

Deleted member 77746 · 20 Aug 2010 at 19:52

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