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App Inventor lets you build your own Android app (well, soon: it's in closed beta)
Just take a look at what Google has crafted! Read through the tutorials, or watch the video after the break. It's simple yet so functional. If you want to get in on the action, you need to sign up for the App Inventor for Android closed beta. You might have to lie about being an educator, though...
I think we might actually be seeing a resurgence in the teaching of programming and logical, syntactic thinking! First Microsoft Small Basic, and now this! There was even some talk of a HyperCard-esque development tool emerging on iOS, but the no-non-native-code license agreement would seemingly make that infeasible.
This might be an actual return to scientific trial-and-error education... how blissful that would be! No more frakkin' spoon feeding!
[via Technologizer]
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsEatmoldJul 12th 2010 8:20AM
Any idea on how long we'll have to wait for access?
Sebastian AnthonyJul 12th 2010 8:24AM
I would only be guessing :) But looking at it... I would say... within a few months!
(But I'm sure if you are an educator, you could get an invite by filling in the form properly...!)
jbarovJul 14th 2010 7:57AM
when this does come out, would it be available for download on the mac?
Sebastian AnthonyJul 14th 2010 8:01AM
Good question -- I assume so. Google's SDKs are all cross-platform so far, I think.
jbarovJul 14th 2010 8:06AM
and the apps you make in app inventor are only downloadable for the android?
jamesJul 27th 2010 9:34AM
Great, now devs will find it harder if a wider range of people start building, any how it will widen the type of apps.
airting007Jul 28th 2010 1:09PM
Google actually ran some beta testing in colleges last year too. http://googleresearch.blogspot.com/2009/07/app-inventor-for-android.html
As a part of that program, I can say that appinventor has potential but it isn't quite user friendly, at least from what I saw. A couple notes:
-There is no download. Appinventor is all online, so your projects are stored in the cloud like everything else Google. Compilation is all handled by google, and you don't even have to have a cable to put it on your phone. Appinventor can host the file and present a QR code for you to scan and download the application you compile.
-The Blocks Editor which is displayed briefly can be confusing to navigate since you have to find the right block within several panels and menus. It does however provide a very interesting, new way to view programming. Complex applications however would most likely be overwhelming to view in this form.
-Though Appinventor seems like a great way to introduce more basic ideas of software design, I think it's adoption in educational settings is linked to the success of Android. There is no way to test your application in Appinventor other than using an Android phone, so in order for schools to use Appinventor, they also have to have the phones. There is little motivation to develop applications you can't try out because you don't own the device.
just a couple thoughts