Introduction

When Android was first introduced by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, my first thought was of how awesome it would be to have a free open-source application environment for the growing smart phone revolution. The harsh reality hit when I tried to apply my rusty programming skills to the Java and Android software development kit (SDK). The learning curve was too steep, with too few rewards to keep me going. Then Google announced the amazing App Inventor, which makes it possible for anyone to build Android applications. I was excited and my hope for building my own applications was renewed. As I have learned, played with, and grown with App Inventor, I have been amazed at what non-experts (including me) can build with this tool. After having spent a few months with App Inventor, I have found my journey to traditional Java and SDK development much easier, more fun, and less frustrating.

Who This Book Is For

This book is for anyone from a complete computer newbie to an experienced designer and developer. It will help anyone familiarize themselves with the App Inventor interface and components.

The really exciting news is that the world of Android applications awaits you even if you have absolutely zero programming knowledge. If you have ever had a brilliant idea for an application, App Inventor can help that idea become a reality. If you have ever been curious about how phone applications are created and function, you can learn by creating applications yourself. App Inventor is also great for rapid prototyping applications for testing and display.

This book helps you create applications for your Android device using Google’s App Inventor for Android. App Inventor is a Web-based application that allows everyone from ordinary phone owners to experienced developers to create applications for Android.

App Inventor for Android: Build Your Own Apps — No Experience Required! is also great for designers or developers with great ideas and a solid background in development. App Inventor can allow very technical and experienced app developers to spend less time worrying about debugging, syntax, and development and more time making rock-star applications.

Part I: Getting Up and Running with Google App Inventor

You start with an exploration of the interface and a simple project application. In Part I, you become familiar with the interface and the basic components.

By immediately adding components and programming logic, any hesitation you may have about programming with App Inventor is eased. Each part of the App Inventor interface is explained. This allows you to move into the Part II with confidence and comfort.

Part II: Designing Your Own Apps: Step-by-Step Guides

In this part, you learn the basics of designing applications from a napkin sketch to a functioning application. I walk you through the process of creating various apps ranging from a child’s alphabet tracing game to a Bluetooth chat client, and more. Many of the applications contain concepts and programming that you can use in your own applications.

Part III: Reference and Appendixes

This book also contains a Blocks and Component Reference that covers important blocks not covered in the project chapters. I explain blocks such as text blocks and demonstrate them graphically. You can use the examples to add functionality to your project or meet a specific design goal.

If you have not set up your phone to connect to the App Inventor application, you can find information for setting up your computer and Android phone in Appendix A. Appendix B shows you all of the steps needed to set up your own TinyWebDB Service. The TinyWebDB service is used throughout the book as a Web database service. With a few minutes investment, you create your own Web service for your applications to store and interchange data.

Downloadable Project Files and Bonus Content

For most of the projects, you need to download the project files and extract them to a location on your computer where you can find them easily later. When you’re finished with each application, it will be fully functioning and can be loaded onto most Android devices. The project files can be downloaded from www.wiley.com/go/appinventorandroid.

Also on the Web site, you will find a Bonus Chapter called "Sprite Interaction: A Physics Primer." This more advanced chapter appears on the Web as a downloadable .PDF viewable with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

About This Book

This book follows a few typographical conventions for the sake of clarity. New terms appear in an italic font. URLs and special terms (such as block, event, or procedure names) appear in a monospaced font. Text you should type also appears in a monospaced font.