App Inventor and the Java Bridge

There seems to be software that relates Java to the code in App Inventor to help developers in App Inventor make the connection and be able to cross over to the more detailed and customizable environment of Android Development.

JAVA bridge resource links:

About the Bridge

To get started with the Bridge, download the sample project from the
App-Inventor-for-Android project at code.google.com<http://code.google.com/p/app-inventor-for-android/source/browse/trunk/>.

You can download the project source code with svn (subversion):  Connect to a directory where you typically keep Java projects and issue the command:

svn co
http://app-inventor-for-android.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/samples/Brid...

This should create a BridgeToJava folder on your computer, with all the files required to build the app.
[still trying to figure out how to do this...]

More links that may help with the svn mystery...

How to use Subversion with Eclipse.
and
SVN Howto

Next steps: Android development Platform

After taking a few preliminary steps using App Inventor (which is a lot of fun), I next wanted to try the Android Development Platform.

I found an Android for Dummies that had a step by step recipe type instructions. But Eclipse and the Android STK had changed so it was difficult to understand the instructions.

I next tried Hello Android by Ed Burnett, and although the format does not give you complete step by step setup instructions it gives one a clear orientation and the information that is required to connect the Java STK, with Android and Eclipse componets.

There are also good instructions at the Android Developers Website.

The components you need are:

•  First make sure you have JAVA installed on your computer.  To get a current copy, go to the ORACLE website.
• You will also need an editor of some kind the oldest and most used by people in the field is ECLIPSE, and you should dowload this as well.
• And the third piece is the Android STK.

To make sure it all talks to each other I ran the most basic of programs:  HelloWorld on the Android emulator (very much like the emulator in App Inventor).

Yeii! it Worked!  Now the real fun can begin.

Mobile Technology for Library Searches.

Mark Andy West et al, in their article "Expanding Access to Library Collections and Services using Small Screens", highlights the use of the BSUL's mobile technology to do journal and catalog searches.

Their CardCat Mobile app allows students and faculty to search for an author, a title or a subject from their hand-held device. CardCat Mobile displays book information like location, call number, and availability for each result revealed by the search.

Firing up App Inventor for Android

I have finally finished the last of the beginner tutorials and am starting to build up my list of projects. So far it is easy enough, but I would like to get a clearer picture of exactly how the components work. A good resource for this is App Inventor - Create your own Android Apps.

So in order to test drive App inventor and analyze its viability for creating mobile applications for libraries and other related users, I have to first download that application and create a phone emulator (since I currently do not own smart phone).

I started out by first logging on to the App Inventor set up page, and followed the instructions there.

1. Install and test your JAVA installation
2. Set up your phone emulator or your phone
3. Install App Inventor (the app inventor design stage is web based)

Once all the components are loaded there are several beginner tutorials:
HelloPurr (yes, this deals LOL cats)
PaintPot (a little paint application)
MoleMash (a game)
PicCall (phone functionality)

Java Tips

This site has a beginner tutorial for Java for use with Android: Learn Java for Android Development: Introduction to Java


Here is a great site full of resources I found to help learn all about Java: NetBeans.org

Mobile Technology in the Library

So being a graduate student I'm taking a lot of wonderful classes on all aspects of Library Science and  related knowledge.  One area I felt I needed more exposure to was Mobile Technology.  So for a while at least I'm going to use this blog as a diary for my mobile learning escapades. I started last week with some links my professor Jacek Gwizdka sent me:

http://groups.google.com/group/app-inventor-instructors
and
http://groups.google.com/group/app-inventor-instructors/browse_frm/thread/10a64e64b7886afb

Which in turn led me to a bunch more!  So the journey begins!

[more mobile technology]