I just noticed the updated statistics at the appinventor.mit.edu web site:
- Weekly Active Users: 102K
- Total Registered Users: 2.5M
- Countries: 195
- Apps Built: 6.8M
App Inventor Alert: Problems loading projects?
From the MIT App Inventor web site:
Summary: We have been having problems with storing “assets” image, sounds and other objects that you upload to your projects. We are working with Google to resolve these problems as soon as possible.
Things to be aware of:
If we fail to read an asset when you load your project, we substitute a zero-length file. Be careful exporting your projects, as assets may be missing from the “.aia” file exported. Make sure you keep a local copy of your assets on your own computer.
We have been making modifications to the system to mitigate the worst of the problems. In particular we will never serve up a missing asset to the “buildserver” when you package an App. This ensure that if you successfully package an App, the resulting APK is valid. If we fail to read an asset, you will get a “Build Failed” message. If this happens, just keep trying the build. It may work the second or third time around. If it never seems to work, you can remove your assets from your project and upload them again. This may help.
December 8-14 is Computer Science Education Week
The Computer Science Education Week coincides with the “Hour of Code” initiative. This example lesson is based on MIT’s Scratch (which is similar to App Inventor).
There are 33 introductory tutorials available for the “Hour of Code” project (teachers may optionally create their own as well).
One of the official tutorial opportunities is based on App Inventor.
Use caution in interpreting the hype over “Hour of Code”. It’s a primitive introduction to some limited programming concepts; many of the tutorials have limited association with computer science. If your expectations are set appropriately, its fine.
Google expected to introduce new Java compiler
The upcoming Jack & Jill compilers in Android | Saikoa.
Most Android apps are written in the Java programming language. Google’s Android software development system converts “source code” (a text file) written in Java, into the code that runs on the Android device.
In many programming language systems, source code is converted into the “machine instructions” of the processor. The processor does not speak “Java” but speaks its own language. A program called a “compiler” converts the original program source code into the “machine language” of the processor.
Many programs for Windows, for example, have been converted into the individual instructions that are processed by an Intel or AMD processor. The “compiler” converts the program source code into a .exe file that contains the machine language instructions of the Intel and AMD processor.
But what if you wanted your program to run on a hardware device that has a Qualcomm or ARM processor?
Continue reading Google expected to introduce new Java compiler
Android App Helps Deaf To Communicate – created in App Inventor
Created by a doctor in India that knew nothing about programming – but discovered App Inventor: LET ME HEAR AGAIN, An Android App That Helps Deaf To Communicate.
Inexpensive Android tablet and smart phone available
Chances are, if you are writing App Inventor apps for Android, you already have an Android smart phone or tablet. If not, Amazon has slashed prices on their Amazon Fire Phone, 32GB (Unlocked GSM) and their Amazon Fire HD 7 tablet (but do see NOTE below!):
NOTE – the Fire HD runs Android but its not a fully open Android tablet. However, there are some work arounds; more info on that here. Here is a CNet web page that shows specifically how to load other apps – there are some limitations so read the whole link. I do not own this tablet and have not tested it with App Inventor. Appears to be the same issue with the Fire Phone – Amazon restricts it but its just a matter of setting some options in Settings to open it up. Would be interesting to hear from others if they have App Inventor apps running on this tablet or phone. Seems like they should work!
Another excellent tablet option is the ASUS Google Nexus 7 Android Tablet (16gb)
Continue reading Inexpensive Android tablet and smart phone available