Introduction: How To: Android App Inventor

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App Inventor from Google is a very useful tool when it comes to prototyping applications for an Android device, in this Instructable we look at Installing the components needed to create them.

Step 1: Step 1: Equipment

You will need:

A computer with internet.

System requirements:

Computer and operating system


Macintosh (with Intel processor): Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6
Windows: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
GNU/Linux: Ubuntu 8+, Debian 5+

Browser

Mozilla Firefox 3.6 or higher
Apple Safari 5.0 or higher
Google Chrome 4.0 or higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher

Step 2: Step 2: Test Your Java Configuration

Your computer needs to run Java 6 (also known as Java 1.6). You can download Java from www.java.com.

Test your Java configuration by performing both of the following tests:

1. Visit the Java test page. You should see a message that Java is working and that the version is Java 1.6.

2. Run the AppInventor Java test by clicking on this link. This will check that your browser is properly configured to run Java, and that your computer can launch applications with Java Web Start.


App Inventor will not work on your computer if these tests do not succeed. Don't go on to try to use App Inventor until you've dealt with the issue.

Step 3: Step 3: Install the App Inventor Setup Software

Before you can use App Inventor, you need to install some software on your computer. The software you need is provided in a package called App Inventor Setup. Follow the instructions for your operating system to do the installation.

Instructions for Mac OS X: Here
Instructions for GNU/Linux: Here
Instructions for Windows: Here

Step 4: Step 4: Android Device Setup

Set up your Android device:

In this section, we'll make sure your phone is ready for you to use with App Inventor. This involves checking a few settings and making sure they're set the right way, then connecting the phone to your computer with a USB cable. If you have a Windows machine, then you may also need to install a driver for the phone.

Compatible phones:

There are hundreds of different Android phone models, and new ones are appearing all the time. Even we don't know about all of them. Here are a few of the phones that are being used successfully with App Inventor:

Google: Nexus One, Nexus S
Motorola: Droid, Droid X, Droid Incredible
T-Mobile: G1
HTC: Incredible, Hero, Desire, …

Note, however, that some of these phones will require the installation of drivers to work with Windows computers.
Whichever model you have, your phone must have an SD card installed, or else it won't work with App Inventor.

Even if your Android phone isn't on this list, it's still likely to work with App Inventor, but we can't say for sure. Follow the instructions on this page, and if you have any problems, see the troubleshooting page, or search the App Inventor User Forum under "Getting set up and connecting your phone" for advice from others who may be using the same phone.

Check your settings:

To get your phone ready to work with App Inventor, follow these steps:

1.Tap the Home button to go to your phone's Home screen.
2.Tap the Menu button, then Settings, then Applications.
3.If your phone has an Unknown sources setting, make sure it is checked.
4.Tap Development.
5.Make sure both USB Debugging and Stay Awake are checked.

If your phone is on the lock screen, unlock it as you would to get ready to run an app. Now get your USB cable and connect the phone to the computer. Two status messages appear on the phone in the notifications area at the top of the screen:

- USB Connected means the phone is connected to the computer.
- USB Debugging Connected allows the App Inventor on the computer to control the phone.

Step 5: Step 5: You're Done!

Now its time to develop and create wonderful apps just remember to sign in with your Gmail account and you are ready to go.

Check out my other instructables for more things on android devices:

https://www.instructables.com/member/TheSmartLemon/