Google is about to launch a new app-creation tool for non-developers, in the shape of Google App Inventor for Android. It’s already been tested on groups of ordinary, non-tech users, with Google saying they all found it easy to use. As you might expect.
The New York Times claims the app making system has been in development for a year, and has already been – very secretly – tested by many users. We’re expecting more official launch news from Google today. Here’s what it looks like:
Looks rather like the existing third-party app development tools, with the NYT report saying it’ll let users “drag and drop blocks of code” and put their own custom apps together like “Lego blocks”. But it’s no simple RSS spam generator – Google says you’ll even be able to access the GPS tools, if you want to “go deeper”.
Read more over on the App Inventor Labs page.
UPDATE:
The official announcement has arrived, over on the Google Blog.
App Inventor for Android
7/12/2010 06:59:00 AM
App Inventor is a new tool in Google Labs that makes it easy for anyone—programmers and non-programmers, professionals and students—to create mobile applications for Android-powered devices. And today, we’re extending invitations to the general public.
For many people, their mobile phone—and access to the Internet—is always within reach. App Inventor for Android gives everyone, regardless of programming experience, the opportunity to control and reshape their communication experience. We’ve observed people take pride in becoming creators of mobile technology and not just consumers of it.
For the past year, we’ve been testing App Inventor in classrooms around the United States, and we’ve found that it opens up the world of computer programming to students in new and powerful ways. David Wolber, professor of computer science at the University of San Francisco and part of the initial pilot program, says “students traditionally intimidated by technology are motivated and excited to program with App Inventor.” One student from Professor Wolber’s class told us: “I used to think that no one could program except CS people. Now, I’ve made dozens of applications for the Android phone!” Another student, who struggles with dyslexia, was inspired by App Inventor to take more computer science classes and is now learning Python. Check out this video to hear more about App Inventor for Android at University of San Francisco.Visit our site to learn more about App Inventor and see sample apps. To request an invitation, fill out this form and you’ll soon be on your way to building mobile applications. And check out the video below to see how it works. We can’t wait to see what you create!
It’s smooth to use, the 1080p display is sharp, clear and bright, the device is extremely light and thin and therefore very pocketable and portable — much more so than other 5-inch phones we’ve used. And yet… we’re a bit unimpressed by the overall package…
A relatively high-spec smartphone, with a 4.5″ display running at 480 x 854 resolution and powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, plus the Ascend G510 arrives running Android 4.1.1 — albeit potentially hindered by Huawei only sticking 512MB of RAM inside it..
The Panasonic Eluga marks the company’s return to the European mobile phone scene years after several years of absence, and it’s come back to us with a moderately high-spec Android model that features a rather stylish, slim case.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
MrChaz
/ July 12, 2010If it makes UI layout less of a massive pain I’m all for it.
Matt S
/ July 12, 2010Its not a bad idea as long as Google updates the Android market with a better search function with the ability to filter out spam apps like quizes and soundboards etc. This is something I might find useful to build my own apps for personal use
Bob
/ July 12, 2010if this is targeted towards non-techies, I dont see how that is bad. Maybe it is visual basic of the android world.
Gary C
/ July 12, 2010Oh yes, I’m well excited. I can imagine at least three people downloading the EuroDroid app I’ll be spending 1000 hours on making.
Matt S
/ July 12, 2010EuroDroid doesnt need an app it just needs the WPTouch2 theme installed.
MarkG
/ July 12, 2010I can make you a Eurodroid app in about 30mins, using existing tools.
As for numbers you would be surprised, I have over 2,500 downloads of my apps.
Gary C
/ July 12, 2010I’m not sure there’s a need for a EuroDroid app. No one’s asked for one yet. And what would it even do?