Hi, I have been writing pc based software in .net for a few years now and want to make the jump to android. I worked with java at uni and the syntax is almost identical to c# so language and concepts are fine.
I have had a loose idea for a game and was hoping some more experienced developers could help me iron out some points I'm struggling with. It's a resource builder game (farm ville / tiny tower / crime city type of thing) where you collect resources and use them to boost the amount you collect and progress through game. Biggest quandary I have at the moment is "should it be single player offline or server hosted multilayer?".
I like the idea of doing it online and having the usual features that allows like push notifications of game events, visiting friends, minimal footprint on device as all data is stored on server. I don't like the idea that you then require an Internet connection to play, it always frustrates me when I can't use an app because it can't get online to authenticate or access data.
Sorry for wall of text :-\ short version is: in today's market, should I be looking at making the game offline, or online with the usual social trimmings?
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50 reads, not 1 suggestion? Not even a "that's a terrible idea"...
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Well, why not make it both? Make it so that you play in SP and when you decide, you can take your SP world into MP, and join the other players. How does that sound?
I like the idea and I think you should go for it. The other thing to keep in mind is that with multiplayer comes server costs for hosting files, and other networking related aspects, plus making sure things run smoothly for players and expanding your server infrastructure to match the demand people put on it.
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Related
Im still pretty new to the smartphone world. But after looking at various apps I noticed the app declares a list of permissions it will need to certain files on the phone. Im just concerned that any one of these apps are gathering sensitive information like our contacts or notes on our phones. How do we know exactly what is being accessed and sent out. I just realized an app like mixzing sends the developers information about the songs we listen to, our playlists, etc.. Now Im not too concerned about this in particular, but how do we know what other information they or any other developer are grabbing from our phones? On a PC you atleast have a firewall, router, security sofware, etc..
Its interesting that someone finally asked this question. I asked this very thing since i.had my G1.
I am in infomation security and as a security researcher, ive used a rooted device and the shark app which is like wireshark for packet captures from your phone. You could always stick your vibrant on your wireless network and watch the packets there as well.
Take a peek at this screengrab from an alt keyboard install from the sticky page. I would not trust any app at all
On a side note, if you saw the forensics app for these phones...wow
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there have been apps said to collect sensitive data that it doesnt need to function... In russia there was also a tip calculator that sent sms messages to various numbers without your knowledge... at the moment there is no virus, or worm, or trojan for android atleast not on this side of the world...
Just be careful what you download, always read the apps permissions..
Or download a app that scans applications, I personally use Lookout. Not because im paranoid about viruses but there are other features implemented such as losnig your phone and includes tracking.
It's on the market, "Lookout."
Lookout is a great tool to have. I use it on all my phones, out scan every app as you install, if its bad, it'll tell you
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paradox4286 said:
Lookout is a great tool to have. I use it on all my phones, out scan every app as you install, if its bad, it'll tell you
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Click to expand...
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SO how man y, if any, bad apps have you encountered? I havnt bought into the whole AV for mobile phones yet. I understand the potential risk, but the real world risk seems minimal to nearly nonexistant at this moment. Now I will probably be one of the first ones to go palm to face when the first virus makes its way around and I get it, but for now i'll stick with the ignorance is bliss unless this lookout app is actually kicking back potential risks.
Chief Geek said:
SO how man y, if any, bad apps have you encountered? I havnt bought into the whole AV for mobile phones yet. I understand the potential risk, but the real world risk seems minimal to nearly nonexistant at this moment. Now I will probably be one of the first ones to go palm to face when the first virus makes its way around and I get it, but for now i'll stick with the ignorance is bliss unless this lookout app is actually kicking back potential risks.
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It's 0.. I use it mainly incase I lose my phone. That's the thing about Lookout, it isn't intrusive at all. It runs weekly scans (disabled if you want), and scans when you install a new application.
It has a lot of other functionality other than scanning for malicious applications.
So App Inventor was ESSENTIALLY a toy, but very easy to understand and use if you were not too demanding with your app.
MY question is with the advent of App Inventor going away, what tool set are people using to build actual high grade apps these days? While I have a long background supporting JAVA application servers, I am NOT a world class C++ or JAVA developer. I am what you would probably consider a hack-developer.
I would LOVE to get involved with any tool set that allows me to build applications QUICKLY, and use my own phone as a test device (I am NO fan of emulators). Is there a GUI based development tool that does not require an advanced degree from MIT to understand how it works? I have worked for years with .NET products (MS Studio etc..) I have also worked with products like ECLIPSE, but the latter it is usually very dependent on knowing a ton of JAVA or C++ to actually 'do anything'...
My real goal for my first real project has to do with accessing GPS and outputting SMS formatted information.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions! While I know A/I was a toy, I have great hopes that the open source world and the folks at MIT labs will take it and move it to the next level. Guess I will have to wait and see on that one..
Sorry delete please.
MakAttak said:
MY question is with the advent of App Inventor going away, what tool set are people using to build actual high grade apps these days?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
while app inventor was an outstanding tool, I would hardly say that it allowed people to build high grade apps.
Hi,
Tomorrow my girlfriend leaves for China for a week, and she'll be missing the usual things, facebook, youtube and such. Is there a way I can set up a VPN server on my PC so she can get connected to my machine (in Hong Kong) and get proper uncensored traffic from China? Which app should she use to connect? She has a Galaxy Note.
I tried this before (with windows 7 default server), with not much success. I can try either Windows or Kubuntu for the server, whichever is easier to work with.
Could you guys give me a hand on this?
Thanks a lot!
Simply download UltraSurf aka UltraReach aka 无界 over at www .ultrareach. com/ for desktop use, this app is the best free one click way to breach the censorship. I use this app on daily basis here in China. On handset wise if your girl friend uses android devices, just browse the market and download "Verizon Opera", a browser based on Opera Mini 5 that Opera made for Verizon customers since it sends data directly to Verizon wireless servers which bypasses the government firewall. Its features are a little bit outdated, no in browser download support or flash or offline browsing, yet still itis the most simple solution on the go to visit blocked sites such as twitter, fb, cnn, bbc, deutschland world (dw.de), IRF, etc.
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Ok, I'll definitely try that version of Opera, thank you for the information!
Regarding Ultrasurf, what's the difference with the (allegedly) newer UltraVPN? Both of these are desktop clients, but I believe she'll be taking only the phone this time. I thank you for the tip, as those seem to be free (first time I find a free VPN server, I'm a bit suspicious as why is that one free), but I'd like to find an equivalent for Android, if possible
Sibling products? To be very honest I'm not quite sure about the ultraVPN. The reason that ultrasurf is free of charge is word on the street says this app is sponsored by anti censorship groups and funds based in the US, with a sole purpose - to help netizen in mainland China breach the system. In other words it's not developed by any ordinary commercial firm.
Yes there are other solutions aside of ultrasurf, like Tor for Firefox, Google's own goagent (which has certain traffic limit for free users 1GB per day.), but non of which offers similar easy to use features as ultrasurf does.
The reason why most mainstream US vnp services are down in China is that those vnp providers have been blocked by Chinese government's GFW way beforehand.
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Good to know. Thank you very much indeed!
For the phone thouhg, there's no other free alternative, right?
Thank you!
The goagent I mentioned before is a universal proxy solution on both desktop and handheld platforms. Follow a step by step tutorial which can be found by Googling, set up a free account for goagent on desktop. Then download GAEProxy from market to your android device, choose goagent type of proxy, configure it with the account you set before and you are hooked up. In this way all apps like native twitter, Facebook, linked in, browsers, YouTube client are with the mighty force of Google's proxy. But for instant and light web use, I still recommended Verizon Opera.
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Hello,
According to the Android Design Principles
Never lose my stuff
Save what people took time to create and let them access it from anywhere. Remember settings, personal touches, and creations across phones, tablets, and computers. It makes upgrading the easiest thing in the world.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which I think is great. The app I'm designing involves storing photos and data about them. Is there a good way to back this up? I could sync with a webservice I could write/host, but then I'm opening myself up to potentially large bandwidth/storage charges.
I considered using drop box or something, but that would require my non tech savvy users to sign up. Is there any easy way to integrate the google cloud service (as my users will of course have a google account)? What do people normally do when they want to meet this design principle?
Many thanks
Russ_T said:
Hello,
According to the Android Design Principles
which I think is great. The app I'm designing involves storing photos and data about them. Is there a good way to back this up? I could sync with a webservice I could write/host, but then I'm opening myself up to potentially large bandwidth/storage charges.
I considered using drop box or something, but that would require my non tech savvy users to sign up. Is there any easy way to integrate the google cloud service (as my users will of course have a google account)? What do people normally do when they want to meet this design principle?
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe there is an api for backing up user data to Google drive and since users will have a Google account they automatically have Google drive (Your app will have to request permissions to access users Google account I believe). This would be the easiest way to implement things as the drive api is a native part of Android, and you don't have to worry about bandwidth and hosting storage. In the past people have hosted there own storage for users to used and then usually tie this to an account users have to create. Overall, like I said I'd look into using the Google drive api.
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shimp208 said:
I believe there is an api for backing up user data to Google drive and since users will have a Google account they automatically have Google drive (Your app will have to request permissions to access users Google account I believe). This would be the easiest way to implement things as the drive api is a native part of Android, and you don't have to worry about bandwidth and hosting storage. In the past people have hosted there own storage for users to used and then usually tie this to an account users have to create. Overall, like I said I'd look into using the Google drive api.
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Click to collapse
Thanks very much. A bit of an oversight on my part so I'll have a look through the API and see what it offers.
I do intend to charge a subscription for my app/service ultimately, but I think I need to make storage space the users problem to save myself sleepless nights.
I'll investigate and post back here what I find. If anyone can give me a link to an article on this I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
Russ_T said:
Thanks very much. A bit of an oversight on my part so I'll have a look through the API and see what it offers.
I do intend to charge a subscription for my app/service ultimately, but I think I need to make storage space the users problem to save myself sleepless nights.
I'll investigate and post back here what I find. If anyone can give me a link to an article on this I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the official Google documentation on using the Google Drive Api:
https://developers.google.com/drive/
Check out this article on network storage and android:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/data/data-storage.html#netw
As well as this article on using the backup api and cloud sync:
http://developer.android.com/training/cloudsync/index.html
Also since you talked about eventually charging a subscription fee here is the official android developer documentation on that as well:
http://developer.android.com/guide/google/play/billing/billing_subscriptions.html
Wonderful, thank you very much indeed! I will give those a good read over when I get chance and let you know how I get on. It seems this could definitely be the answer, saving me money concerns and allowing my app to be multi user and backed up.
What I need to do is get my head around how I will use the cloud storage to allow my app to be multi user. Potentially I can make my database file based, and sync between two devices that way. My only trouble is when both devices are editing the same file / working on the same thing. I want the app to work offline, as I don't want connection issues to affect its usage.
Hmmm, I'll give it some thought.
Thanks again!
Here are links to several free online courses designed to help you learn mobile development. Reply here if you know of any good ones that I missed. If you have comments or experiences to share about any of these, please start a new thread to discuss.
“Computer Science 164: Mobile Software Engineering” is a Harvard University course using Javascript, HTML5, Objective-C, and PHP, and to teach you how to build mobile web apps (along with some native iOS development). The online course includes all video lectures, study sessions, slides, source code, etc. This is the follow-up to another Harvard class available online: “CS 50 – Introduction to Computer Science”.
“Computer Science E-76: Building Mobile Applications”, a Harvard University Extension course, covers Android and iOS, including writing native apps for Android using Eclipse and the Android SDK. Lecture 2 is a Java primer and lectures 3 – 6 cover aspects of Android development.
Google’s Android development training course includes ten modules covering everything from graphics and animation to security and monetization.
“Introduction to Programming in Java” is an MIT OpenCourseware class offering lecture notes and downloads of java programming assignments. You can see a full list of free MIT online comp sci courses here.
“Android Application Development” was taught at CalPoly in Summer 2010. Not as complete as some of the Harvard courses, the site offers basic instruction on building basic apps.
Neither Udacity or Coursera has a mobile-specific course yet, but both include amazing classes on web application development.
Codeacademy offers several courses on web and application (non-mobile) development. Topics include PHP, jQuery, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby.
"The Java Tutorials" on Oracle's site are about general Java development and are not Android-specific.
XDA’s “How to Build an Android App” series by Adam Outler.
Treehouse Library beginner courses teach you how to build simple apps.
For Android App development, I would strongly advise:
The New Boston - Android Tutorials
For Java basics:
The New Boston - Java Tutorials
The tutorials are done by Bucky and Travis and these guys are very good. They take you through the learning step by step.
Also. When you come across problems, the main Android Developers site is very good, but I've also found Stack Overflow very helpful.
I started using the tutorials with no Android or Java knowledge at all and I've used what I have learned to make a couple of basic soundboards so far and other bits and pieces, but what they teach you gives you the potential for a lot more.
You can see the apps I've made Here (Google Play) and Here.
This one's good for both C and C++
http://www.cprogramming.com/
And this one for C, pretty well explained and my favourite
http://www.howstuffworks.com/c.htm
How can I watch those Harvard lectures, they seems to be locked, are they free
Found this putzing around the internet at work. Very engaging lectures, never talks in monotone, and explains things in a simple to understand format.
From Stanford, almost all the material is provided (lectures, handouts, assignments, exams, etc), and all the videos are downloadable through iTunes or YouTube.
Not android specific, but gives a solid groundwork on the Java platform.
Best of all... FREE
http://see.stanford.edu/see/courseinfo.aspx?coll=824a47e1-135f-4508-a5aa-866adcae1111
I'm currently following Google’s Android development training course and came here looking for an ebook of these pages. I want to read these on my phone while I travel.
Does anyone know of such an ebook on Google books or any other 3rd party website?
Also, a tool that can convert these webpages into a static ebook will also do. I just need them to be available for offline reading.
Thank You
Guys try Barbara hecker on YouTube .excellent latest university level courses on android. Total 15 hours I guess.
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Kaiyes said:
Guys try Barbara hecker on YouTube .excellent latest university level courses on android. Total 15 hours I guess.
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Click to collapse
+1 for Barbara Hecker's ITU lecture series all posted on YouTube. Its about 25 1hr lectures in Android Development all posted within the last few months so very current. Easily the best Android learning tool I've found so far on the web.
The new boston video series is good but way too out of date (2009). Android has come a long way in 3 years.
Ya that's the most recent I could find. The proprietary screen casts like Lynda.com, tutsplus, video2brain and others are also worth looking into. I certainly learned a lot from them. Also, its worth looking into phonegap. It let's us use javascript-css-html to create apps for all platform like iOS, android, blackberry and so on.
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please share links for
Minimum skills / sources required before writing android apps
Understanding android operating system
how to code some easiest android applications to boost confidence amongst new persons.
Thanks
Use jquery mobile and phonegap. You can make apps within 1 hour or even less. Just get some video tutorial from youtube or lynda.com or someplace similiar. There are a ton of them. Youtube jquery mobile , phonegap.
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Kaiyes said:
Use jquery mobile and phonegap. You can make apps within 1 hour or even less. Just get some video tutorial from youtube or lynda.com or someplace similiar. There are a ton of them. Youtube jquery mobile , phonegap.
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is it important to understand how operating system works ?
Kaiyes said:
Use jquery mobile and phonegap. You can make apps within 1 hour or even less. Just get some video tutorial from youtube or lynda.com or someplace similiar. There are a ton of them. Youtube jquery mobile , phonegap.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that fine for basic apps but if you want to add any complexity you really need to know android programming (java/eclipse etc). i dont think sending people down this easy path is going to help them become android developers.
Coursera does now have a course for Android Programming. It uses the Processing 'language' and teaches fundamentals such as the accelorometer, basics of a physics engine ( BoxWrap2d) and image and sound manipulation. I have almost finished this run of the course, and its a good starter for people who are interested in learning how to develop for Android.
The downside to the course though, if you don't have any knowledge of programming at all, I think you might struggle a little bit. (Just my opinion.)
Search for 'Creative Programming for Digital Media & Mobile Apps'
Like i said, its good for simple informative type apps for most of the major platforms at once. But its not for complicated apps like games/kernel. However i do think there is a big untapped market for sector specific informative type apps. Take medical sector, most of the apps doctors need gotta help them remember & docs will buy em. I saw simple jquery mobile type apps selling for £15. Also, if you are good at JavaScript, then you can basically carry your "app" over to all platforms. That's the catchy bit I guess. Its also easier for web devs to hack at mobile software market without having to learn a whole new language. Having said all that, Java is still one of the top languages there.
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great android app developement youtube tutorial series
This guy is awesome!
His rapid for style allows us to learn more in a shorter amount of time, without dieing of boredom.
The tutorials were designed to familiarize us with the basics in the beginning, then to help us gain and retain a better understanding of how to develope apps.
You may feel overwhelmed by all of the information being shot of at you at such a rapid fire rate, but rest assured that as you progress through the series, things will make more and more sense to you.
I highly recommend that anybody that is new to developing Android apps, or that anyone who wants a refresher course, that doesn't feel like being bored out of their mind by long, drawn out, agonizing courses, check this out.!
Here's the link to the entire Android app developement tutorials.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boj0f_O3i88&list=PLGLfVvz_LVvQUjiCc8lUT9aO0GsWA4uNe
Enjoy!
The New Boston.
On youtube Runs a Channel.
Provides 200 tutorials in android app development and also Other Valueable Sequel Tutorials. ...
----------Signature---------
Need Some Cool Guides Visit Hmpshah Guides
These Android tutorials by Vogella are also good.
http://www.vogella.com/android.html
As far as I get it, if you know Java well enough that you rate yourself > 6 out of 10 as a Java programmer, Android app development should be easy for you.
The ice is broken. On Coursera on 21-th January starts "Programming Mobile Applications for Android Handheld Systems".
Game Development Days
If you like game programming, I have started a guide a while ago:
Game Development Days
The guide walks you through the development of a 2D game engine, and covers side information around it.
Thought it could be useful here