Hey DEVs,
I've been a power user for almost a year now. I really really dig Android and I feel its about time that I should start developing for this awesome platform too.
I've previously worked in Java and MySQL but I'm completely new to Android Development. Noob is another word to sum it all up. I've tried few video tutorials by setting up SDK and Eclipse. So far that has worked pretty fine for me. I'm now planning to work on a GIS app that could at least incorporate local POIs of where I live.
Its just that I don't really know where to start things from. I've already spent few days looking for appropriate stuff but whatever I came across, was more like scattered pieces of a Jigsaw puzzle. Google Map APIs is another thing that I need alot to learn about ! so Kindly guide me through and give me something to start with ....... I'l be very very grateful !!
regards,
an aspiring dev !
I wrote a custom GIS android app in flash builder 4.5.1, the code base is flex and actionscript using ESRI's arcserver flex api and uses adobe air for native integration on a mobile device. The web service is a local service I am serving up through the town I work for, it is using ArcServer to serve the data. You can check out the app in the android market its called Vernon GIS Fire. ESRI also has an app in the market, it allows you to search their resource center for different web services, you could upload your own data in the resource center and serve it up using their resoucres
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums
Moving to Q&A
I want to develop a new sms application for Android that suits my needs without all the extra stuff I don't need..
But where do I start, and is it difficult to get it done?
Questions should be asked in Q&A forums, not Development forums.
Thread moved.
svortevik said:
I want to develop a new sms application for Android that suits my needs without all the extra stuff I don't need..
But where do I start, and is it difficult to get it done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a concept it shouldn't be ultra hard to develop, but it all depends how complex you want this sms application to be. As far as how hard it would be to develop such a application depends on your programming expertise. If you have never programmed anything before it's still manageable but it would take a lot of time and effort. Still take a look at some of these links that can hopefully get you started.
Basic Java Programming Tutorials
Android Development Tutorials
Building Your First App
Good luck
Tasker (when run on GB or later) now comes with App factory, which allows you to conver tasker projects to Apps (no copyright problems... tasker allows you to do whatever you want with those created Apps, just mention tasker in your credits).
Seems like one of the easier options to me for developing simple applications for someone starting completely from scratch.
(I'm not a developer, take it fwiw).
Hi all
This is my thread for an ongoing project im working on called AndroidOAP
OAP is not Owesome Android Project, lol
This is Andriod Old Age Pensioner!
But WAIT!! This may have many applications to other areas in the caring community!
Background
My mum is 75 and has early stage altzimers. I have noticed a lapes of memory, eyesight and hearing. I have also just got her a 10" rk3066 4.1 tab for xmas.
The aim of this is to help her keep in touch with family and friends (social networking), keep up to date on the weather/news (she loves it), keep her mind active (games).
Aim of Project
This project has a few aims, guided by anyone who wants to contribute. some of which are :
BASIC
- Creating a simple UI that is easy for pensioners/handicapped people to use
- Identifying simple to use apps that perform complex tasks
- Utilise the accessibility capabilities of android specifically for the users needs
- Monitor the device remotely
- Monitor the users interactions and provide alerts (IE medication, doctors apointments, etc)
EXTRA
- Create a working rom that can be installed on devices that can be given to the target audience (OAPs, disables, etc)
- Obtain ongoing support for this project
This will probably not interest most of you but anyone willing to contribute to this nobell cause will be very appreciated
Please get in touch with any ideas
Thanks for your time
Chriz
Cass1977 said:
Hi all
This is my thread for an ongoing project im working on called AndroidOAP
OAP is not Owesome Android Project, lol
This is Andriod Old Age Pensioner!
But WAIT!! This may have many applications to other areas in the caring community!
Background
My mum is 75 and has early stage altzimers. I have noticed a lapes of memory, eyesight and hearing. I have also just got her a 10" rk3066 4.1 tab for xmas.
The aim of this is to help her keep in touch with family and friends (social networking), keep up to date on the weather/news (she loves it), keep her mind active (games).
Aim of Project
This project has a few aims, guided by anyone who wants to contribute. some of which are :
BASIC
- Creating a simple UI that is easy for pensioners/handicapped people to use
- Identifying simple to use apps that perform complex tasks
- Utilise the accessibility capabilities of android specifically for the users needs
- Monitor the device remotely
- Monitor the users interactions and provide alerts (IE medication, doctors apointments, etc)
EXTRA
- Create a working rom that can be installed on devices that can be given to the target audience (OAPs, disables, etc)
- Obtain ongoing support for this project
This will probably not interest most of you but anyone willing to contribute to this nobell cause will be very appreciated
Please get in touch with any ideas
Thanks for your time
Chriz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I read this correctly, you want to develop an OS based on Android, but one that is extremely simple to use? All I know is that this would be an extremely time consuming project, probably half a year at the least, because you'd have to remove tons of drawables (images and stuff that is rendered) and code, and add in many more. It would be much easier to just install a launcher with big icons, change the system font size to the largest possible, perhaps use some accessibility settings, and debloat the tablet to the max.
Has your mother ever used electronic gadgets before? I forget the saying, but it's something like you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Considering that these types of electronics didn't exist during older peoples' generations, it'll be significantly harder to get them accustomed to such things. I don't know if I'm stereotyping or not, but it may be increasingly difficult to teach her how to use Android because she has Alzheimers. I'm not saying it's not worth a try though. As long as she doesn't feel overwhelmed or frustrated, I'd say to definitely try it out for a while and see how it goes. Happy holidays and have a happy new year. I hope your gift does good for you all.
Codename13 said:
If I read this correctly, you want to develop an OS based on Android, but one that is extremely simple to use? All I know is that this would be an extremely time consuming project, probably half a year at the least, because you'd have to remove tons of drawables (images and stuff that is rendered) and code, and add in many more. It would be much easier to just install a launcher with big icons, change the system font size to the largest possible, perhaps use some accessibility settings, and debloat the tablet to the max.
Has your mother ever used electronic gadgets before? I forget the saying, but it's something like you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Considering that these types of electronics didn't exist during older peoples' generations, it'll be significantly harder to get them accustomed to such things. I don't know if I'm stereotyping or not, but it may be increasingly difficult to teach her how to use Android because she has Alzheimers. I'm not saying it's not worth a try though. As long as she doesn't feel overwhelmed or frustrated, I'd say to definitely try it out for a while and see how it goes. Happy holidays and have a happy new year. I hope your gift does good for you all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input dude, but, I think your over complicating things. A custom rom doesnt mean rebuilding it from the ground up! The aim is to find the most user friendly apps and the best settings and then create a rom around that. no need for new icons, etc.
Just to let you know, even though my mum is 75 she has been a nurse all her life so is well versed on using computers (hell, she brought me up and im a developer, lol). Touching icons on a screen will be no problem for her, altzimers or not. To be fair, you are stereotyping and its pretty sad
Regardless of the support I will continue with this as its a personal project that I will persue. I was just after any help I could get, not negativity.
Have a nice day
Cass1977 said:
Hi all
This is my thread for an ongoing project im working on called AndroidOAP
OAP is not Owesome Android Project, lol
This is Andriod Old Age Pensioner!
But WAIT!! This may have many applications to other areas in the caring community!
Background
My mum is 75 and has early stage altzimers. I have noticed a lapes of memory, eyesight and hearing. I have also just got her a 10" rk3066 4.1 tab for xmas.
The aim of this is to help her keep in touch with family and friends (social networking), keep up to date on the weather/news (she loves it), keep her mind active (games).
Aim of Project
This project has a few aims, guided by anyone who wants to contribute. some of which are :
BASIC
- Creating a simple UI that is easy for pensioners/handicapped people to use
- Identifying simple to use apps that perform complex tasks
- Utilise the accessibility capabilities of android specifically for the users needs
- Monitor the device remotely
- Monitor the users interactions and provide alerts (IE medication, doctors apointments, etc)
EXTRA
- Create a working rom that can be installed on devices that can be given to the target audience (OAPs, disables, etc)
- Obtain ongoing support for this project
This will probably not interest most of you but anyone willing to contribute to this nobell cause will be very appreciated
Please get in touch with any ideas
Thanks for your time
Chriz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi @Cass1977, I see your project as a great initiative to encourage older people to use technology. Although this project might be huge (and I don't have the tablet to test), I might be able to just provide suggestions for your project.
In the Basic section:
Simple UI: It should be easy, due to the fact that many launchers today are user-friendly and easy to use.
Simple to use apps that perform complex stuff: do give some examples.
accessibility capabilities: I don't know of much apps for that (there could be some in the play store) but once we attract the attention of some developers, we can start rolling.
Monitor the device remotely: what do u mean exactly?
Isn't monitor the user's interaction same as the point above? Correct me if I'm wrong.
More suggestions:
Create some tutorials for some complicated apps.
Better colour profile.
Less bright screen=less strain to the eye in low light conditions.
Bigger font=less strain to the eye.
More suggestions will come as I think of them.
Smack that thanks button if I helped!
Note 2 LTE powered by Illusion ROM and Plasma Kernel.
Sent from dat small country called Singapore.
P.S. replies with quotes will be replied to faster.
Hi @Cass1977, I see your project as a great initiative to encourage older people to use technology. Although this project might be huge (and I don't have the tablet to test), I might be able to just provide suggestions for your project.
In the Basic section:
Simple UI: It should be easy, due to the fact that many launchers today are user-friendly and easy to use.
Simple to use apps that perform complex stuff: do give some examples.
accessibility capabilities: I don't know of much apps for that (there could be some in the play store) but once we attract the attention of some developers, we can start rolling.
Monitor the device remotely: what do u mean exactly?
Isn't monitor the user's interaction same as the point above? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice, but I feel too many launchers have too many options. the main thing the user needs is simple to access apps. Maybe large icons, etc.My mum likes her news and weather too so simple widgets may help with things like that (A lot are provided with the apps).
TTS will be required too (Text to speech). Maybe an app that will speak highlighted words? Probably have to be built?
More suggestions:
Create some tutorials for some complicated apps.
Better colour profile.
Less bright screen=less strain to the eye in low light conditions.
Bigger font=less strain to the eye.
More suggestions will come as I think of them.
Smack that thanks button if I helped!
Note 2 LTE powered by Illusion ROM and Plasma Kernel.
Sent from dat small country called Singapore.
P.S. replies with quotes will be replied to faster.
By the way, By 'Monitor the device remotly' I mean basically the same thing I have with my kids tabs. Screen Time (MASSIVE RESPECT TO THIS APP!!!) It monitors what my kids do on their tab and allows me to lock it at certain times and give them chores to earn rewards. NOT the same thing we need here, but, thats the kind of monitoring im thinking. Monitoring medication (pop up reminder and if its not used a remote notification)
Any more ideas you have then let me know, Many thanks for your input
Chris
Cass1977 said:
Good advice, but I feel too many launchers have too many options. the main thing the user needs is simple to access apps. Maybe large icons, etc.My mum likes her news and weather too so simple widgets may help with things like that (A lot are provided with the apps).
TTS will be required too (Text to speech). Maybe an app that will speak highlighted words? Probably have to be built?
By the way, By 'Monitor the device remotly' I mean basically the same thing I have with my kids tabs. Screen Time (MASSIVE RESPECT TO THIS APP!!!) It monitors what my kids do on their tab and allows me to lock it at certain times and give them chores to earn rewards. NOT the same thing we need here, but, thats the kind of monitoring im thinking. Monitoring medication (pop up reminder and if its not used a remote notification)
Any more ideas you have then let me know, Many thanks for your input
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can help test launchers according to what u want and report back. Widgets are easy. (Most news apps has widgets.) There may be some apps for TTS designed for this but it's rare (if not none). (TTS apps are extremely complicated) yea, we might need to build it. (Build from Google voice search, possibility)
OK... I'll have to search it up on Google. (We may have to build from another app...) we can build from Screen Time (add some features into it, we could ask Screen Time's developer for help!)
P.S. I think editing a system file can increase the maximum volume of the sound...
Smack that thanks button if I helped!
Note 2 LTE powered by Illusion ROM and Plasma Kernel.
Sent from dat small country called Singapore.
P.S. replies with quotes will be replied to faster.
Actually I wish I could be able to use my App Inventor programming skills to develop a fully or partially functional launcher apps. But there's no functionality present over that platform. I Googled every bit of information available over the Internet but alas i didn't find anything useful and additionally I didn't want my hands to get dirty on programming complex codes to create such app. So I arrived to this forum and finally decided to ask advanced members of XDA-DEVELOPERS forum to find solutions for my query.
Okay, now I realised after much experimenting with AI2 that so isn't possible at all!
Lol, just mess it up and use other tools.
For those who want to create their own theme can visit redraw.io by T-me/Timmy Studios.
Thread closed.
Hi everyone. I want to share some resources that may helpful for anyone who still don't know where to start.
If you don't have any background, consider learning programming using Scratch or Alice. It seems just suitable for kids but actually for everyone who want to think logically.
If you have some basic background and want to have solid Java background (which I recommend) before moving to Android development, you should start with "Head First Java". They also have "Head First Android", but personally I don't like it so much.
After you have a solid Java background, you can start learning Android using this free course on Udacity. It has 5 parts that cover everything that you need to make literally any app on Play Store.
After you completed the above course, let's make your own project. You don't have to learn other courses or textbooks in order to make an app. You should try to make your own app using what you have learned with the above course. When you making your project, you will encounter real-life problems. By solving it (using Google, StackOverflow, XDA, other tech forums, ...), you will learn more than any course or textbook can help you.
I hope you will find this post helpful for you. If anyone has a question, please leave your question below
Hi, new user here. Thanks for the read
Hi,
I just signed up on this forum and came across this thread and so decided to post a question. First, i have been a full-stack developer and now working on Cloud, AI/ML but android mobile app development is new to me and i am pursuing a self-paced training. My intention is to start off by learning the basics of android and the ide, the various elements and work my way up to the advanced level. Then start learning and work on flutter. I have a fair bit of experience on Java as i have developed java enterprise and web application (JSP, applet based) in the past.
Right now, i am looking at the Android Basics to Advanced nanodegree program offered by Google on the android site, udemy, udacity, etc and lots others on the internet. just wanted your opinion which course would be a good place to start.
Thanks.