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[Q] Google Wave App

I just wanted to know if anyone has developed a solid app for Google wave. I use Google wave allot, but there aren't any good ones in the market place.
If someone can give me a good app for Google wave (with notifications, and updates, like the Facebook app) that would be awesome.
If no one made one yet, this is an opportunity, I need a good Google wave app so bad that I would be willing to pay for it, and I am probably not the only one.

DROID_INC said:
I just wanted to know if anyone has developed a solid app for Google wave. I use Google wave allot, but there aren't any good ones in the market place.
If someone can give me a good app for Google wave (with notifications, and updates, like the Facebook app) that would be awesome.
If no one made one yet, this is an opportunity, I need a good Google wave app so bad that I would be willing to pay for it, and I am probably not the only one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably are actually, google wave is very unpopular. I doubt you'll find one if i'm honest !
Good luck anyways!
edit: go to www.googlewave.com in your mobile browser, should be a mobile version? Not sure if that's any help though.

Wave Lives!
I think Wave is popular amongst certain developers (the kind that were let in early) but i'm not sure what it's future is now that Google has announced it's closure towards the end of the year.
On the one hand the whole wave-server is free to download and install on our own machines, but on the other hand, Google hasn't (and probably won't) release much of their native client. The "textual" client that was released was so basic as to not catch on for "syndication", or "federating" as it was called. I got as far as setting it all up on a VPS hosting, but wasn't up to the task of coding my own client, at least, not at the time. (thou i would've joined such a group if had found one, which i didn't)
I still see a future for Wave, or a derivative thereof, but the original Wave client would be hard to replicate if Google choose not to release it. Until we hear what Google intends to do with that "popular" client, it's really anyone's guess.
For myself, i was gearing up to code an Android client for Wave using Adobe Air once they (Adobe) have finalized the feature-set (it's still in pre-release for month or two). I would still like to do this, but getting it to the quality of the current Wave client would be large undertaking. Would prolly have to settle for something that looks and works a bit differently. (ie. more suiting Android screens for example)
As for a central server to run it on (since Google are pulling the plug) it would need to be either another central server, or at least partially shoe-horned to run on Google's App Engine, which i have also done some prep work for. (passing waves thru as a web interface, storing of waves in big-table, etc)
Along with character-by-character communication, and having compatibility with existing robots and gadgets (protocols, and everything) it's quite an involved project. Most likely a team effort, which is what Wave is actually designed for after all. ;O)
The only tricky part is getting paid to even attempt it. So even thou there's definitely some latent demand for Wave to continue, method of sponsorship is what really needs to be sorted out first. See my previous post (here on XDA) about "donation bidding" for example of what is really needed.

This is the one i meant... "Developer Bidding"

Ok, thanks guys.
I have used the mobile version but it just plainly sucks. Since I go to college, I do a lot of group projects and its easier through google wave because your group can comment attach, post, etc..., and your entire group can see and discuss. If google is pulling the plug, is there any alternative I can use for what I am doing?
Again thanks for the help.

A popular one before Wave came along was Etherpad (Etherpad.com) but as Wave was gearing up for public release Google bought the company, shut down Etherpad, and got the Etherpad team to help the Wave team improve Wave's usability.
Initially there was a public backlash, since the two services looked and worked quite differently, and many people preferred Etherpad's simplicity. Perhaps because of the growing backlash, Etherpad was then quickly released as open-source (see Etherpad.org) such that it can be downloaded and setup on your own server.
When Google announced Wave is closing, several sites promptly listed some alternatives.
http://www.techmaish.com/5-popular-google-wave-alternatives/
http://www.worldtech24.com/business/10-great-alternatives-google-wave/
Also worth noting that although Google are closing Wave, they are now planning to integrate some of the Wave's technology (whatever that means) into existing products. Think of; google mail, google buzz, google talk, and google voice, all becoming something "more collaborative" and generally more social.
Personally, i liked Wave the most (robots, gadgets, etc) so hoping to catch the timing between Air for Android releasing, and Wave closing, since my background is mainly Actionscript/Javascript, and have already coded a partial client.
Happy hunting thou!

Essay about Android

Taking a speech class and had a chance to write about the Android platform. Figured I'd share here. Enjoy and comment as you will.
I wish to start off by saying welcome to the future. A bold proclamation yes, but with such experiments and ongoing research by numerous scientists today, technological breakthroughs are vast and epic. One of the many platforms so to speak that is having phenomenal breakthroughs is in the mobile systems department. Here lays a couple companies with R&D plans that carter towards certain parties promising slick user interfaces, application channels, and a complete web experience. Couple that with feature rich phones that allow one to text, call, global positioning (GPS), and well, you have a product to sell. Google has done just that. Taking bits and pieces of everything one could ever ask for, and merging it all into its mobile operating system titled Android. Represented by a green round-headed robot figure, Android is passing its two year anniversary, and has surpassed other prominent mobile architectures like Apple’s iPhone software. But what exactly is Android? Why would one desire to chuck away their limited iPhone, or stray away from the Blackberry Enterprise lineup? One word: Open source. Couple that with the experience (the art of customizing your device), and the synchronization aspects of the device for virtually any account you have on the net, and you have a total package.
Having a total package within arm’s reach, and inside your pocket is quite a powerful tool. With Google’s Android platform, there is never a point where you can say No. Any and every idea can and could be coded into the device if you have the means to do so. Open source is the ticket. Asking yourself what this means is actually a very simple question. Open source is the definition of computer code that is freely available to anyone who wishes to find it. Google has opened up the software to all who have a spirit to create and provide applications (Apps) and programs to others. Hackers, coders, and all techy guros have created a plethora of net-libraries ranging from support groups, forums and websites to further help noobies in the process. Sounds like a lot, but in reality, the experience is quite easy going. Competitors like Apple and Blackberry have limited their system to developers by safekeeping some of its computer code. This limits creativity, as it puts restrictions and limitations as to what exactly what one can create. Add to the fact that companies like Apple also screen apps to a much higher caliber, halting smaller apps without much bang in the beginning to be choked to death. It seems as if anything is available for pleasure with Android though. If it doesn’t exist, pop into a forum and jot down a reply on a thread. If that’s not enough, I’m sure you have one friend that has already found solutions in the “Green-Guy”. There is always someone there who has the tools necessary to create it, or rather has already created it in the first place.
From forums and coders who have the know-how and tools to create a mind-blowing experience, the customization factor of Android is truly one of its largest selling points. To be quite honest, each and every android device could be considered a work of art. It’s all in how the user desires it for themselves…how deep the user wants to venture; how deep goes their rabbit? From changing backgrounds and wallpapers, to adding widgets to your home screen, the android spectrum allows one to make the phone their own, morph it into how they see fitting. But how is this different from other products? Surely other phones allow their users to alter what they see on screen. Yet I assert, the android experience is different. Almost, if not every aspect of android is customizable. Icons can be altered, the font can be changed, dates, times, anything can be tweaked. Sites like XDA, AndroidSpin, and AndroidandMe provide great reviews, heads up, and forums to browse through numerous applications, both beta and final. The options are endless, and it’s open in the air to anyone who desires a bit of change. Many new phones come preinstalled with newer software, as you might here Froyo, Éclair or Gingerbread tossed around. These are simply codenames for newer versions of software from Google. If your carrier doesn’t support the newer software, chances are a coder has already made it available for you. Convenience without a price attached!
Free in price is seemingly synonymous with freedom. Freedom to choose. Freedom to enjoy. Freedom to experience. Freedom from a stationary computer. Android is a thriving system that allows you to constantly stay on the up and up. Synchronization appears a mystery as your Facebook, Twitter, email, and numerous other accounts are integrated into the system via apps or at stock. With live widgets that monitor in real time your accounts, any and all social networks, social feeds, and business/personal accounts are updated instantly. No more carrying around a tiring laptop, or waiting to login the networks at any given campus. 3G speeds and now 4G on some carriers are making mobile devices the in crowd, as speeds are comparable to standard net speeds. As many people day are on the up and up, or rather, out and about, a mobile system that constantly allows access to ones desired feeds is grand. Couple that with ability to alter documents on the fly, listen to your favorite music (via Pandora, or from the Phones Internal Memory…think iPod), you have a complete package. It’s not just a Media Device, a Business Device, a Cell Phone, as it truly lives up to the name of Smart Phone.
For me the choice was easy. I thrive off customization, the ability to make my phone a tad different, even faster, or more efficient then what the original company did for me. But as Android ages, everything looks bright and promising. To proclaim dark clouds linger would be insanity. From its initial creation of being open-sourced, to customizing features and its ability to be versatile, Android has shattered the mobile systems realm. As it races to the top, Android allows users to update on the go, with synchronization from virtually every social feed. When people ask me about phones and what should be right for them, there is no question for me. It’s never been a question about what Android can’t do, but what Android does.

<- Laughing Out Loud.
It's full of grammar faux pas, by the way.

Still very well written *only read first paragraph* but I was impressed, not bad Also maybe a bit many commas...
BTW, shouldve been posted in the off topic section

Nice Speech. I Enjoyed reading it.
Sent from Conical. 07

Google TV

I don't know a whole lot about this about this product but people seem to be saying it's incomplete. Any thoughts?

Incomplete or not play with others?
I bought a 46" Sony Google TV the last weekend of October 2011. There is a small hard drive in the set that runs the device, via Android.
That part works well, and an update to the Android OS is expected soon.
Rest of the TV - picture, sound, etc - middle of the road.
The Google part of this is indeed incomplete - why?
There are few, if any apps at this time for users - remember Android apps largely require a touch-screen - these TV's are not touch screen.
Traditional and some non-traditional networks and websites have blocked their TV 'playable' rich media content from this and similar devices - the old model/old money/old school networks' business model is squarely targeted by this device - they are not going to cede their revenue (advertisements) easily.
Hulu is blocked as well.
All this said, I think the idea is superb, and I daresay ahead of it's time.
Google has somewhat ignored this product since launching it in 2010, they say there will be a renewed focus - we'll see.
If you expect to be able to watch network stuff on this via the browser, forget it - it's not likely to happen.
If you gotta have web-enabled TV, there are cheaper options and means to do that with other TV's on the market.
Plan to keep this until the last possible moment within Best Buy's 30-day return window to see whether Google updates the OS.
If not, back it goes for something else.
EDIT/Update 11/3 Received the update to honeycomb for the Google TV device.
VERY happy with the functions and Android system. You can sideload apps, stream content saved in Amazon cloud, shop the market, etc.
Reminiscent, to me, of my first Android phone almost 2. years ago, just after rooting it - there's TONS more stuff it can do, and I'll dive into it and learn.

[REQ] Any dev interested in porting iRealb to WP and W8?

Hi,
new to the forum here, but I've been lurking for a while. I hope I'm posting this in the right section...
I'd like to bring devs' attention to an app developed for iOS, OS X and Android called iRealb. It's meant for musicians to use as a practice tool, chord chart library and composing tool. You basically enter a bunch of chords and it automatically generates a playback track in different styles using semi-realistic bass/drums/piano/guitar.
It seems the developers aren't interested in making a Window phone or desktop version of their app, claiming they just "wouldn't have the time" but from various posts in their forums it seems they would consider collaborating with someone.
I think there's a lot of potential for revenue if this app was ported to WP, and especially W8. The only real competitor for this app on the desktop is Band In A Box - PG Music were the first to come up with the concept - but it's butt ugly and way more expensive. It also has more features, like soloists and audio tracks (as opposed to synth) but most of them come as paying add-ons. As a comparison, the cheapest version of BIAB is $130 while iRealb for is $7.99 for iOS, $10.99 for Android and $19.99 for OS X. Making a similar app from scratch would also be an option but it would probably be way more work than porting both the mobile and desktop versions that are already developed. Anyways, obviously my opinion is probably biased as I'd really like to be able to use this app on both my WP and desktop.
Thanks for reading and sorry about providing no link, it seems I don't have enough posts to link to content outside the forum.

Would Unity be the best for myself? Or another route?

Hello,
I've been doing some research on the many, many different routes I can go with Android development, and I'm hoping someone might be able to help narrow down my choice. My experience is currently web related, PHP/HTML/CSS, with knowledge of intermediate Javascript, etc.
I'd like to create a very similar game to Football Manager, but less ambitious. For those that aren't aware, it's a simulation game where you're the manager of a soccer team.
My ambition is to keep it very simple, dumbed down. No need to watch the games, pretty much all text with simple graphics for some things.
My issue is, trying to find a place to start. There's literally a lot of different routes, and I'm overwhelmed. Do I use HTML5? Java? One of the programs like Unity, Construct? PhoneGap?
For my specific game, and idea, what would be your best suggestion on what to use?
Thanks in advance.

you can try CocoonJS. it's easy.
It's html5 fraemwork.
CocoonJS is a technology that helps HTML5 developers publish their web-based games and apps in the most important mobile and web stores with no code changes and with all the advantages of native development.
Using CocoonJS, a single code base is enough to publish a game or app natively on more than 10 stores. Best of all, with no installations thanks to our cloud-based platform.
HTML5 is finally ready for cross-platform app and game development!
Learn more: http://ludei.com
But now it's in open beta.
All free, but all Extension only for premium users.
Premium account granted for free, if you have nice idia/project.

The answer is "it depends"
A couple of questions...
1. Will it only be for Android? or are you also planning to push it to iPhone?
2. Will the interface be more like a app (eg. gmail, calendar, utility apps) or more like a game (immersive, completely different interface) ?
3. Will there be a lot of interaction? or mainly consuming information?

pyko said:
The answer is "it depends"
A couple of questions...
1. Will it only be for Android? or are you also planning to push it to iPhone?
2. Will the interface be more like a app (eg. gmail, calendar, utility apps) or more like a game (immersive, completely different interface) ?
3. Will there be a lot of interaction? or mainly consuming information?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Android to start, possibility of iPhone in the future.
2. Straight forward, more like an app, nothing too pretty, more statistical.
3. Mainly consuming information, lots of behind the scenes work.

In that case, I would say go for a mobile friendly web-based app, as opposed to a native app. So this would mean HTML/CSS/JavaScript.
Reasons are:
You want to eventually be on both Android and iPhone. Since you're app is more "app like" if you go native, you'll essentially have to write 2 separate apps to have good user experience (Android and iPhone have vastly different experience guidelines). WIth a mobile-friendly website, you'll satisfy both with one code base
You've already got experience in HTML/CSS/Javascript - definitely a big win!
Since your app will mainly be information consumption, it sounds suitable for a website.
When done correctly, a mobile-friendly website can still be a great experience to use
A couple of things to be aware of...
Don't try and imitate the native UI on the mobile-friendly website. It is a website, not a native app! Users are fine if it doesn't behave like a native app (afterall, they would've just reached your site via the browser). In fact, if you make the website behave sorta like a native app, it might confuse users more. Best direction is to have a good, solid ,easy to use and understand UI. (Be wary of the Uncanny Valley)
Unlike laptops/desktops, mobiles generally are less powerful, so you'll need/want to optimise performance. Make sure the website runs fast & smoothly (ie. optimise resource downloading, minimise/optimise javascript animations etc). Be aware that most phones have a 'click delay' (to detect swipes/drags etc) so you'll want to use something like fastclick to eliminate this.
Remember that on a mobile device your user will be using their fingers (and not a mouse) to click/interact with your website. So make sure tap targets are nice and large.
Finally .... test on a real device! Chrome dev tools etc to simulate phone screens is great for dev, but actually using your website on a mobile will reveal many design decisions that might need to change.
This might sound like a lot to think about, but I think given what you've said about your idea, in the long run, it will be more time efficient. (there is probably a equally long list of things to think about when developing a native app!)
Good luck with your idea

pyko said:
In that case, I would say go for a mobile friendly web-based app, as opposed to a native app. So this would mean HTML/CSS/JavaScript.
Reasons are:
You want to eventually be on both Android and iPhone. Since you're app is more "app like" if you go native, you'll essentially have to write 2 separate apps to have good user experience (Android and iPhone have vastly different experience guidelines). WIth a mobile-friendly website, you'll satisfy both with one code base
You've already got experience in HTML/CSS/Javascript - definitely a big win!
Since your app will mainly be information consumption, it sounds suitable for a website.
When done correctly, a mobile-friendly website can still be a great experience to use
A couple of things to be aware of...
Don't try and imitate the native UI on the mobile-friendly website. It is a website, not a native app! Users are fine if it doesn't behave like a native app (afterall, they would've just reached your site via the browser). In fact, if you make the website behave sorta like a native app, it might confuse users more. Best direction is to have a good, solid ,easy to use and understand UI. (Be wary of the Uncanny Valley)
Unlike laptops/desktops, mobiles generally are less powerful, so you'll need/want to optimise performance. Make sure the website runs fast & smoothly (ie. optimise resource downloading, minimise/optimise javascript animations etc). Be aware that most phones have a 'click delay' (to detect swipes/drags etc) so you'll want to use something like fastclick to eliminate this.
Remember that on a mobile device your user will be using their fingers (and not a mouse) to click/interact with your website. So make sure tap targets are nice and large.
Finally .... test on a real device! Chrome dev tools etc to simulate phone screens is great for dev, but actually using your website on a mobile will reveal many design decisions that might need to change.
This might sound like a lot to think about, but I think given what you've said about your idea, in the long run, it will be more time efficient. (there is probably a equally long list of things to think about when developing a native app!)
Good luck with your idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your help, I appreciate all the information. One last question on my end.
I'm assuming the development tools would be the same as a usual website (ie. In my case, Dreamweaver?). If you're familiar with Game Dev Tycoon, would a layout /similar style of interaction game b, e capable using only Dreamweaver, or is something else needed?

No worries, more than happy to help
I would actually suggest not using Dreamweaver as for the mobile website, you'll really want to be as lean and minimal as possible. From what I recall, Dreamweaver can add quite a bit of 'cruft' to your code.
I would suggest a standard text editor (recommend: http://www.sublimetext.com/) as that would allow you to have complete control over your code, what you include/exclude, what goes where etc. The mobile site will require that extra attention as you really want to make sure it runs smoothly on the mobile.
In terms of quick dev iteration (making sure the site looks correct) you can use the chrome developer tools (https://developers.google.com/chrome-developer-tools/) which allows you to fake the user agent/screen size etc on your browser. Though nothing beats occasional testing on a real device - just to make sure you're on the right track.
Had a look at Game Dev Tycoon and I would say for something as involved as that (lots of interaction, animations etc) it's better to go down the native route.

pyko said:
No worries, more than happy to help
I would actually suggest not using Dreamweaver as for the mobile website, you'll really want to be as lean and minimal as possible. From what I recall, Dreamweaver can add quite a bit of 'cruft' to your code.
I would suggest a standard text editor (recommend: http://www.sublimetext.com/) as that would allow you to have complete control over your code, what you include/exclude, what goes where etc. The mobile site will require that extra attention as you really want to make sure it runs smoothly on the mobile.
In terms of quick dev iteration (making sure the site looks correct) you can use the chrome developer tools (https://developers.google.com/chrome-developer-tools/) which allows you to fake the user agent/screen size etc on your browser. Though nothing beats occasional testing on a real device - just to make sure you're on the right track.
Had a look at Game Dev Tycoon and I would say for something as involved as that (lots of interaction, animations etc) it's better to go down the native route.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again. I appreciate all your help.