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AppInventor, Become an Android App Designer (Very Easy)

AppInventor is basically an online resource for making Android apps. However, to make them you don't need to write codes mostly, making this easier for people like me, who dream about actually being a dev.AppInventor, although is a great resource, but got lost in the forums .
The quality of app is really just dependant on the amount of time you are you wiling to spend on it, and how much time you have taken to understand the AppInventor program itself.
There are many apps that can be made from this, ranging to just info apps, to ones that provide links, and others that actually turn out to be mathematical games. Again, it is just up to the amount of time you decide to spend on the app itself, so don't expect your app to be something utterly brilliant the first time.
This can be used as a learning process. The basic logic behind any app development can be found in here.
So here are my first two attempts.
The first one is basically an app that provides me links.
'Indian Restaurants Guide'
This was my first attempt, so please bear my 'noobness'
The app basically provides buttons, which, when pressed lead the person to a website I built. I did not make it a a major thing, trying to draw traffic to the website, rather the website was built for the app. The app, and the website, both are low in content.
https://market.android.com/details?id=appinventor.ai_hateem_ha.glasgowcurrys&feature=search_result
'Neha Sharma Bollywood Actress'
This is my Second attempt
Basically, this app is a bit more complex, and a lot more logic was used.
The app is about an actress, and it gives some more info about her, and also provides links to her facebook and twitter profiles.
Further, it has also links which open up in the youtube application as trailers of her movies.
https://market.android.com/details?id=appinventor.ai_hateem_ha.trial&feature=search_result
The second app, if you notice was a bit more complex, and I had to make use of the Blocks Editor (a tool provided that helps you create the logic) much more. Also, I had to dig deep into the online resources about the app itself, to make sure that nothing in the design and the blocks went wrong. You get better at stuff as you go along, and I think this will be same.
Try Google AppInventor Now
http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/learn/setup/
Tutorials
https://sites.google.com/site/appinventorresources/home/tutorial-topics
'Publish Your App on Android Market'
Taking, it to the next step.
If you want to publish your apps on the Android market, you need to make an Android market publishing account.
The cost is 25$, but if you are even an amateur 'dev', this might be worth it.
With AppInventor, you can not think about generating revenue from the apps you make, unless they are exceptional.
However, once you make an account by going to
www.market.android.com/publish
you can start posting apps on the market.
All apps made on the AppInventor will need to be signed before you can put them on. However, before signing you might want to consider changing your app icon, because the one that comes from AppInventor is just the default one, and I expect you would want to add some personal touch.
Here are the steps on putting your own icon on the app.
[EDIT]
These steps below are not necessary now. In the Appinventor window, when you select Screen1 it will give you the option to set the icon for the app.
The steps below are here, if that does not work out or you are just trying to change the icon of any app.
1)- Get your finished .apk file and rename it from '.apk' to '.zip'
2)- Browse into the now '.zip' file (use any means you like 7zip, windows explorer, etc)
3)- In the first directory of your app you will see a folder called 'res', which will contain the image file.
Now I have tried replacing the file, but somehow it does not work, so select the 'res' folder and delete it.
4)- Make a new folder in the '.zip' folder called 'res'. Then make a subfolder 'drawable'
5)- Find your icon image that you want to put it.
The icon needs to be a 48x48 image in '.png' format.
I used Microsoft Paint on Windows 7 to resize my image to that size and then save as a '.png' file.
You can use that, or if on XP use the default image resizing tool called 'MS PowerToy'
Or you can use this program to resize the images
http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/releases/view/30247
6)- Place the image file in res\drawable\'your image file'.png
7)- Now re-name the image file to 'ya'
8)- Then rename the '.zip' file back to'.apk'
If you can't do it on your computer, send the file to your mobile, and use Astro to rename.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.metago.astro&feature=search_result
9)- This bit's maybe an easier bit, signing your app.
Since there is no easy way to sign an app, I used this program which signs the app with your details.
http://amerkashi.wordpress.com/2011...version-of-app-inventor-apk-to-google-market/
Watch the video about this program, and all will be clear.
10)- After this get the '.apk' created which says 'zipaligned'
Goto your Android market dev account, and upload the '.apk'
Complete the steps, provide Screenshots, and another Icon. This time the icon
has a bigger size. 512x512. Use any way to Resize your image. Then make your '.apk' Active, and Publish your app.
Sounds maybe a bit complicated, but can be done easily if the steps are followed.*
Please leave your feedback concerning your experience with this program, also, please post any links to apps that you make using this.
*I have done all this on Windows 7, so the steps you need to take to complete the procedure might be different on a Mac.

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Bump.........

Cool. Good info. I may give it a try sometime. Thanks
Sent from my King's Alliance Evo running 4G data

Wow, this looks like a real easy way to get into making some apps. Thanks for posting this, I'm going to give it a try.

Thanks, hateem, this is a really good intro to the service. I wish I'd had it when I started!
FYI, AppInventor is one of those Google Labs projects that's been canned. It's still open and there seems to still be some question as to whether they're actually going to shutter it or move it elsewhere and open source it. No, I'm not trolling, I've been an AI user since shortly after it was launched and have been following the discussions over at its Google Group.

I made an account about a year ago, but did not start using it till now.
I did hear some news about it being dropped off by Google, but I don't think that has happened yet, or will anytime soon.

Bump........
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

New way added, to set the app icon.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Cool thanks, i guess this is why there are a million horrible apps in the market lol

The number of apps made by appinventor on the market are low, due to the payment needed for a market account.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Bump........

New SAT app coming soon. This will be a major advancement from the Restaurant app, and will hopefully contain a tinydb.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Now I just need a decent idea!

Im thinkin of making an app which lets you take a snapshot and then edit it quickly, maybe u cud beat me to it?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Is this Easy to use?

PMGRANDS said:
Is this Easy to use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is easier, in the sense that actual app development is exremely complicated. Parts of this (the really complicated apps which make use of webdb) are not easy to grasp, However, most of it is quite straight forward. Plus there are a lot of tutorial videos on this. Just search on youtube, and don't feel like you don't know anything after seeing a really complicated one cause that's really as hard as it gets.
Starters should really begin with Purr and paintpot app, and then maybe move on to making a twitter application and so on.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Just made a quickn simple photo editing app, and a SAT guide using this, will be updating main post soon with links to them.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

App inventor can be frustrating at times due to some of its limitations, but all in all, its pretty good. I have seen that once MIT gets app inventor back from Google soon they have big plans to help it take off even more.
I have an app on the market too, its in beta, its free, and i havent really been working on it for very long. almost 1000 downloads in 2 weeks, so im happy.
Its a RPGish game, with barcode scanning, online battles, npc battles, items, leveling up, etc. Made a network with usernames/passwords, etc. App inventor can be pretty awesome if you use it to its potential.
Heres the link: Market Link
If anyone ever needs help with AI, email me at [email protected], I'd be glad to help.

How difficult would it be to mod the CarCradle app? Specifically for froyo.

So, I decided that the $5 for the car cradle from verizon was too tempting. I've recieved it and have been using it for a day or so and it serves it's purpose. A good charging station that keeps it from sliding around my center console. I'd like to utilize the CarCradle app, but with the removal of bing (I'm not disappointed by this) the app dead-ends when selecting Maps, Voice Search & Navigator. Would it be possible to re-establish links to Google Maps, Goodle Voice Search & Google Navigator instead? I know that there are many other car apps on the market but this one isn't terrible, providing that the links work.
I've unpacked the .apk file but it's like trying to read Swahili. I wouldn't know the first place to begin. I'd like to eventually try my hand at app building but I'm a long way off.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Peace,
Ray

sure, wouldn't be hard at all actually! I'll work on this sometime this week/weekend

wouldnt this be considered as warez if it was modded for foryo.

Thanks Trailblazer, I look forward to seeing your result. The desk cradle app is suffering from the same de-binged issue if you're interested. I still don't understand why Samsung didn't allow for any customization with these two apps. Oh well, it is what it is.
Bierce22, I don't know. If that were the case you could say the same about 75% of the apps that make their way out to the public. Transparent widgets and apps and such would be similar, I would think. For that matter the froyo rom we now have could be considered the same. But I don't know the ins and outs of all this stuff. I'm just a simple end user looking the get the most out of a pretty good phone with lots of potential.

this is just my opinion i dont wont to start a big debate or flaming contest but i remember when theimpailer got in trouble for modding andgry birds to get it to run on lower devices he took out the adds in order to make it work. i just dont want to see someone get into trouble. if u fix it then keep it to yourself and problem soloved lol.

It's all good, I didn't see it as the beginning of a flame anything. The way I see that situation, and I only know what you have posted here, is that Angry Birds is a paid app in the market. Modding that and reposting could be considered copyright infringement, much like reposting an mp3 of a song on the old Napster. These Apps are included as part of the Samsung android os. I guess to eliminate the possibility of being infringement the "proper" thing to do would be to mod the app and only include it in an updated ROM. That way only current Continuum owners could aquire the Apps. But the nature of the open source OS is the ability to freely share modification and development. At least that's the way I see it, for whatever that's worth. Thanks for keeping us honest though. Simply because you can doesn't always mean that you ought. I don't see any issue with this situation... Then again, I'm a little biased as I'm the one interested in the mod. ;-)
Sent from my SCH-I400 using XDA App

Cradle Apps
Hi All,
I started the same musings on the accessory thread, then I started downloading alternatives. I haven't tried any of them because my car cradle was working with Google Maps and Search. I wonder if the de-Bing rom works the same way. I haven't tried that either. I get the same errors you speak of with the original 2.2 rom. I think to use these alternatives you just need to use something like Root Explorer to rename the stock app and name the new one the original stock app name. Search and you shall see the results of the different apps. I can post what I found if needed.

[APP][MOD][4.4+] Instagram without ads and annoyances

Hi all. It seems like there's a lot of people annoyed by ads on Instagram. I was, too, until I figured out a novel way to patch it.
Changes
Removed ads in the feed.
Removed ads in stories.
Removed "who to follow" blocks in the feed.
Removed stories in the feed (those between the posts, not those on top of course).
Carousel posts always show the first media instead of randomly jumping to the second one.
Analytics requests are blocked.
Enabled "internal" settings, accessible by either long-pressing the home tab or in the settings menu. These allow doing a lot, so use with care. The most useful feature so far is the ability to manually override each of the gazillion server-side configuration values.
Without further ado, here's the link: Download.
How my patch works
Instagram, as, probably, all the other Facebook apps, uses Proxygen for its HTTP client. Since Proxygen is written in C++, it needs JNI bindings to be used in an Android app. This means that the Java classes that interface with the native code can't be obfuscated. So, instead of digging through piles of obfuscated code that gets reshuffled with each update, I did the most straightforward thing: I injected my code into Proxygen's Java part. I had to make minimal modifications to the bytecode in order to intercept the API responses and pass them through my code before the app gets any chance to process them.
To repeat the process yourself:
Download any Instagram apk or pull one from your device.
Run apktool d on it.
Download View attachment 4752809 and unpack it. Place the two files into smail/com/facebook/proxygen in your disassembled Instagram folder, replacing the existing ones.
Download View attachment 4842971, unpack it and place the folder into any of the smali folders; I did smali_classes3 because there was no room for method references in the first dex.
Build the new apk with apktool b.
Sign it.
Install it.
Enjoy!
The sources for the hooks are in View attachment 4842969. You compile these with javac, then run dx to convert them to dex, then baksmali to get the smali files that apktool can then integrate into Instagram's dex.
Unlocking the developer settings is another thing entirely as it doesn't depend on the API. There's no getting around the obfuscated code. You need to find an enum class that has RELEASE, DEBUG, INHOUSE as its values. There are several methods that return boolean; you need to change the one that returns true to false (this determines whether this is a release build), and then another one to return true so that the build type returned ends up as INHOUSE. Decompiling it using jadx makes figuring this out a lot easier.
I'll probably automate the patching process at some point in the future.
Hope you enjoy!
13/10/2019: updated to v114 and updated hooks files.

App seems to crash when I access my following list by going to my profile. Running Android Pie.

Ac3Da3m0n said:
App seems to crash when I access my following list by going to my profile. Running Android Pie.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm this. App crashes when I open my following and followers list, and when I open my "viewed by" stories list.
Enviado de meu Redmi Note 5 usando o Tapatalk

I'll test on my Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro

Can I download pics with this Mods?

el_easy said:
Can I download pics with this Mods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It's not modded Instagram app.

Crashes on following/followers list
And on multiple logins also

el_easy said:
Can I download pics with this Mods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. This doesn't touch any of the UI because I aim for it to be as portable between versions as possible. To modify the UI you inevitably have to touch obfuscated code.

These crashes are caused by apktool not decoding resources properly. I created an issue on github.

Great work. On the most part, ads are blocked. However, branded content shows up in the feed sometimes. I think there's an internal setting called "branded content show settings" not sure if this is the right option.
Also has anyone figured out which internal flag switches the feed back to a linear post history instead of the personalized one?
Edit:
To those who can't seem to install the apk, you have to disable Play Protect in the Google Play Store as that is blocking apps with an unknown signature from being installed.

There are some crashes when I tweaking settings, otherwise good mod.

Great work, thanks

I can confirm it crashes when trying to open the followers list

@Grishka11, for many people its crashing including me. Can you upload a patched version so that its easier for everyone to just install the apk?

Grishka11 said:
No. This doesn't touch any of the UI because I aim for it to be as portable between versions as possible. To modify the UI you inevitably have to touch obfuscated code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bro, I will wait for the next version because the crashes ...
By the way, I hope one day you can do the same with Facebook app, I know evilwomba does that, but he takes too long to update..

pratik_193 said:
@Grishka11, for many people its crashing including me. Can you upload a patched version so that its easier for everyone to just install the apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? This is a patched version. There's a bug in apktool that causes it to crash because of the non-standard way the resources are stored in the original apk to reduce its size.
el_easy said:
Thanks bro, I will wait for the next version because the crashes ...
By the way, I hope one day you can do the same with Facebook app, I know evilwomba does that, but he takes too long to update..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mainly patched Instagram because I use it myself a lot. Facebook isn't a thing where I'm from, so I don't even have the app installed, I use the mobile website on the rare occasions when I need it. I can try, of course...

Great work and pretty interesting approach. Keep it up!

Grishka11 said:
What do you mean? This is a patched version. There's a bug in apktool that causes it to crash because of the non-standard way the resources are stored in the original apk to reduce its size.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right. The mod is amazing! It was getting very annoying to see ad after every 2nd or 3rd post on insta.

Any news about a possible fix?

nicknitewolf said:
Great work. On the most part, ads are blocked. However, branded content shows up in the feed sometimes. I think there's an internal setting called "branded content show settings" not sure if this is the right option.
Also has anyone figured out which internal flag switches the feed back to a linear post history instead of the personalized one?
Edit:
To those who can't seem to install the apk, you have to disable Play Protect in the Google Play Store as that is blocking apps with an unknown signature from being installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
confirmed about sponsored post shows up sometimes.
keep up the good work!

[APP][BETA][4.4+] Beta testers wanted!

Hey all!
I have an old app (Last compiled when MM was just released. It worked fine for years, minus user issues.
Well, the government API I connect to changed, and didn't announce it properly. So, I had to make a LOT of changes to my app because of all the changes in Android!
Would like to poke anyone and make sure it works on a devices other than my N and O devices. If interested, it would be appreciated. Can get the APK (only ~4mb) here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IU102R0SDrSSF1tmU5P_RaGMAIVIEqE- It's built in debug mode (not release) and all I'm interested in is crashes at the point. If you crash it, just forward me the logs.
The app is a mapping utility for surveyors to help them find gov't survey markers. The main app need Location permission. If you use the camera or try to record notes, it requires Write External Media and Camera permissions.
I can't seem to test on AVD (which I did try) because they complain that the Play Services version is too low on the AVDs I tried lowering the requirements, but ran into issues, so I'm hoping that isn't a dealbreaker for v4.4 and v5.0 devices.
Thanks!
-Mike

coyttl said:
... Not sure if I should post a link to app, or what. (Never done this before! If it's better i just post link here, let me know, will post it.)
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest to post the link.

Fair enough, thanks for the tip.
Can grab it here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IU102R0SDrSSF1tmU5P_RaGMAIVIEqE-
OP edited.

coyttl said:
Fair enough, thanks for the tip.
Can grab it here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IU102R0SDrSSF1tmU5P_RaGMAIVIEqE-
OP edited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume the government you occasionally mentioned in the OP is the U.S. government and that the applications only works within the U.S. American confines?

Oswald Boelcke said:
I assume the government you occasionally mentioned in the OP is the U.S. government and that the applications only works within the U.S. American confines?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda. Anyone can download it an install it. Google maps will load, the app will run no matter what: Your GPS location is, Your device config, Your culture/language settings are (thought app will be in English only, sorry!).
The map will not pull any data points, though, unless you are zoomed in on an area over the US or it's territories. Zooming in over EU, for example, should not cause the app to crash, you just won't get any markers displayed. (The map SHOULD default on first-launch to be in the US, regardless of where your GPS location reports you to be.
And for those paranoid (yes, like me), my app isn't doing any specific tracking of ANY information. I'm not sending anything out to the US Govt's website except the view bounds of the map. I know they process the location given, but do not know if they store it for future use. Google Maps, well, you'll have to check with google. No POSTs are ever made, only GET requests. Account info IS looked up on your phone to only check to see if you purchased the offline feature addition. No ad tracking, no ads at all. (I don't like any of that ****, won't have it in my app.)

Looking for an app and/or bluetooth expert. To modify an app.

Full disclosure: I dont normally do forums so sorry if I do this wrong.
I purchased a Bluetooth Purification Mask named Atmoblue.
It originated in China. Ive had it for a few months now and it has bluetooth and there is an app for it but it looks like its taking forever for it to be moved over to English.
My question is how hard would it be for a person (or me, with no experience at all) to pull the basic functions out of the app?
For example I want to bypass the wechat login (cause, no) and basically get the pairing function up and running along with the fan speed and some of the auto features in the app and create a basic app til they release the full thing.
If any of you also want to try I can send you the link to the apk. Or if you would do it and require payment at completion how much would that cost?
In case you need to see the device just google Atmoblue.
Thanks again everyone.

mastershino said:
Full disclosure: I dont normally do forums so sorry if I do this wrong.
I purchased a Bluetooth Purification Mask named Atmoblue.
It originated in China. Ive had it for a few months now and it has bluetooth and there is an app for it but it looks like its taking forever for it to be moved over to English.
My question is how hard would it be for a person (or me, with no experience at all) to pull the basic functions out of the app?
For example I want to bypass the wechat login (cause, no) and basically get the pairing function up and running along with the fan speed and some of the auto features in the app and create a basic app til they release the full thing.
If any of you also want to try I can send you the link to the apk. Or if you would do it and require payment at completion how much would that cost?
In case you need to see the device just google Atmoblue.
Thanks again everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is pretty much a 99.9% chance that you won't find anyone to do this for you. The best you can hope for is someone might give you some links to guides showing how to decompile and edit apk files. What you would modify in the apk file to achieve your purposes would require you doing your own research to figure it out. You can ask further questions along the way about the things that you don't understand, but there are no guarantees that you will get any useful answers.
In other words, be prepared to dig in and do the work yourself, if you really want to accomplish this feat. If not, get used to dealing with the app the way it is.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Yea, i started researching the day I posted this. I've been reading and reading and reading. Ive gotten to the point where I now have access to the battery percentage. Currently, trying to figure out the characteristics in the device itself and the values needed to change each of the modes. Also, it looks like the app from the company is pretty much useless to try to use. Based on the code (from what I can understand after 2 days of research and starting off with 0 coding knowledge) the app has to use wechat to basically be able to access a server and then the server sends it back to the phone then the device. Meaning I can't just look in the code for what values I need, unless I was able to actually sign into wechat and record the log. Which I can't do since I don't have access to wechat.
So now I'm currently looking up how to write code in the programs I've found to write it and create a ui. Ive at least figured out uuids and figured out how to call up the battery percentage now. Only like 3 more settings to go! Wish me luck lol