Hi There!
My wife, a doctor who is still studying, is wondering if there is a way she can use her new android phone to take better quality notes at lectures. Previously she was using a WM65 with Word, and taking text notes, but it was not possible or very difficult to add diagrams, or highlight important words, or draw arrows to particular things. Is there a great quality app that handles taking notes easier? Happy to pay.
Secondly, she has a forerunner watch which won't download her running data such as the track she ran, average speed, etc. Can she use her phone for that data collection and find a nice app to transfer it to her PC to view in a usable format?
We are also lastly looking for a cross platform (Windows 7, Android) shopping list application. Happy to pay, but would prefer one off cost. Needs to be simple and able to be shared across 3 devices nicely.
I think Evernote could do the first and last thing, taking notes, with schemes (maybe, not sure) and make a shopping list, which is cross platform, since you make an account on Evernote's site, and you have the Windows' program and the Android application to keep track, and it's off cost up to a certain storage
Hope I've been of help, just look for Evernote on google!
OK people
I’m pretty good with IT and the written word but have no coding experience whatsoever. I want to develop a phone App (both iPhone and Android).
The app will include Google mapping technology, Facebook check in capability, account sign up and message system to fellow subscribers and push notifications triggered by geographical location and in app advertising.
I know there are different web based services and software for App development. But I am totally overwhelmed over where to start and I’d rather not learn to code from scratch.
If anyone could point me in the direction of any required reading/research, web tutorials or lectures I would be most grateful. Or if there is software that would allow me to develop the app easily. I don’t really like to idea of signing up with an online service in case I want to move the app to a business model in the future.
Alternatively any affordable services that allow me to keep full control of the app even if I unsubscribe could work.
Thanks in advance
Rumski
This will be useful for you..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1914819
Are there any sites dedicated specifically for artists on a mobile platform (either IOS or android). Im a long time sketcher but decided to move onto digital medium in the hope that it would improve my options in colouring and painting images. I'm slowly getting used to sketching on my note but was hoping to find tips and guides on drawing on a tablet computer. Most of my searches have given me results on PC/ MAC and wacom stylus using photoshop.
I've started to put together a spreadsheet with a list of all the apps available on android and what their functionality and limitations are. various layer options. resolution. tools etc etc. I'll be uploading it to google docs this evening and sharing it in the hope that I can get others to help me populate it. I've bought a fair few apps now and have been disapointed once I realised it cant do x, y or z. Plus its difficult to keep track of updates that include new features. I'm hoping this table will allow me (and others) to build a suite of apps that best cover their personal requirements and stremeline their workflow.
I cant find any site that is aimed specifically at artists on a mobile platform. Can anyone advise of any? All I see is the odd subforum here or there.
I'm thinking of starting a new site specifically aimed at artists on a mobile platform with links to various resources, reviews on apps, a forum specifically for art related discusion etc etc...
would anyone be interested in helping me? I dont have any experience in putting together sites and am currently looking at a free one on webs.com or something.
One of the things I want to acheive is a comparison chart between all the drawing apps available on android and some more detail behind them other than whats on the play store (like in the attachment).
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.
I'm a first time app developer/designer. I'd like to develop an app for use in Africa, and want it to work with the widest possible range of phones. I saw a study that showed about half of the phones there are very basic, with SMS capability but no browser (53% basic phones, 37% "feature" phones, 9% smart phones).
The app would help the user navigate the process of accessing some social services. I want it to document each "case", and allow them to log in and record steps that they have taken in the process. It would show them information about the administrative process, and advise them of the next steps to take. They could also view the history of their case (what they've recorded in the app, what communications we've sent them via the app., other info). So obviously the app would utilize some kind of database.
So, my questions are:
1. Is it possible to create an app for use on very basic phones? If so, what sort of user interface would the app have on these phones.
2. Are there development tools available that create phone-model-aware apps, so that I can develop one app that works on all phones, including a more sophisticated interface for smart phones?
Thank you.