My First Google AppInventor App

So I finally got my beta invite to AppInventor.  This tool allows you to build apps for the Android platform through simple drag and drop tools through your browser.

I have to say, this is amazing to say the least.  I was able to drop a label and orientation sensor on the screen, and write the orientation angle of the phone to the label.  A few button presses later and I had the application installed and running on my phone.

While it doesn't have the power of the native API, Google is setting out to use this to teach high schoolers how to program.  This is a lot more visual than the Basic they made us do on the Atari 400's back in middle school, but none the less I think it is a great tool for very basic applications and education.

http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/

Blog Templates For All

Short post, just noting the new blog template designer Google put in place today.

This is a pretty good start.

OS Heaven

So after a previous blog post I had a fully functional Ubuntu install with a running LAMP server I could talk to from Windows.  Recently it was requested I begin filling in the brain pan with iPhone app development however.  So I eliminated a machine, then immediately had a need for another.  All previous iterations of running Mac OSX on a PC were the PowerPC variant, which you could not install the developer tools to.

Thanks to a particular LifeHacker article:

http://lifehacker.com/5583650/run-mac-os-x-in-virtualbox-on-windows

(if you try this, the article neglects to tell you that you have to format your drive with disk utilities for the drive to show up, and also forgets to mention you should check one of the chameleon boot loaders on the install options screen along with the updates)

I was able to get OSX (Intel) working in VirtualBox which just happens to be what I was using for Ubuntu.

Browser testing, iPhone development, LAMP box, all from Windows 7 without rebooting.

Bonus:  VirtualBox machines are pretty dang portable.

Side Note:  Yes I have the license for OSX.  When it comes to operating systems, try to stay clean.  The cost of Mac OSX is a much better deal that what they bend you over the table for on their phones (still an Android lover).

Update 7/19/2010:

Just found this little beauty, update your virtualbox's from a web browser:
http://code.google.com/p/phpvirtualbox/

Droid 2.2 Notes

So before the great VZW locks me down in 2.2 I decided to get off the can and flash a custom rom.  Timing seemed right since Bugless Beast just released his stock 2.2 final source version:

1.  Installed all app updates I could find.

2.  Use the free version of MyBackup to backup apps (be selective, fewer the better imho), call logs, sms logs, etc.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.rerware.android.MyBackup

3.  Followed the instructions to get root on my stock 2.1 Update 1 here:
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/05/06/guide-to-rooting-android-2-1-on-a-motorola-droid/

I had problems with Step 1 on one of my PC's, Flash would just error right away.  Tried the netbook and took first try.

I did both Step 1 and Step 2, those that are brave can probably use Step 2 to do a custom rom directly, I wasn't brave and wanted to use Rom Manager.

4.  Use Rom Manager to load bugless beast .3 (Update:  .4):
http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.koushikdutta.rommanager
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/28/release-bugless-beast-v0-3-froyo-frf83/

Just get whatever bugless beast's latest/greatest is, they feel pretty close to stock but have some nice bells/whistles.

5.  Restore select apps/settings using MyBackup.

6.  Install Flash - Just use the .apk here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=686578&page=2

Download it and use Astro File Manager or the like to run it from the SD card, will have to allow "Non-Market" apps.

7.  Configure Chrome to Phone (so far my favorite feature by far):
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/08/tip-use-chrome-to-phone-in-froyo/ 


8.  Redo my launcher screens (hopefully last time, Titanium will back these up next time).

9.  Wifi Tether:
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list

I could only get this working with both WEP and Access Restrictions turned off, so take it as it is, but it works.

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SKIP THIS:
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And since I wrote this, I will also have to try out this rom instead of Bugless Beast next:
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/29/download-new-motorola-droid-froyo-frf84b-leaked/

Update: Scratch that - "I loaded it....and immediately removed it. I was tethering my laptop and it came to a Verizon subscription page to signup for the verizon tethering plan..."
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My Apps: wolfie's Apps on the Droid

That is all.