Monday, July 12, 2010
Google's Android App Inventor: App Development for the Rest of Us - based on Open Blocks visual programming
INFORMATION FROM THE GOOGLE APP INVENTOR WEBSITE:
- Complete this form and we'll have you building apps soon!
- Set up your computer and phone for App Inventor.
- Run through the tutorials that introduce App Inventor.
- Get help by joining the App Inventor Google Group.
The blocks editor uses the Open Blocks Java library for creating visual blocks programming languages. Open Blocks is distributed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Scheller Teacher Education Program and derives from thesis research by Ricarose Roque. We thank Eric Klopfer and Daniel Wendel of the Scheller Program for making Open Blocks available and for their help in working with it. Open Blocks visual programming is closely related to the Scratch programming language, a project of the MIT Media Laboratory's Lifelong Kindergarten Group.
The compiler that translates the visual blocks language for implementation on Android uses the Kawa Language Framework and Kawa's dialect of the Scheme programming language, developed by Per Bothner and distributed as part of the Gnu Operating System by the Free Software Foundation.
The educational perspective that motivates App Inventor holds that programming can be a vehicle for engaging powerful ideas through active learning. As such, it is part of an ongoing movement in computers and education that began with the work of Seymour Papert and the MIT Logo Group in the 1960s."
More on this topic later!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Cisco's Cius, An Ultra-Portable, Android-based Mobile Collaboration Business Tablet: Supports Real-time, HD Videoconferencing, and the "Cloud"
Credit: Wired Gadget Lab, CISCO
Here is a promotional video from Cisco that provides a few scenarios that highlight how the Cius can be used in a cloud-computing business environment. The Cius provides mobile telepresence capabilities. It runs on the open-architecture of the Android operating system.
Here is a video, recently uploaded by someone attending the from the "reveal":
Cisco Cius Demo at Cisco Live
From the CISCO Cius website:
- 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G/4G data and Bluetooth 3.0 help employees stay connected on and off-campus
- HD video (720p) with Cisco TelePresence solution interoperability for lifelike video communication with the simplicity of a phone call
- Virtual desktop client enables highly secure access to cloud-based business applications
- Android operating system, with access Android marketplace applications
- Collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, WebEx, Presence, and IM
- 7” diagonal, high-resolution color screen with contact-based touch targets delivers an elegant, intuitive experience
- HD Soundstation supports Bluetooth and USB peripherals, 10/100/1000 wired connectivity and a handset option
- Detachable and serviceable 8-hour battery for a full day of work
- Highly secure remote connections with Cisco AnyConnect Security VPN Client
- HD audio with wideband support (tablet, HD Soundstation)
UPDATE
Pictures are from Jason Hiner's blog at Tech Republic:
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Mobile User Experience Graphic, via Sachendra
I came across the following graphic from a post by Sachendra on the Technology, Mobility, Usability and other Musings blog:
What I really like is how the picture depicts the "user" out and about, walking a dog. It gave me a smile, since I now carry my Android Incredible with me when I take out my own dog. My dog loves to stop and sniff around, one of her life's pleasures, and when she does, I found that it is a good time for me to interact with my connection to the world.
Although the picture in depicts a man, it could be a template for use during the user-centered design process. I see a lot of parents pushing strollers AND walking dogs as they are tethered to an iPhone or another sort of SmartPhone. In some cases, there are two dogs, and infant, and a toddler!
The author of the blog post includes a series of video clips that show the different ways HTC, Motorola, and Sony Ericson have utilized the Android platform by tweaking the UI to enhanced the perceived user experience.
Friday, November 20, 2009
DROID & Interactive Display in Times Square; DROID Voice-activated Search
The video below shows people in NYC's Times Square using their Verizon Droid phones to interact with the Verizon Wireless digital signage billboard:
The Droid offers a voice-activated search feature. Users can ask a question, and the search engine, powered by Google, will provide the search results from the web or from items stored on the phone. One feature I like is that it provides turn-by-turn directions from Google Maps, as well as other helpful geographic information. This would be a great tool for city dwellers and visitors alike.
The video below is a demonstration of how the Google Maps Navigation feature works on Android-based phones:
RELATED
Verizon, Motorola Unveil the Droid
Marguerite Reardon 10/29/09 CNN Tech
Verizon Droid Gets New Google Innovation: Real-Time Internet-Linked Navigation
Michael Hickins, BNET
Announcing Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0
Google Mobile Blog
DRIOD by Motorola Fact Sheet
Cross posted - Interactive Multimedia Technology
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Layar for Android, an Augmented Reality Browser for Android: 3D version coming in November 2009
"Eventually, the physical and the virtual worlds will become one"
The power of location-based services is harnessed by Layar, working on mobile phones that have a compass, GPS, and a camera. The first version of Layer targets mobile devices with the Android operating system.
Layar, world's first mobile augmented reality browser:
TechCrunch Video: Layar: Augmented Reality Browser for Android
How it works:
In November, Layar Reality Browser will add 3D functionality to its augmented reality platform for Android:
"With 3D, developers can tag real-life objects with 3D text, place 3D objects in real-world space, and create multi-sensory experiences. The addition of 3D enables Layar developers to create more realistic and immersive augmented reality experiences for mobile devices"
Layar3D Augmented Reality Engine Trial: Arcade Game
Layar 3D Augmented Reality Engine Trial: Venue Tagging
How Layar 3D Works
" Layar 3D makes use of OpenGL, the accelerometer, the GPS and the compass of the phone. Developers can place 3D objects in their content layers based on coordinates. Objects can be optimized in size and orientation to create an immersive and realistic experience. The 3D capabilities support live downloading and rendering of 3D objects. Actions such as “open link” or “play music” can be assigned to 3D objects."
I love this concept!
For your convenience, I've provided links from the Layar website:
View all 116 layers that are now live all over the world on Layar 2.1
last update September 25th 2009
- Real estate (17 layers)
- Health care (4)
- Transportation (14)
- Tourism: Places to stay (4)
- Tourism: Tours / Guides (12)
- Eating & Drinking (10)
- Leisure and entertainment (19)
- Games
- Weather (1)
- Retail (12)
- Governmental (2)
- Universities / Schools (5)
- Local search & Directory service (4)
- Social networks & communities (11)
- Other (1)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Interaction with Mobile Phones: Building On Android - Sony Ericsson's Rachael & HTC Hero
Both Sony Ericsson and HTC have built upon Google's Android build to create new "user experiences" for mobile phones. 
Sony Ericsson Rachael UI Video:
"Sony Ericsson "Rachael" Android XPERIA handset unveiled?"
(Paul Miller, engadget, 7/4/09)
Sony Ericsson's Android Rachael UI Makes Me Want to Ditch My iPhone
(Jesus Diaz, Gizmodo, 9/8/09)
"Make it Mine, Stay Close, Discover the Unexpected!" Personalization with HTC Hero Touch-enabled Smart Phone"
HTC recently launched the HTC Hero. I haven't had a chance to touch one, but it looks interesting enough to make a trip to my local mobile phone service provider and see how it works.
"HTC Hero launch event video featuring HTC Sense™ - an intuitive, seamless experience built upon three fundamental principles - make it mine, stay close, and discover the unexpected." -HTC
The two video clips below explain the rationale behind the HTC Hero and why the company thinks it is an important innovation:
PART I
PART II
A few quotes from the video:
"It begins with listening and observing people as they use their phone..."
"...there has been a fundamental shift in people's phone expectations..."
"People want to stay close with the important people in their lives, and have online information...Voice is key, but no longer enough...The SmartPhone is the New Phone, people no longer expect their Internet to be at their desks anymore. They expect it everywhere they are. The Internet is becoming the fundamental of the mobile phone. Access to web browsing, streaming media, and connected applications has taken off, and this is where Smartphone really excels. People really appreciate the experience..."
HERO UI Introduction:
Related:
HTC Debuts Hero, With Fresh Face for Android
(John Herman, Gizmodo, 6/24/09)
Google Android Info
"Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. The Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications that run on Android-powered devices."
Cross-posted on the Interactive Multimedia Technology blog.
