How to Create Android Apps

Aug 9, 2010

Oooh – I’m really excited about this one!

Google have released a Beta version of App Inventor for us, the great unwashed, to play with. Previously it has been tested only in schools – some say as a way of forcing Android to be the default option for the next generation.

I’ve been looking for something like this for a while and having been put off by the negative feedback frenzy some “advert monetised” apps; such as Genwi Apps, have created, I’ve been thinking about going to a specialist app developer – indeed I have been in conflab with one only recently.

And get this – the new tool is WYSYWG too. You can find it here. Well, hopefully. In this first roll-out stage, you will have to apply and wait for your invite. Shouldn’t be too long.

I will most definitely be spending some time playing with this and will report back.

Genwi apps suck – apparently.

Apr 19, 2010

I am in the process of setting up some SEO tools to be accessed through this website and at the same time have been considering creating an Android app in order to share with the handheld world.

One of the companies I came across is Genwi (or iSites in the USA). Their prices looked reasonable and their ethos looked good, however, it appears that Genwi apps are getting a very bad name for being simple wrapper apps that are ad driven. Continue reading

Using Google apps premier edition as a cloud drive

Apr 6, 2010

I am making the transition to the cloud. I have a Google apps premier account which I wish to use for file storage and synchronisation.

Seeing as it’s now possible to host any file type in a docs account, I was hoping to use those nice chaps at DocSyncer to mirror my hard drive so that my docs are available on a sub-domain of my apps domain and on my Android hand held device. Continue reading

Android apps marketplace – have Google lost the plot?

Apr 6, 2010

There have been many comparisons lately between the iPhone and the various Android powered devices. And rightly so seeing as these giants are going head-to-head leaving Windows mobile lagging behind. A long way behind.

I have coveted the iPhone for a long long time, but have kept away from Apple due to my dislike / mistrust of iTunes. My point of view here may be out-of-date, but it is based on a horrible user experience long ago where iTunes attempted to take over all of the multimedia activities on my PC even though I specifically unchecked all of the file associations. Another bloaty Apple product Quick Time does that too. Neither of these products have been allowed anywhere near my PCs since. Thus, I’m an Android user and was previously a Windows mobile user. Continue reading

Microsoft to give users a choice over default browser.

Feb 24, 2010

Your friend and mine; Microsoft, have been forced by the European Competition Commission (ECC) to offer users a choice of their default web browser.

The ECC have been gunning for Microsoft. They think the idea of wrapping Internet Explorer into the worlds most popular OS is restricting the ability of alternative browsers to flourish – they’re probably right.

In December 2009, the commission ruled that Microsoft was too powerful in the browser department and in an agreement with the commission, Microsoft will start offering the choice no later the the first of March. So, keep a look out for a screen that looks a bit like this:
Continue reading

The Best Ideas are Often the Simplest

Jan 31, 2010

Many if us Twitter types spend quite a lot of time building and tweaking our on-line following. I know I do – well it is part of my job to grow our Twitter following – but some people have the simplest idea and have grown their following exponentially. Continue reading

Re-branded website.

Oct 12, 2009

Well here we are Ladies and Gentleman,

The long planned re-branding has taken place (mostly – there’s much more to come). Visitors used to the old Zoom Group website should be able to find their way around and are welcome to comment on the new design.

I will be monitoring the server to see if there are any 404 errors pop up. If anybody finds a bug or an error, please add details to this post.

Thank You.
Kevin Heath.