1.71 Now released

[Dave]

Hi All,

Just rolled out a 1.71 release which has a few minor tweaks since 1.70.  I would normally go through the alpha / beta stages before releasing new versions, but the changes below are very minor (1 line fixes) and I need to get a stable version released so that I can move on with the latest alpha version.  Hopefully nothing will be broken since the last, rather rushed release. (famous last words)

I'd be interested to get your feedback on the new drag-drop editing functionality and the remote terminal extension too.  The drag-drop coding can be enabled by going to the about box on the device and checking the 'experiments' box then refreshing your browser.  This block based coding is only available on Chromebooks and in the Wifi editor currently, but it might be possible to get it to work on tablets (phones are just too small unfortunately).  

The block editing is mainly aimed at younger coders as it removes the problem of syntax errors which I've found to be the biggest obstacle for coders under the age of about 10. You can load scripts into blocks code and execute single lines of JavaScript too which allows the two worlds (blocks and js) to mix and hopefully encourage young coders to graduate to JavaScript as soon as they feel comfortable with it.  The blocks color scheme has also been changed to match that of the micro:bit 'MakeCode' editor which should make moving between the two environments easier and more intuitive. I think the two tools complement each other very nicely and would be very suited for teaching coding and electronics in an educational setting.

Please remember that the blocks editor and terminal extension are still works in progress and may not yet be suitable for use in the 'real world', but we will only find out by trying them and getting some decent feedback :)

Latest APK can be found here (if you don't want to wait for Google Play:- 

  http://androidscript.org/apk/DroidScript_171

Here are the recent fixes:-

DS 171

- Chromebook blocks game template now working.

- Fixed black background on 'SDK' menu on Chromebook.

- Delayed homepage load by 2 seconds (else sometimes fails).

- Chromebook Terminal tab now fixed (for premium users)

- Terminal extension now works after second wifi button press.

- Fixed app.Execute() double quotes bug.

- SQLite now works with NODOM option.

- Switched from Locale.ENGLISH to Locale.ROOT to prevent missing lang issues.

- Using NoDom now works with Transparent apps and DS shortcuts.

[Steve Garman]

I see the up-to-date version of the apk-builder plugin has not made it on to Google Play yet.

I am not clear whether this is a propagation issue or the upload of the plugin was missed during the rushed release of versions 1.70 and 1.71

For those who don't know, and who need the updated plugin immediately, you can go to http://androidscript.org/apk/DroidScript_171/
and download the file apkbuilder.zip

Place that .zip file in the folder
  /sdcard/DroidScript/Plugins/
(You may need to create that folder if it does not exist)

Then restart DroidScript.
The plugin should be installed automatically.

[Philippe Lagarrigue]

Dear Dave, I like your app and it was working fine until v1.71, I'm reporting this because I'm using app.CreateSMS() which doesn't work anymore on the updated version, your sample SMS doesn't work, there is not even a debug output!

[Steve Garman]

@Philippe,
This is because of a change in the Google Play rules.

Dave explained the circumstances in the release notes for the emergency release v1.70 https://groups.google.com/d/msg/androidscript/2u5LQzfbkks/6g_KTv46GAAJ

[Philippe Lagarrigue]

Thx and sorry! Does it mean that I can install a working version from http://androidscript.org/apk/DroidScript_170 or http://androidscript.org/apk/DroidScript_171?

[Steve Garman]

Not yet I'm afraid Philippe.

We don't have a date for making a version with SMS permissions available.

The most recent version with SMS working is DroidScript_168

But if you are planning to post your app on Google Play, I recommend looking at the terms.

Details of the new Google rules are here.
https://play.google.com/about/privacy-security-deception/permissions/

[Philippe Lagarrigue]

No, I'm building on app just for private use, so if I install http://androidscript.org/apk/DroidScript_168 then it will work again?

I just discovered your app 1 week ago but one thing is still unclear for me, do I need to run my script under DroidScript or can it run as a standalone app? I already tried to find the answer but without finding the right answer!

[Philippe Lagarrigue]

I just downloaded the file apkbuilder.zip (v1.68), placed that .zip file in the folder /sdcard/DroidScript/Plugins/, I had to create that folder and restarted DroidScript but I still have v1.71

[Philippe Lagarrigue]

In the mean time, I understood that the APK plugin is needed for building standalone app, as soon as I can download the version 1.68 (I tried already many times but I still have version 1.71), I will buy it!

[Steve Garman]

To install v1.68 you need to go to
http://androidscript.org/apk/DroidScript_168/

and download DroidScript_168.apk

Because you are installing an older version, you will probably need to uninstall your current version of DroidScript.
You can do that from your device's Settings or from the Google Play app.

Then you can install DroidScript_168.apk by clicking on it in your Download folder, provided your Device is set to allow Unknown Sources.

[Philippe Lagarrigue]

Thank you Steve, everything works again!

In order to get the APK plugin, can I buy it directly from the D.S. app even if I don't have the latest version?

[Steve Garman]

You should be able to, Philippe. If you have problems, let us know

[Philippe Lagarrigue]

Hi Steve, yesterday, after installing version 1.68, everything was OK, then I installed the APK plugin and today, I tried to run my script (which uses SMS) but it didn't work, I checked the version and I have again the latest one without having done an update to 1.71. 

[Chris]

Service autostart on boot fails. :-)

[Chris]

app.js not extracted to .edit folder creating documentation problems.

https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/androidscript/gyFqlQfSbb0

[Steve Garman]

In 1.71 running on my chromebook, there is a problem when I try to open the Premium menu. Looks like the playstore object is null.

[Steve Garman]

Yes, 1.71 on Chromebook is definitely struggling to identify Premium

• App.IsPremium( )
• -> false
• App.SetTheme( #2 )
• WARNING: App.SetTheme() failed! (Themes are a Premium feature!)
• App.GetUser( )
• -> steve....@gmail.com