Can you now create apps using MIT app inventor on android tablets?

[kaypot...@googlemail.com]

Hi, I want to buy some Samsung galaxy tablets for my primary school children ( juniors ) to start using MIT app inventor. Will they be able to create them on the tablet ? Will they be able to do it all ( create and demo / watch) on this tablet?

Thanks

[Enis]

Hi Kay:

Not really.  The reason is that the functionality for dragging and dropping blocks and components on a tablet or phone are just not there in AI2 yet.  It's planned, but there's no ETA when it will happen.

Presently, you can test on tablets, but you can't develop on them.

[SteveJG]

No,   You can not design and create on an Android table.  The students will have to use the Samsung tablet in conjunction with a PC or Mac using WIFI or USB..

To use App Inventor, your computer must meet the following system requirements:

Computer and operating system

• Macintosh (with Intel processor): Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6
• Windows: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
• GNU/Linux: Ubuntu 8+, Debian 5+

Browser

• Mozilla Firefox 3.6 or higher
• Apple Safari 5.0 or higher
• Google Chrome 4.0 or high
• App Inventor does not support Microsoft Internet Explorer. Windows users should use Chrome or Firefox

Phone

Applications created with App Inventor can run on any Android Phone. The development environment and Setup software itself directly supports the following phones: Any additional devices will require Windows drivers provided by the hardware manufacturer.

• Google: Nexus S, Nexus One, ADP1, ADP2, Ion
• T-Mobile: G1*, myTouch 3G*
• Motorola: Droid*

* Or similar hardware on other carriers

Whichever model you have, your phone must have an SD card (physical or virtual) installed, or else the phone won't work with App Inventor. Most modern Android phones have virtual SD cards, so this is an issue only for older phones.

App Inventor also works with many other Android phones, including models from HTC, Samsung, and Dell, but in many cases you will need to download and install additional software from the manufacturer. You can find details for a few of these models in that table at the bottom of the page for setting up your phone. Even if your phone is not listed there, it is still likely to work with App Inventor. Consult the App Inventor User Forum under "Getting set up and connecting your phone" for advice from others who may be using the same phone.

Regards,

Steve

[Abraham Getzler]

If the students and the school can't afford Windows,  Mac or Linux systems,
you might be forced to use lesser-powered Android-based free platforms ...

RFOBasic (some low level access, but fooey on their GUI),
Catrobat (Scratch on Android - underpowered, kiddie level.)

There are more development platforms , no doubt.

ABG