Android app on ChromeOS

[Evan Sullivan]

We are testing the Android app on our Chromebooks to connected.  Still not getting an IP, only shows 0.0.0.0.  Do we have any progress on this?

[SteveJG]

Some Chromebooks have issues with App Inventor  others do not..

What appears to be happening is your Chromebook and the device you are using with Companion are not on the same WIFI connection.  It is possible that your IT department is blocking ports 8001 and 8004, required for communication between the Chromebook and the device.  This advice might help     

• School IT/Network Admins: Information specific to school networks (also helpful for conferences and hotel situations)

      if it does  not try the information in  these Forum discussions  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/mitappinventortest/Chromebook%7Csort:date  

There should be some information there that should help.   Be aware, Chromebooks cannot use the emulator, however you might be able to connect with the Companion for live development.

Regards,

Steve

[Evan Sullivan]

I am from the IT department.  There is only ONE device, I have the website up on the chromebook and the app running on the chromebook.

So the app on a Chromebook will not work?  Is that something they are working on?

[Evan Sullivan]

The Chromebook is using the Android app not the emulator.  The companion app

[TimAI2]

How are you trying to run the Companion App or Emulator ?

[Evan Sullivan]

I downloaded the companion app from the play store on the Chromebook.  Then I got a code from the website on a project.  However when I launch the companion app the IP is all zeros and will not connect

[Evan Sullivan]

[TimAI2]

Ah, you can run android apps on your chromebook :)

To do it this way you will somehow have to get the android app (Companion App) to hook up to the same network (wireless or wired) that your chromebook is on. On my linux machine, using genymotion/virtualbox for the emulator I can configure networking, not sure if you can do the same on a chromebook  now. This used to work out of the box with ARC Welder.... before Google took it down ...grrr !

What happens if you try with a real device, e.g. android smartphone?

[Evan Sullivan]

They are currently using Android tablets and it works.  We are trying to eliminate devices as the students have Chromebooks.  In theory the app should use the same the network as the Chromebook since it's the same device.

[SteveJG]

Your problem is "There is only ONE device, I have the website up on the chromebook and the app running on the chromebook.", I do not believe that is possible.

You said " In theory the app should use the same the network " but it does not.   There are probably some comments regarding this in the haystack of Forum posts.

AI2 was never designed to work with a Chrome book.  Use a real device and live develop using Companion and it should work with no problems.  Your Chromebook is not an emulator nor is it a real Android Tablet or cell.

Regards,

Steve

[Evan Sullivan]

"Your problem is "There is only ONE device, I have the website up on the chromebook and the app running on the chromebook.", I do not believe that is possible." It IS possible using an Android app, I have the screenshot.  The app just does not get an IP on a chromebook.

We are trying to eliminate the need to be buying and managing a second device when we SHOULD be able to use the Android app on the same device.  That's a waste of money, tax payer money on a second device.

Other apps running on Chromebooks get network, like games.  This is a limitation on this specific app i guess

[SteveJG]

Wow. "It IS possible using an Android app, I have the screenshot.  You said "The app just does not get an IP on a chromebook." but it does not provide the IP connection."   Sad but true.

Chromebooks are cheap but in your case a false economy.

Will doing what you want to do ever be possible Evan?   Someone from MIT will comment, your posts have been flagged.  Give them a few days to reply.

There are many ways to get what a school needs.    Ask the parents for donations of  used Android devices no longer in use.  Many or most phones that used to work with a paid subscription will work with  WIFI as a development device .   Just make sure the Contacts and personal information are scrubbed.  Students will be very happy. Students can also share projects/devices .. many schools do that.   There are other low cost options.

Be careful, you might get what you ask for... Sharing the Chromebook screen with both the Designer  AND  a live app? running side by side will provide a cluttered work environment.  But, if that is what you hope for, good luck. It might be possible but not at the present.

[Evan Patton]

Hi Evan S.,

What model of Chromebook are you using?

Cheers,

Evan P.

[Evan Sullivan]

The model I have been testing on is the Asus C202

[Evan Patton]

 Thanks for the info. We have something that we've been working on that may help you with getting the companion working on a Chromebook. I'll follow up with you privately once we have something you can help test.

Cheers,

Evan

[Evan Sullivan]

Awesome!  Thanks!  I assumed that the Android apps worked differently on a Chromebook.  I was hoping that there is an update in the works.  Using one device is a far better option.  We are not making massive apps, it's for classroom learning, so having one screen would be fine.  Thanks again!