App Inventor builds functional Android apps which should run on any Android phone or tablet, either by connecting the device to App Inventor for 'live' testing, or by downloading an APK file to the device to install the app (which can then be run independent of App Inventor). Here are some tips for setting up an Android device.
Sideloading Apps
Loading apps from sources other than app stores is sometimes referred to as ‘sideloading’. This requires that the device allows installation of apps from non-market sources; look for a checkbox under
Settings -> Security that refers to installing from unknown or untrusted sources, with an accompanying warning about malicious apps. Some phones will open the appropriate setting when an attempt is first made to sideload an app.
QR Codes
For test setups using a QR (Quick Response) code to initiate a download, installation of a QR code reader such as
NeoReader is required; some phones have one pre-installed. Readers can be configured to open the browser immediately an URL is detected, bypassing the confirmation step.
File Management
If several apps are being downloaded and installed, or an app that takes photos or records sound is being tested, it may be useful to install a utility such as
ES File Explorer. This will allow storage space to easily be reclaimed by deleting downloads and media files.
Amazon Fire 7" Tablet
The recently released
Amazon Fire 7" tablet is the lowest-priced Android tablet currently available (€70 in
Argos or
PC World) and is excellent value for money. It runs Fire OS which is based on Android, and in my tests so far it's been able to run anything I built with App Inventor. The tradeoff for the low price is that it promotes Amazon content, but quite a bit of that can be hidden using Parental Controls (the Fire for Kids setting is too restrictive, as it blocks browser use). The tablet needs to be associated with an Amazon account, but an account can be created during setup without supplying credit card or address details.
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