Why Aren't You Using Google Keep ?

Google Keep is an amazing little web based note taker!

 I can understand now at this point that inviting a new app into your live to keep lists and reminders is a crowded space. But I really want to open your minds to this one. Google Keep has some tremendous benefits for the super busy person who wants labeling in one place.

• Syncs across Google Accounts, Allows Sharing and Exporting to Google Docs
• Provides Notifications and Reminders
• Allows for labeling, labeling
• creating checkboxes and crossing items off of your list without losing the item.
• Allows for archiving, changing of list color and email sharing.
• Has nice smooth web and desktop interface linked with your Google Account.
• It can also be added as a shortcut to your Google Apps(The same place you find Drive and Docs).

I was slow to start using Google Keep as it was very similar to Evernote in its features but as a dedicated Google Docs user the creation of Docs from my lists was the biggest selling point. Additionally, the ability to have a cross platform application that syncs with my Google Desktop as an option makes efficiency when moving from location to location amazingly simple.

Google Keep Desktop View

I have used this app to share lists which are constantly evolving and changing in real time. I have also used this list maker to more easily enable blogging on the run and turning into a Google Doc in a click of a button.

So go ahead download the "Keep" app from Google Play or find the 3rd party "Go Keep" app from the App Store and test out the sharing of lists,notes,photos and whatever your heart desires across email accounts.

Also be sure to view your synced desktop version when logged into your Google Account.

https://keep.google.com/

I think may find yourself returning to it before you know it as your go to list maker/ creative space.

Week 4: Lesson 8: Integrating The Image Switcher Into The Application

Lesson 8: Integrating The Image Switcher Into The Application

INTRODUCTION

In this lesson you will learn more about working with images, editing XML layouts for images and parameters and creating a new class to support swiping images within the application. This is a great lesson to review some of the core content you have learned up to this point and refine your understanding of key concepts such as creating classes, working with the XML, overrides and the parameters of the layout of the application. Within this lesson you will also be introduced to the image switcher and will learn how to integrate it into your application.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Section #1: Working With Images In Java for Android

1.     Summarize the use of images in mobile applications.

Section #2: Layout Parameters

1.     Summarize how to edit the layout parameters in XML.

Section #3: Video Demonstration:

LEARNING SEQUENCE

Required Reading	Read the following: ·      Section #1: Drawable Resources Working with Images in Your Android App Development Working with Images in Android ·      Section #2: Properties and Layout Parameters Layouts: Organizing the Screen
Resources	View the following:  ·      Eclipse (Integrated Development Environment) ·      Android Software Development Tools (SDK) ·      Sample Code ·      Video Transcripts
Assignments	Complete the following: ·       What are the image file types which Android supports? What are some of the locations which these files are stored to be used in a project? ·       Describe some of the properties of an Android Layout. What is the meaning of the Layout Parameters? ·       List the central components to getting the image swiper to work. What new skills have you learned in this lesson in managing this project?

INSTRUCTION

Section #1: Working With Images In Java for Android

In this section you will learn how to manage the use of images and graphics within an Android development project. You will learn how to save image resources in the appropriate locations in resource folders and display, change and work with bitmap graphics in Android projects.

Step 1.

Read: Drawable Resources

This resource shows a list of the basic types of graphics which can be brought into a Java for Android project. The list provides an overview of the image types and how they will be attributed in the XML.

Step 2.

Read: Working with Images in Your Android App Development

This reading will provide you with an overview of graphics and images in Android.

The folders in which images can be stored as well as the supported files which are used with Java for Android are included. This resource also describes the process of defining images in the XML of the application. Addition effects are also covered on pages 2 and 3 of this tutorial. You will review how to change the code to edit an image and also a basic background on image processing.

Step 3.

Read: Working with Images in Android

This reading shows you how to view an image in Android and also how to change the image. You will understand how to edit bitmap images. This reading explains image attributes, scaling an image and rotating images in Android.

Step 4.

Complete Assignment #1:

Section #2: Layout Parameters

In this section you will be provided an overview of the properties of the Layout Parameters which will support your knowledge of how objects are viewed in the application. You will learn how setting the layout parameters adds new views for components of the application.

Step 1.

Read: Properties and Layout Parameters

This reading provides the direct description of what layout parameters are and why they are important to the view class in Java for Android. Understanding this basic overview will be highly beneficial as you move through this lesson and need to define the components of layout.

Step 2.

Read: Layouts: Organizing the Screen

Review this presentation that will put the layout parameters into perspective with your current knowledge of relative layouts and nesting of components of the layouts and common attributes.

Step 3.

Complete Assignment #2:

Section #3: Video Demonstration

In the video tutorial for this lesson you will learn how to integrate the image swiper into the application. You will create the XML for the layout of the swiper page and create the ImageSwiper class for the images to swipe. You will also learn where to place the images into the correct resource folder for them to be linked. At the conclusion of this video you will better understand the sequence of connecting the activities to the XML layouts in the application. You will also become more confident editing the code to begin new activities.

Step 1.

View & Practice: Lesson 8 [12:52]

SUMMARY

In this lesson you have been introduced to how to work with images in Java for Android. You have reviewed information about how to place and save images in order for your code to work. As you worked with organizing the creation of files within the project, you also learned how to adjust the layout parameters of the elements you are adding. The video which corresponds to this lesson walked you through the process of identifying and applying skills using images, setting parameters and organizing images within the resource folders. In the next lesson you will learn how to export the .apk file which will be added to the Android device for testing.

ASSIGNMENTS

·       What are the image file types which Android supports? What are some of the locations which these files are stored to be used in a project?

·       Describe some of the properties of an Android Layout. What is the meaning of the Layout Parameters?

·       List the central components to getting the image swiper to work. What new skills have you learned in this lesson in managing this project?

Week 4: Lesson 7: Integrating Sensors Into Java For Android

Lesson 7: Integrating Sensors Into Java For Android

INTRODUCTION

In this lesson you will learn more about relative layouts and how these can accommodate a variety of different content in your application. You will also be introduced to the variety of sensors available for Android mobile application hardware and software and how they function based on motion or environmental conditions. Within this lesson you will also be introduced to the Accelerometer Motion sensor and will learn how to integrate it into your application.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Section #1: Understanding Sensors in Java For Android

1.     Summarize the use of sensors in mobile applications.

Section #2: Understanding Relative Layouts

1.     Summarize the benefits of a relative layout.

Section #3: Video Demonstration: Relative Layouts & Integration Accelerometer Sensor

LEARNING SEQUENCE

Required Reading	Read the following: ·      Section #1: Sensors Overview Motion Sensors Using the Accelerometer SensorEvent ·      Section #2: Relative Layout
Resources	View the following:  ·      Eclipse (Integrated Development Environment) ·      Android Software Development Tools (SDK) ·      Sample Code ·      Video Transcripts
Assignments	Complete the following: ·      What are sensors in mobile applications and how are they used to interpret information from the world around them? ·       What are the benefits of using a relative layout for your application?  Why are positioning views important in a relative layout? What do they do?

INSTRUCTION

Section #1: Understanding Sensors in Java For Android

In this section, you will be introduced to what sensors on applications are and how they can be integrated into Android applications. You will learn how motion sensors work and how to integrate the Accelerometer sensor into an Android application. You will also be introduced to the SensorEvent class which supports the integration of the sensors into Java for Android.

Step 1.

Read: Sensors Overview

Read the Sensors Overview provided by Android. This reading will explain the three main types of sensors, included motion, environmental and position sensors and how these have been integrated into Android application development. The reading provides an overview of the sensor framework, classes and interfaces that help you to perform different types of sensor-related tasks used on Android.

Step 2.

Read: Motion Sensors

This web page describes the variety of motion sensors available with Java for Android. This reading will describe the difference between hardware- and software-based sensors and outlines how motion sensors can be used to monitor device movement (tilt, shake, rotation and swing) from direct user input. The page also reviews the application of motion sensors for reading device movement. A list of motion sensors available on the Android platform is provided with descriptions. This page also introduces you to the Using the Accelerometer. 

Step 3.

Read: Using the Accelerometer

The section on the Accelerometer sensor gives you a conceptual model and code examples of how to measure the acceleration applied to the device, including the force of gravity. The reading explains how the accelerometer can be used to monitor device motion and how pervasive it is in Android devices such as handsets and tablets. 

Step 4.

Read: SensorEvent

This is a class described for the use of a SensorEvent in your Java code. Use this document as a guide when implementing it into your code. It provides an overview and a sample.

Step 5.

Complete Assignment #1: Describe the intents that you see in your current mobile application.

Section #2: Understanding Relative Layouts

In this section you will understand how to create a relative layout and edit its attributes and then integrate it into a Java for Android project.

Step 1.

Read: Relative Layout

Use the reading provided to review what relative layouts are and how they can organize the content of your page. This reading provides the benefits of using a relative layout and how it can benefit the design of your application. This resource also provides the details of positioning views within the relative layout. A sample of the relative layout in XML is provided and will be useful to you as you complete the video tutorial. The additional sensors listed will assist you with future development projects.

Step 2.

Complete Assignment #2: What are the benefits of using a relative layout for your application? Why are positioning views important in a relative layout? What do they do?

Section #3: Video Demonstration of Relative Layouts & Integration Accelerometer Sensor

In this video you will create a new XML file for the Accelerometer and add the Accelerometer to the menu. You will also create the Java code for the Accelerometer and add the necessary activity code to the Android Manifest to have the Accelerometer run within the application.

Step 1.

View & Practice: Lesson 7 [12:33]

SUMMARY

In this lesson you have practiced using sensors in mobile application development using Java. You were provided an overview of how sensors interact with environmental factors, while you created the Java code for integrating an accelerometer sensor into your project. You also integrated a relative layout into your project and learned how the positioning views can adjust your project in the layout. In the next lesson you will learn how to integrate an image swiper into your application and. You will use the same process of creating an XML file by adding the item to the menu and creating the Java for the swiper to run.

ASSIGNMENTS

·      What are sensors in mobile applications and how are they used to interpret information from the world around them?

·      What are the benefits of using a relative layout for your application? Why are positioning views important in a relative layout? What do they do?