Summary
A new version of AppInventor Toggle (2.8) has been released to the market and various online stores. Download links can be found at the bottom of this page. For changes, view the change log.
This is a simple utility application that allows one click enabling of the two features needed to work with Google's AppInventor. With one button, the app disables orientation sensing and enables "stay awake" on USB/AC power. The app also features custom settings of these two states. Updates are accompanied by Toast notifications.
Details and Screenshots
When started, the application reads the current state of the system settings and displays the interface accordingly. The user is presented with four possible options: a button, and three check boxes. The button is used to flip between two states: AppInventor Mode ON/OFF. When AppInventor Mode is engaged, orientation sensing is disabled (thus unchecked) and stay awake is enabled so that users developing on their machine and phone do not have to constantly refresh/unlock the screen to view changes. (The orientation sensing behaviour can be altered in settings)
Apart from the two AppInventor modes, the application can be customized to support custom states based on the user's preferences by checking/unchecking any settings they want. Each change immediately updates the global settings and Toast notifications provide confirmation of these actions.
AppInventor Mode can be easily tested by tilting the device and ensuring that the interface does not rotate into landscape mode. When disabled, and the same test is repeated, sure enough, the interface rotates with the device. Further, the device stays awake if it is plugged in preventing the screen from 'sleeping'. The screenshots display the application and a 1x1 cell widget placed on the home-screen for instant access to toggle the AppInventor mode.
The latest update now features the ability to detect when a cable is connected and react to that event. Users can choose whether or not to react to this and to what type of cable to react to. Their options are AC power cable, USB, or both. Selecting USB works best for me so the device "stays awake" when I'm developing on it. But this is customizable in the settings screens (seen on the right).
The software was tested on various emulator configurations and a Google ION running Android 1.6 (API Level 4). Please submit comments/suggestions/questions/bug reports to hussaintin [at] gmail [dot] com.
Update (2.8)
 Upgrades:
- UI updates - Settings screen, About screen
- Further customization allowed. Orientation sensing can be customized
Please email me if there are errors in translation.
For a detailed description of all changes, view the change log.
Adding the widget to your home screen
- Tap and hold an empty space on your device to bring up the "Add to Home screen" window popup.
- Select Widgets by tapping or clicking on it.
- Look for "AppInventor Toggle" in the list and select it.
| When enabled, the widget lights up with a white power button on it's icon. In the disabled mode, the widget has a washed out appearance with a black power button. |
On:
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Off:
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Download and Market Links
Links:
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