1) Select your saved location from the find list.  Please note you must have previously already saved a location.

2) On the find side map tab select the menu button then select “driving directions”

 
3) Always choose “Maps”, not the browser version

4) Select “Navigation”.  Notice your destination is already pre populated with your saved location info.

5)  Google maps will load and then you’re have fully functioning turn by turn directions with voice navigation!

SPECIAL OFFER :)  Okay, here’s the deal.  Want a completely free copy of a2b?  The next 5 people that download the a2b demo, rate it and leave a comment with their “fid” will get a 100% free copy of a2b :)  We have the power to turn your “demo” into an unrestricted version of the app. Sweet huh?

Once you launch the a2b demo you’ll be presented a pop up the lists your number of remaining uses for the demo.  At the bottom you’ll notice a 7 digit “fid” (froogloid ID).  When you leave a comment and rating for the demo make sure to include your fid.  We need this so we can turn your demo version into the unlimited version :)

What are your thoughts regarding the demo?

Link to podcast

Enjoy!  If you have any questions, comments or your own experiences, post em up!

Here’s link to podcast info:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/motodev/2009/04/22/MOTODEV-Android-Podcast-1

Date:  4/22/09

Time:  11:00 am cst

First, chose an application idea that’s do-able.  For example, don’t try to invent a time traveling mobile application your first time out the gate :)  Once you have your idea, do some research to see who else is offering a similar product.  If someone has already built an application that’s very similar to your idea, don’t be discouraged.  The reality is, your idea is probably not an original.  Study what other people have built and figure out a way to add additional features and streamline the apps usability.  Often times it’s better that someone has already built a product similar to your idea so that you can learn from their design shortcomings.

Now that you have your idea, let’s get started with the design.  First, if your not familiar with the Microsoft office application “visio”, I HIGHLY encourage you to learn. It’s a simple application that will allow you to create screenshot designs very easily and fast.  If you’re a newbie check out the visio how-to video’s on youtube.  Here’s one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmDjmm0btO8 Here’s the best part…. a company by the name or artbitfuls has created a custom visio stencil specifically designed for android UI creation.  You can download the stencil here and also see some of the designs they’ve created using visio.  Keep in mind that visio is very helpful in regards to designing your layout and picking which android widgets to use.  However, visio is not a great tool to design custom buttons and graphics.  I would strongly encourage you to use photoshop for this.  When designing, don’t try to reinvent the wheel. The android SDK has provided a wealth of existing widgets to use in your design.  USE THEM!  Trust me, it will make your life so so so much easier!  The previously mentioned visio stencil provides graphics of most of the widgets however, go here for a complete list.

When I make design I try to focus on one thing ~ “make the application as user friendly and intuitive as possible”.  Here’s a tip:  try to find the most non-techie person you know, in my case it’s my girlfriend, and without telling them anything about the application you’ve designed ask them to review the screenshots and provide a play by play on what the application does and how the user will interact with it.  If you’ve designed, let’s say, a bowling game and they think you’ve designed a baseball game you’ve got a problem :)  It’s best to change your design as early in the process as possible.  Otherwise you’ll have a very angry developer :)

Here’s a couple before and after screenshots of a2b.  You’ll notice the layouts are very similar but the actual graphics are different.
Visio Designs:

Built Application:

On a related note, thanks to everyone who provided positive feedback on the android market regarding the latest update.  Your feedback is VERY APPRECIATED!  THANK YOU!

Manually enter location. Select “save location” => “map” tab => menu => “manually enter location”.   

GPS Settings.  You can now configure GPS to automatically turn off when you exit the application.   Go to the home screen => menu => “settings”

New Home Screen Background Graphic.  We wanted more contrast between the save and find buttons and the background. Hopefully this new background will do the trick :)
 

Turn by Turn / Driving Directions. You’ll now have the option to navigate to your saved location using turn by directions. Unfortunately it’s against google’s terms of service to integrate turn by turn directly within a 3rd party application otherwise we would have a built a custom view. Nonetheless, google maps seamlessly integrate with a2b. Select “find location” => select the location you’d like to navigate to via the list => find “map” tab => menu => “Driving Directions”

Email Saved Location. Once you’ve saved a location you can share it with anyone you’d like via email. If you’ve taken a picture and/or created a free text note this will also be sent when emailing the location. Select “find location” => select the location you’d like to share via the list => find “map” tab = menu => “email saved location”

Update Menu.  When you download an updated version of a2b you’ll now be able to reference what updates were made.  Go to the home screen => menu => “updates”

Several UI Enhancements.  Progress circles between screen transitions, pop up toast for playing audio, background color for find map tab distance, manage application description, and various other tweaks.