Google releases a non-programmers app building tool

GOOGLE has released a graphical coding environment in the hope that it will boost Android application development among inexperienced developers.

App Inventor, a graphical integrated development environment (IDE), aims to help those with no programming experience get their first taste of coding applications for the Android operating system. It will, Google hopes, usher in a new breed of developers and more functionality for its burgeoning mobile operating system.

The IDE is clearly aimed at those who want to create amateur applications that serve personal needs that aren't catered for by the ever growing library of applications in the Android Market. Although App Inventor doesn't push the boundaries of what is possible on the Android operating system, Google is quick to point out that it is nonetheless "powerful".

Applications developed through the IDE can access the GPS sensor, phone commands and even the operating system's text-to-speech capabilities. Although established developers might not quake in their boots at the thought of new developers tinkering around with App Inventor, the IDE is just the sort of thing that will bring new talent into the open source community.

Apparently Google has been trialling the software in classrooms all over the US for the past year and not surprisingly the results were encouraging.

Google will be hoping that if even a small percentage of students get started on developing for its Android operating system, they will continue to do so in their careers or influence others around them to use the open source operating system. µ