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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Android Game Development - Top Tutorials

Labels: Android, Game Development 7 comments

So, you want to start an Android game of your own. But it isn't a cakewalk right? A game requires much more knowledge than just creating a simple layout and onclick events. It requires an in-depth knowledge of how exactly activities, classes works in Android, and ofcourse requires a very good Photoshop knowledge for a good UI development.

In this post, I'll be sharing the top game development tutorials that are available in the market. Hope you like them.

Kindly note this thread will be continuously updated with the latest information.

1. Memory Game -

Memory game has always been a top selling game type in Google play. Apart from obvious paid versions, the ad-supported versions will give you enough revenue to buy a bi-cycle or a DVD player.

So let's how to make one -

Tutorial 1: Everyday Developer -
This simple but very useful tutorial tells you how to make a multi-column type memory game. It also offers a sample code for download.

View Tutorial

Tutorial 2: Gumroad memory Game Tutorial -
An open source project with lots of tutorials

View Tutorial

Tutorial 3: Muggezitfer - GitHub
Although, it does not have a detailed description, it has a very detailed source code for the game. One can always check the comment to learn how to develop a successful memory game.

View Tutorial

Tutorial 4: Multimatch
Just like above, this game is open source and the user will be needing a svn software installed in his system.

View Tutorial

Tutorial 5 : Sourceforge.net
Another open source Android Memory game tutorial with downloadable code.

View Tutorial

2. Maze Games -

After memory games, second most popular game type is the maze games. Don't worry,

Tutorial 1: Jforeach
A detailed description about how a maze game can be made. The source code is also available for download.

View Tutorial

Tutorial 2: Flash and Math-
A nice tutorial with source code for a complete maze game

View Tutorial

Tutorial 3: Droid Maze form GitHub
Another opensource maze game. Has good amout of different types of maze available to you.

View Tutorial

To be continued..

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Android Development - FAQs, Errors and Solutions

Labels: Android 0 comments

This page is dedicated to all Android developers to save them a lot of pain, time and bandwidth. The page is continuously being updated with the latest tips and solutions for Android Development.

1. R.java is missing

Possible Reason(s) -
One of your XMLs has an error. Either a tag is common between two XMLs or a tag is not closed .

Solution -
Expand the res/values and assets folder. Check whether any XML has Error icon in it. if there is any conflict, resolve it. Then Go to Project->Clean in the top menu bar.

Entire project will be rebuilt and you'll be good to go.

2. AlertDialog not working when passing Context parameter as this.

Possible Reason(s) -
You've passed this instead of YourActivityName.this in the AlertDialog.Builder function.

Solution -
Pass YourActivityName.this inside the Builder function as shown below -

AlertDialog.Builder builder = new AlertDialog.Builder(YourActivity.this);

builder

.setTitle("Are You Sure?")

.setPositiveButton("Yes", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {

public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int id) {

//Do Something

}

})

.setNegativeButton("No", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {

public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int id) {

dialog.cancel();

}

}).show();

3. How to check whether the application is installed in the device programmatically?

Simple. You just need to know the package name of the program. Pass the package name in the following function -

private boolean appInstallStatus(String packageName)

{

try{

ApplicationInfo appinfo= getPackageManager().getApplicationInfo(packageName , 0);

//Application exists

return true;

}

catch( PackageManager.NameNotFoundException e ){

//Application doesn't exist

return false;

}

4. ADW Theme: How to launch ADW Theme selection window from your Application?

So you've made an ADW Theme, an interface with an apply button and you want to show the ADW theme section menu on clicking it.

Sadly, normal ADW launcher doesn't have anything to handle that. However ADW EX has that effect. Use the code below -

Intent i=new Intent("org.adw.launcher.SET_THEME");

i.putExtra("org.adw.launcher.theme.NAME","com.yourtheme.package.name");

startActivity(Intent.createChooser(i,"Apply theme to..."));

5. ADW Theme: How to change the app drawer icon in ADW?

Well, according to this, you can't

6. How to install an apk in Android simulator?

Simple.

a) Start the simulator.
b) After it boots into android screen, go to Android directory (generally c:/program files/Android) & browse to platform-tools folder.
c) Copy and paste the apk there.
d) Open cmd and change the directory to platform-tools folder.
e) type adb install <apkname>.apk

Done...

7. While installing, I'm getting application already installed error.

Follow the above steps till d.
Then type adb install -r <apkname>.apk

8. How to see debug info in Android?

In eclipse, go to Window > Share View > LogCat. The logcat window will open. Now, in AVD, run the application and the log will be shown in LogCat.

9. Emulator showing "Waiting for device" when trying to enter adb command.

Your adb server is having problem. Type adb kill-server and then try to install.

10. My app is crashing only in QVGA/LDPI in emulator.

Most likely you haven't included icons or images for LDPI screen (inside res/drawable-ldpi) and thus the application is trying to render an hdpi/mdpi icon in an ldpi screen and crashing.

Just try to include icons for LDPI screen (36px X 36px) and see whether it is working.

11. How will I find launcher actions for an application?

Two ways -
a. Go to http://activities.droidicon.com/
b. Install Sony AppXplore - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonyericsson.androidapp.AppExplore

12. How to check the number of times an application has started?

@OnCreate (Bundle bundle){
  mPref = getPreferences();
  int c = mPref.getInt("numRun",0);
  c++;
  mPref.edit().putInt("numRun",c).commit();
  //do other stuff...
}

@Override
protected void OnPause(){
  if(!onFinishing()){
    c = mPref.getInt("numRun",0);
    c--;
    mPref.edit().putInt("numRun",c).commit();
  }
  //Other pause stuff.
}

To be continued....

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Top 7 free Go Launcher EX themes for your Android phone.

Labels: Android, Software Review 0 comments

Go Launcher EX is a very popular application for android. With over 5 million downloads, we can easily say that is is the most used launcher app for Android devices. Moreover, unlike other launcher like APEX or NOVA, it supports older versions of Android like Froyo and Gingerbread. That makes it one of the most compatible launcher application too.

With the launch of Go Theme Framework, it was expected that the number of themes in the android market will increase. Currently we have over a thousand themes for Go Launcher in Google Play. Out of them, I've Handpicked 20 themes that I liked to have in my Galaxy Note. Enjoy!

1. JellyBean Go launcher Theme -

Without doubt, this is the best and most elegant Go launcher theme available right now. It gives you a proper feel of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and comes with 6-7 wallpapers. The icons look great too!

Download

2. Indianizer - India Flag Theme -

While this theme is comparatively new, it is no doubt the best flag theme out there. It may not attract audience from all countries but Indians. But the sleek and elegant design is sure to earn praise from everyone. Moreover, it's developer Alienizer says in another post that more countries will be added soon. So stay tuned. :)

Download

3. GLovelight Go Holistic Theme -

This is a minimalistic theme you should download before Valentines Day! ;)

Download

4. PinkMusic Go launcher Theme -

One of the best theme that suits both male and female users. It is not only minimalistic, but also have a very nice blend of black and red. The icons blend perfectly into the theme's interface. A work of Art!.

Download

5. Vintage Go Launcher Theme

This theme showcases all kinds of old gadgets as it's icons. Turn your mobile screen in to a nostalgic memory with this awesome theme from a very well known publisher Andrea Reis Fagundes.

Download

6. Festival GO launcher Theme -

Created by Official Go Development Team, this theme continues to rule this festive season. While the color scheme is a little bit flashy, the gold icons will no doubt take your breath away!

Download

7. Windows 8 Go Launcher Theme -

This is one of the most elegant and minimalistic theme I've ever seen in Google Play. The only reason I've kept it at number 8 is the lack of screenshots and icons available to this theme. Developer, are you listening? Fix that and it'll move up all the way to 3rd place.

Download