The idea I had when getting this book was the need for more tablet specific development tips. I already have developed several succesful android applications, but did not catch up with the the new fragments and actionbar stuff.
I must say I didn’t do a lot of research before getting this book, and that is likely the cause of a mismatch with my expectations.
This book is really for people starting with android development, not for people already having lots of experience and wanting to touch on tablets a bit more. It does have a section on fragments and the actionbar, and I enjoyed that, but it was a bit brief.
That said, it definitely is a decent book for beginners. It handles all the views and basics, even getting eclipse up and running and publishing apps to the marketplace.
It should be noted that the book is in full color and uses that to its full extend by displaying lots and lots of screenshots. I think if you are a visual type of guy it could help you with getting started. Personally I like the info to be a bit more concise without having to switch to screenshots.
I may be sounding a bit negative here, but I do think it could be the right book for some of the starting devs. It definitely gives you a great introduction into Android development, so if you are a beginner and like the more visual approach to it, consider this book. However, if you are looking to brush up your skills, maybe you should look to another more advanced book that could help you out.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
I just finished flashing my HD2 with ICS and must say that I am a bit tired of finding out that the whole design (icons/apps) is totally rehauled. Somehow Google doesn’t have a keen sense on what they want to implementate GUI wise. Android 2.1 was a overhaul regarding the icon style, and with ICS they redesigned everything again.
I don’t think it’s really a improvement, although you probably adjust to the new changes. More a pressing concern is that the Design team has not a real consistent vision and this forces users to re-addept every time they buy a new phone. Also as a developer it’s quite frustrating, since you need to spend more time on the GUI side of your app. Not that that is a bad thing, just that is annoying.
update
Well, after a few days playing around with ICS I must say I am impressed by it’s speed and lovely design. 
I love it!! Still don’t like it that there is so much change again, but the system itself is gorgeous and fast!
Fretterapp.com
For our iOS version of Fretter, the chordfinder with reverse finder option for Guitar and other instruments, we have created a new website: http://www.fretterapp.com.
Check it out, to see some screenshots and info!
Addons Detector 1.2 released!
I teamed up with Denper to create the next version of “Addons Detector“. It’s a great app to scan all your installed apps for integrated addons. It detects all the adproviders and also a lot of other integrated addons.
Addons detected:
Ad related
AdKnowledge, AdMob, AdSense, AdWhirl, AirPush, Burstly, Cauly, GreyStripe, InMobi, JumpTap, LeadBolt, MDotM, Medialets, Millenial, MobClix, MobFox, MoPub, OneRiot, Papaya Offers, PontiFlex, Quattro, Smaato, Vdopia, Zest.
License Related
Google Licensing Service, SlideMe SlideLock
Analytics Related
Claritics, Flurry, Google Analytics, InApp, Localytics, Medialets, MixPanel
Gaming Related
OpenFeint, Papaya Social, ScoreLoop
Dev Tools Related
AndEngine, Corona, Immersion Motiv, RoboGuice, Ruboto, Unity3d, Zong
Check it out, and let us know if you miss a add-on!
KeyChord 2.0 released!
It’s official: KeyChord 2.0 is released for Android. All current owners of the lite and bought version get it freely as a update.
For this overhaul, I redesigned the interface. Or better to say, I did now include a interface. It’s a big step forward from the previous version, as you can see in the screenshots.
Added is now more information on the chord screen, like full chordtype name, intervals and alternative symbols for the same chord. Also the menu option to select the chordtype is very improved. Easy, beautiful and now with a recent and favorite section! New is the Staff View, where you can see the chords and scales on a staff instead of on the keyboard.
It’s been a while and there has certainly been some updates to my apps. Most important update was for Mini Piano. The graphics got a overhaul and now it looks real slick!
A lot of languages also got supported now, like Chinese, Korean, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, etc. Great for your kids.
Also loading times for the instruments are gone. No more waiting when switching to another sound.
The Windows Phone 7 version of Fretter is now available on the Marketplace.
It’s functionality is equal to it’s iOS version. Both iOS and WP7 version will receive audio playback with the first update, scheduled for coming weeks.
Description:
Looking for ways to play all those chords on your guitar, banjo, ukulele or mandolin? Look no further, Fretter is the ultimate chordfinder!
Fretter doesn’t rely on a database with diagrams, instead it calculates all the possible diagrams for a given chord/instrument/tuning combination. It’s algorithm is optimized to only present to you the chords that you can actually play as a human.
Because Fretter is build this way, you can select any tuning and still have all the possible chords presented to you. And, even nicer, you can do a reverse search!
You can easily select a basic or advanced chord, optionally with added bassnote, and go to the diagrams. Each diagram has extra information about the chordnotes and the intervals used.
As mentioned, also included is a reverse lookup option. Nice if you are a bit adventurous and you are coming up with your own chords on the guitar, but don’t know how they are called. Fretter can help you here by providing you with the correct naming.
If you are looking for a chord reference app: this is what you need.
Feature list:
* Support for Guitar, 4,5-string Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin
* 50+ chordtypes
* Tunings: 75+ predefined
* Added bassnote (C/D)
* Reverse lookup
* Chord Intervals
* Note Names
Fretter is out for iOS (appstore link) and we’ve got the first review in.
AppAdvice.com was so kind to contact me for a review version and I’m happy with the result.
It’s especially nice to see that they value the reverse chordfinder option so much, while I personally thought that the dynamic generation of all the chords is it’s strongest selling point. Very cool to see a different perspective.
For a long time Fretter has been available for Android and has been successful on the market there. After a lot of work I have finally finished porting all the code to Objective-C and finished the iPhone version of it!
Now iPhone users can enjoy the dynamic chordfinder Fretter too!
The 1.0 version does not yet include sound playback and custom tunings, but the generation of the diagrams, including zoomview, chordnotes and intervals are all working. Guitar, 4,5-string Banjo, Ukulele and Mandolin are supported in this version. All the 75+ predefined tunings are also there!
So, if you are looking for a good chordfinder for your iPhone, that doesn’t rely on some simple database with chords, but instead knows how chords work, try Fretter!
Umito: Ruby Solutions
A logo for my company Umito, designed by my then housemate Joost Knuit, when I was studying at the TU Delft (Back in 2005).
Beautiful. I guess I stick with it for a while.
Current direction is indeed Ruby. Ruby on Rails, JRuby, IronRuby. A new way, a new life!
Designing patterns into ruby. A beautiful way! Now hoping to let it shine.