http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/index.html
So this is another one of those Google invitation things. You have to enter your google account email to apply for an invitation.
Basically, what it looks like is Game Maker for Android Apps. A drag and drop programming tool that lets you create apps for an android phone. You have access to GPS, phone functionality, and internet, so you could do pretty much anything with this. Seems like this opens up opportunity for even amateur programmers to start creating really interesting apps for the android market.
Scotti this seems like a good idea but I don't really think anything good would come out of it. I mean the apps may suck (idk) and I don't think this will attract any one to the phone.
I don't see any use in this at all. Maybe it can help teach the fundamentals of programming but that's all I can think of.
I see a flood of hello worlds coming to a android marketplace now. I'm vary negative about it.
Here check this out: http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/learn/gallery.html
Sample App gallery.
Seems like you can make pretty much any kind of app with it. You'd be surprised at the ingenuity of the general populace. Sure, there will probably be a crap ton of awful, useless apps, but there will probably be a whole bunch of really good ones. Plus, if you feel inclined, you can whip something up to suit your own needs.
I think the great thing is that this is available. They've made it so extremely accesible to make content for the android os. You can certainly choose to ignore it, but you can't deny that this provides a very good opportunity.
Looks interesting. Is this thing supposed to be free?
I can't imagine Google charging for anything. I applied for an invitation without paying, so I'm guessing I won't have to. There may be a fee for being able to publish to the marketplace, but even then that might only be if you want to charge for your app. If you publish your app for free I would guess you don't have to pay for that, but I'm not sure.