Free Android App to Quit Smoking

What has an Android app to help you kick the habit got to do with online business and this blog? Erm, well the app is one of mine... so I wanted to tell you about it - and how easy it is to create your own Android apps.

First, please indulge me for a moment...

Free From Smoking - The App

The app itself is very simple, it allows the user to play a MP3 recording of a hypnosis session which has been used successfully by many people to help them stop smoking. Don't worry - I didn't create the session (that was done by a qualified professional with many years of experience), I just built the app. From the app, users also have the ability to access a website which has a whole host of helpful information.

• find out if you're ready to quit
• check that this programme will work for you
• read tips to help you quit smoking
• understand how hypnosis works
• see why hypnosis is so effective in quitting smoking
• read about the professional, experienced therapist that recorded this session
• learn the health benefits of stopping smoking
• read the full terms and conditions of use

If you're an Android user who wants to quit smoking (or know anyone that does), check out the FREE Quit Smoking App.

How to Create Android Apps Quickly for FREE

This is actually my second app (the first was CallerID Manager - a simple way to show/hide your number, which is surprisingly difficult on Android phones). The thing that both apps have in common is that they're very simple and are designed to solve a specific problem. I've actually been surprised by how many downloads these apps get - it seems easier to get traffic to new Android apps than new websites.

Soooo, how do you go about creating your own app?

1. Start with Google App Inventor

Download App Inventor from Google Labs. Watch the tutorials and get started by building your own simple app. It's designed for people with no programming experience, just an interest in these things. And don't despair - it was months between me downloading it and having a genuinely good idea for an app.

2. Prepare your app (APK) for the Android Market

When I first used App Inventor, I didn't realise that you can't actually upload the APK file you create to the Android Market. It's a bit crap that Google provide Google App Inventor to create Google Android Apps for the Google Market and don't let you upload them.

For CallerID Manager I paid a freelancer on oDesk to recreate my app for me in a format that could be uploaded to the Android Market. But, since then I discovered...

Free software to automate the conversion of App Inventor APKs for the Android Market!!!

It's really simple to use - so if you like it, be kind and make a donation to the developer.

Note that unlike iPhone apps, you can actually host Android apps on your own website - but it's worth uploading them to the Android Market for extra exposure.

3. Upload your app to the Android Market

I won't take you through the boring setup and $25 cost of creating an account. The thing you're likely to struggle with as a beginner is taking the minimum required 2 screenshots of your app. Unlike the iPhone, taking screenshots on your Android phone is a nightmare - unless your phone is 'rooted' (hacked) - which I don't recommend if all you need is screenshots.

It is a bit of a faff, but the process is to download (and install) the Java SDK and then the Android SDK. You'll then have all the tools you need. The easiest way I found is to follow this tutorial for taking Android screenshots without root.

4. Relax and enjoy monitoring the popularity of your apps

That's it - and it does take a bit of getting used to... but if you're reading these articles, it's well within your reach. Have fun.

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