"How-To" Video Explains Step-by-Step Process of Using Google Maps With AniMoby

AniMoby recently released a video showing the step-by-step process of how to use their app with Google Maps.

AniMoby for Android tablets recently combined their features with Google Maps to help travelers stay on the right route. Access to Google Maps is now possible from within AniMoby, where users can add voice and design features. This allows for more thorough explanations of route details, adding a personalized experience to giving directions.

Find out more by checking out the video...

Top European App Review Site Gives AniMoby Praise

One of the top European app review sites, El Android Libre, recently gave high praise to AniMoby Interactive Whiteboard in a detailed report about the app.

El Android Libre is composed of numerous technology-oriented analyists and journalists, and is based in Madrid. Thus, the article's text is only in Spanish. However, a basic translation of an excerpt follows below:

"This application lets you create interactive presentations from your smartphone or tablet. Specifically, we can record the screen and audio while performing an explanation, using our screen as a blackboard on a blank canvas or on a PDF document... the uses are endless and obvious at once." - El Android Libre

El Android Libre has been providing Android-related news since 2009 and has won several awards within their industry. 

Receiving praise in the blogospheres is nothing new to AniMoby, as numerous blogs have put the spotlight on AniMoby's benefits to the world of education. To date, AniMoby has nearly 50,000 total downloads; a number that is growing each day.

Click on the links to download AniMoby for Android tablet, iPad, and iPhone.

Click here to read article in-full (in Spanish) on the El Android Libre site.

AniMoby, Google Maps Make Directions Simple

For all those who have confidently embarked on a journey with a map in-hand but ended up on the wrong side of town (or county, state, country, etc.) - AniMoby for Android tablets has combined their features with Google Maps to help travelers stay on the right route.

Access to Google Maps is now possible from within AniMoby, where users can add voice and design features. This allows for more thorough explanations of route details and adds a more personalized experience when giving directions.

"If a friend gives me directions to his house in a part of town I am unfamiliar with, normally I would get the address and make an itinerary using Google Maps," said Haroldo Teruya, AniMoby Android developer. "But this is problematic, as no matter how good the directions are, the territory remains unfamiliar.

"However, with this feature, it's like having your friend along with you lending a helping hand," added Teruya. "Also, if there is an interesting landmark or something that will interrupt the route, it can be mentioned in the AniMoby version of the map. For instance, my friend could tell me about a construction area on the route, or a pizzeria where he wants me to grab a slice for him."

To access Google Maps from within AniMoby and incorporate these features, click on the photo icon (shown below) in the AniMoby toolbar.

In the prompt that follows, click on the "G" icon (shown below) and choose the "Google Maps" option. This takes the user to the Google Maps feature.

From there, Google Maps will appear and users have the option to enter their desired destinations, and Google will determine the appropriate route and provide a detailed itinerary; identical to the process found in the internet browser. 

To incoporate AniMoby's voice and design features, the user must then save the map and itinerary to their image library by clicking the icon shown below, and return to the original AniMoby screen. 

 At this point, the maps can be re-opened from the image library and dragged to the screen, where voice, text, arrows, lines, highlights, and other design elements can be added.

These added features are a part of  the recently released AniMoby for Androids 1.1 version. AniMoby users do not need to download the application again to receive these updates: they should happen automatically.

Also, the Google Maps feature currently is only available for AniMoby for Android tablets, and not for the AniMoby versions for iPads and iPhones. However, a project using Google Maps with AniMoby on an Android tablet can be published on the AniMoby website and available to view with any computer or device with internet connection.

"Even though a Google Map/AniMoby presentation can only be created with an Android tablet at this moment, by no way are its benefits limited to this device," said Teruya. "My friend can make personalized directions using Google Maps with AniMoby, and I can view it enroute on my iPhone or on my laptop while sitting on my couch."

To download AniMoby for Android tablets, click here.

AniMoby Android Update Improves App Performance

The makers of AniMoby Interactive Whiteboard released an updated version for Android tablets that drastically improves user experience and overall app functionality. 

Those who already have AniMoby for their Android tablet do not need to download the app again; the update should occur automatically. 

Enhanced Sound Quality

Apart from standard bug corrections, the most noticeable change for users will be the enhanced audio performance. Previously, the audio quality of animations produced by Android tablets suffered from a noticeable amount of sound interference. 

"Before, though audio interference typically remained slight enough so that all voices during animations could be well-heard, the user experience may have been disrupted by the bad sound quality," said Kaio Soares, AniMoby's head Android developer. "With the latest version, sound quality is at a more optimal level, which should definitely lead to a better experience for the user."

Sharing Capabilities

AniMoby also enhanced social media sharing capabilities. AniMoby users can now share their projects to Facebook from within the app. 

This sharing process is simple; while working on an AniMoby project, users must click on the share icon at the top left hand corner of the screen (shown below) and choose the option to publish on Facebook. 

At this point, a prompt will appear that provides two options - to publish the AniMoby file on Facebook as a project or as an image. 

Sharing as a Project

Publishing on Facebook as a project will place on the newsfeed a small photo, short description of the project, and link to the AniMoby website to view the complete project. This is preferable for projects that include multiple slides or recorded animations, as these types of projects cannot be viewed in their entirety on Facebook - thus sharing simply the link is the best option.

Below is an example of an AniMoby file published on the Facebook newsfeed as a project:

Sharing as an Image

When publishing as an image, the AniMoby project will appear on the Facebook newsfeed in large photo format without a link. This is the best option for sharing AniMoby projects that include just one slide. 

Below is an example of a project posted as an image. Notice the large photo, which requires no link to the AniMoby website to view in-full:

Import Options

In addition to these new options, users can now import PDFs from their Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive accounts, and images can be imported from the Google Drive.

All of the updates mentioned are for the version of AniMoby compatible for Android Tablets. However, AniMoby is also available for iPads and iPhones. Click on the links to download.

Stayed tuned to the blog, as more AniMoby updates are planned for the days to come...

AniMoby Widely Used Among "Flipped" Educators

The interactive whiteboard app AniMoby has grown to become one of the most relied-on technology tools for teachers practicing flipped education methods.

A sizable number of websites have already lauded AniMoby for its benefits to a flipped learning environment, and AniMoby has recently seen an increase in the number of lessons its users are creating for outside the classroom purposes. 

"AniMoby really makes class flipping easy, as it gives teachers a platform to make video lessons nearly effortlessly," said Fernando Koyanagi, CEO of Appsis Tecnologia, the founders of AniMoby. "With no rendering time and quick uploading time, these lessons are also very easy for students to view."

One of the most popular education trends in the past few years is the flipped method; a learning style that "flips" conventional classroom practices. The method uses the word "flip" in its title because the traditional format is flipped - what was considered homework before is accomplished in the classroom with help from the teacher, and typical class lessons are now viewed at home, with help from programs such as AniMoby.

When compared to conventional pedalogical formats, many educators claim the flipped method is a more effective teaching strategy that results in both higher test scores and course passing rates. 

AniMoby (for iPads, Android tablets, and iPhones) is "flip-friendly" due to its ability to create recorded animations with use of voice and design (paint, draw, text, photo insertion, etc.) features simultaneously. Teachers can use these features to create lessons that can be saved on the "cloud" and viewed on AniMoby's website anytime/anywhere from any device with internet.

"With the AniMoby app, teachers can also import Powerpoint presentations or create their own slideshows within the app - and add voice to these presentations, which is great for sending over the web when a live meeting cannot take place," added Koyanagi. "Teachers and students can also communicate within the application through use of our comment section, much like the comment section featured in the space below a video on Facebook or YouTube."

Using AniMoby for iPad or an Android tablet, if a student does not understand the material shown on an AniMoby-produced class lesson, they can record an animation with their question and attach it to the original file produced by the teacher. The student can send the file back to the teacher, giving the teacher the opportunity to record and attach their answer.

"We call this the question-and-answer feature, and we made it possible to make learning that occurs outside of school a more effective process," said Koyanagi. "But it has proven to fit perfectly with the aim of class flipping."

To view two examples of flipped lessons performed with the AniMoby app, click on the links below. 

Flipped science lesson using AniMoby. 

Flipped math lesson using AniMoby. 

AniMoby Introduces New Screen Capture Tool

The makers of AniMoby for iPads, iPhones, and Android Tablets recently developed and released a new, free screen-capturing tool for Windows operating systems. 

The tool, called AniMoby SC, simplifies the screen-capturing process for Windows users by enabling them to grab/save selected parts of the screen from just a simple stroke of the keyboard.

AniMoby SC is a great tool for those who use the AniMoby app on their tablets or smartphones, as it allows for the easy capture of images from the screen that later can be used in AniMoby-created lessons, projects, and tutorials.

A quick tutorial on how to use AniMoby SC is below:

1.) Go to the website www.animoby.com

2). Click onto install on Windows (the icon is in the red circle in the screen shot above) and select your destination folder. In this tutorial, we used Dropbox, so AniMoby SC is saved within the folder entitled Dropbox. Within this folder, you can find the AniMoby SC folder - as seen below. 

3.) An icon was created on your desktop:

4.) When opening Animoby SC, you can either use it in its original mode by clicking OK or you can set new preferences, including your own shortcut commands, if you desire.

5.) Once a notification appears indicating it’s active, you can start using it.

6.) To take a screenshot, simply type the desired commands that are described below. If you only want to capture a certain part of the screen, enter the Ctrl + Shift + 2 command and wait until the cursor turns into a cross. Click and drag selecting the desired area. When you release, the screen capture is automatically saved in the destination folder you set.

7.) To capture the entire screen, type Ctrl + Shift + 3 command and the content will be automatically saved to the destination folder set.

8.) There is another command that allows you to capture a certain part of the screen (Ctrl + Shift + 4), but it turns into a window and allows you to save in a different folder of your choice, if you prefer.

9.) After capturing all the screens, import them from the Dropbox to Animoby iPad and/or Animoby iPhone and create your project. Have fun!

Social Networking: Brazilian Style (woot woot!)

A passion for living life in the moment and enthusiastically sharing experiences - this is the Brazilian way.

Made in Brazil, AniMoby for iPhone combines elements of storytelling and image-sharing to make sharing more interactive, more fun... and well, more Brazilian.

AniMoby for iPhone functions as a social network and features a newsfeed that is designed for users to post and share images, much like that of Instagram. But unlike other social networks and image-sharing sites, with AniMoby for iPhone, users can add voice and design tools to make their photos more interactive.

The app is now being offered for free in the iTunes App Store.

"People can use photos and voice together to become storytellers about moments in their life," said Matheus Ribeiro, AniMoby for iPhone lead programmer. "Social media is all about sharing our moments, from the frivolous to our most important milestones, and AniMoby for iPhone specializes in making this easier and more enjoyable.

"For instance, if you are on vacation at the beach and come across a beautiful landscape, AniMoby for iPhone allows you to not only take the picture, but talk about the experience, the environment, the story behind it," Ribeiro added. "No other social network or image-sharing tool offers this like AniMoby does."

AniMoby for iPhone allows users to follow eachother, and "Like" or "Dislike" and comment on projects, similar to other popular social network sites.

After receiving more than 30,000 downloads of their interactive whiteboard versions for iPads/Android tablets, the makers of AniMoby decided it was time to release a version for iPhones. Though the focus of AniMoby for iPhone has shifted to entertainment, the app still can be used for educational purposes to produce and view high-quality lessons - much like its predecessor for tablets.

Also, AniMoby projects made on a tablet can be viewed on AniMoby for iPhone. And like AniMoby for tablets, projects made using AniMoby for iPhone can be published on the AniMoby website where all internet users can view from any computer or mobile device.

Click here to download AniMoby for iPhone for free in the Apple iTunes Store.