Google releases new Android Marshmallow sample apps: Direct Share, MidiSynth and MidiScope

Developers and hard core Android fans are likely keeping up with the Marshmallow sample apps Google has been releasing to the public. These applications are not really meant for consumers, as they do nothing but show how certain new features operate. They are really just dummy applications and mainly serve as a good way for app makers to understand how to improve their applications and support new elements.

Today the Android Developers Blog has posted an update about a trio of new sample apps the Search Giant has released. These include Android Direct Share, Android MidiSynth and Android MidiScope. What are these all about? Let’s find out!

Android Direct Share

Android’s sharing intents are great for sending any type of content to other apps, but sending this information to specific users may be a bit more challenging. Direct Share is a new feature which allows users to share things to more specific targets. Google showcases this by including specific contacts within other apps to the sharing intent.

By the way, this is simply a fake messaging app that serves as a vessel for this new capability. Nothing more. You do need to jump through a few hoops to check this new feature out, as well.

To enable Direct Share, apps need to implement a Service extending ChooserTargetService. Override the method onGetChooserTargets() and return a list of Direct Share options.

In your AndroidManifest.xml, add a meta-data tag in your Activity that receives the Intent. Specify android:name as android.service.chooser.chooser_target_service, and point the android:value to the Service.

Android MidiSynth

Android 6.0 is getting more MIDI-friendly. This specific sample demonstrates how to use the MIDI API to receive and play MIDI messages from connected keyboards. It can enumerate available devices, notify you wen MIDI devices are plugged in/out and demonstrate how MIDI messages are received/processed.

Android MidiScope

On the other hand, the MidiScope shows how the MIDI API received and processes signals coming from attached devices. It does not play them, but it will display these input instances in a log.