Merge branch 'master' of git://dev.laptop.org/sugar

configure.ac

@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ AC_SUBST(GNOMEPYTHONEXTRAS_DEFSDIR)
 PYGTK_DEFSDIR=`$PKG_CONFIG --variable=defsdir pygtk-2.0`
 AC_SUBST(PYGTK_DEFSDIR)
 
+PKG_CHECK_MODULES(PYCAIRO, pycairo)
+
 #
 # Setup GETTEXT
 #

lib/python/Makefile.am

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 INCLUDES =				\
 	$(PYTHON_INCLUDES)		\
 	$(PYGTK_CFLAGS)			\
+	$(PYCAIRO_CFLAGS)			\
 	$(LIB_CFLAGS)			\
 	-I $(top_srcdir)/lib/src
 
@@ -11,6 +12,7 @@ pkgpyexec_LTLIBRARIES = _sugar.la
 _sugar_la_LDFLAGS = -module -avoid-version -R$(MOZILLA_HOME)
 _sugar_la_LIBADD =					\
 	$(LIB_LIBS)					\
+	$(PYCAIRO_LIBS)					\
 	$(top_builddir)/lib/src/libsugarprivate.la
 
 _sugar_la_SOURCES = 		\

lib/python/_sugar.defs

@@ -247,6 +247,15 @@
     '("GdkPixbuf*" "pixbuf")
   )
 )
+
+(define-function cairo_surface_from_gdk_pixbuf
+  (c-name "sugar_cairo_surface_from_gdk_pixbuf")
+  (return-type "cairo_surface_t*")
+  (parameters
+    '("GdkPixbuf*" "pixbuf")
+  )
+)
+
 ;; Enumerations and flags ...
 
 

lib/python/_sugar.override

@@ -13,9 +13,11 @@ headers
 #include "sugar-download.h"
 #include "sugar-audio-manager.h"
 
+#include "pycairo.h"
 #include <pygtk/pygtk.h>
 #include <glib.h>
 
+extern Pycairo_CAPI_t *Pycairo_CAPI;
 
 %%
 modulename gecko
@@ -159,3 +161,23 @@ _wrap_sugar_hippo_canvas_image_set_image_from_gdk_pixbuf(PyGObject *self, PyObje
     return Py_None;
 }
 %%
+override sugar_cairo_surface_from_gdk_pixbuf kwargs
+static PyObject*
+_wrap_sugar_cairo_surface_from_gdk_pixbuf(PyGObject *self, PyObject *args, PyObject *kwargs)
+{
+    static char *kwlist[] = { "pixbuf", NULL };
+    PyGObject *child;
+    cairo_surface_t *surface;
+
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwargs,"O!:sugar.cairo_surface_from_gdk_pixbuf", kwlist, &PyGdkPixbuf_Type, &child))
+        return NULL;
+
+    surface = _cairo_surface_from_pixbuf(GDK_PIXBUF (child->obj));
+	if (surface == NULL) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_RuntimeError, "pixbuf could not be converted");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    return PycairoSurface_FromSurface(surface, NULL);
+}
+%%

lib/python/_sugarmodule.c

@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
 /* include this first, before NO_IMPORT_PYGOBJECT is defined */
 #include <pygobject.h>
 
+#include <pycairo.h>
+Pycairo_CAPI_t *Pycairo_CAPI;
+
 void py_sugar_register_classes (PyObject *d);
 
 extern PyMethodDef py_sugar_functions[];
@@ -16,6 +19,8 @@ init_sugar(void)
 
     init_pygobject ();
 
+    Pycairo_IMPORT;
+
     m = Py_InitModule ("_sugar", py_sugar_functions);
     d = PyModule_GetDict (m);
 

shell/model/homeactivity.py

@@ -14,23 +14,73 @@
 # along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 # Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
 
+import time
+import gobject
+import logging
+
 from sugar.presence import PresenceService
 from sugar.activity import Activity
 from sugar import profile
 
-class HomeActivity:
-    def __init__(self, registry, window):
+class HomeActivity(gobject.GObject):
+    __gsignals__ = {
+        'launch-timeout':          (gobject.SIGNAL_RUN_FIRST,
+                                    gobject.TYPE_NONE, 
+                                   ([])),
+    }
+
+    def __init__(self, bundle, activity_id):
+        gobject.GObject.__init__(self)
+        self._window = None
+        self._xid = None
+        self._service = None
+        self._id = activity_id
+        self._type = bundle.get_service_name()
+        self._icon_name = bundle.get_icon()
+
+        self._launch_time = time.time()
+        self._launched = False
+        self._launch_timeout_id = gobject.timeout_add(10000, self._launch_timeout_cb)
+
+        logging.debug("Activity %s (%s) launching..." % (self._id, self._type))
+
+    def __del__(self):
+        gobject.source_remove(self._launch_timeout_id)
+        self._launch_timeout_id = 0
+
+    def _launch_timeout_cb(self, user_data=None):
+        logging.debug("Activity %s (%s) launch timed out" % (self._id, self._type))
+        self._launch_timeout_id = 0
+        self.emit('launch-timeout')
+        return False
+
+    def set_window(self, window):
+        """An activity is 'launched' once we get its window."""
+        logging.debug("Activity %s (%s) finished launching" % (self._id, self._type))
+        self._launched = True
+        gobject.source_remove(self._launch_timeout_id)
+        self._launch_timeout_id = 0
+
+        if self._window or self._xid:
+            raise RuntimeError("Activity is already launched!")
+        if not window:
+            raise ValueError("window must be valid")
+
         self._window = window
         self._xid = window.get_xid()
-
         self._service = Activity.get_service(window.get_xid())
-        self._id = self._service.get_id()
-        self._type = self._service.get_type()
 
-        info = registry.get_bundle(self._type)
-        self._icon_name = info.get_icon()
+        # verify id and type details
+        act_id = self._service.get_id()
+        if act_id != self._id:
+            raise RuntimeError("Activity's real ID (%s) didn't match expected (%s)." % (act_id, self._id))
+        act_type = self._service.get_type()
+        if act_type != self._type:
+            raise RuntimeError("Activity's real type (%s) didn't match expected (%s)." % (act_type, self._type))
 
     def get_title(self):
+        if not self._launched:
+            raise RuntimeError("Activity is still launching.")
         return self._window.get_name()
 
     def get_icon_name(self):
@@ -47,13 +97,25 @@ class HomeActivity:
         return self._id
 
     def get_xid(self):
+        if not self._launched:
+            raise RuntimeError("Activity is still launching.")
         return self._xid
 
     def get_window(self):
+        if not self._launched:
+            raise RuntimeError("Activity is still launching.")
         return self._window
 
     def get_type(self):
         return self._type
 
     def get_shared(self):
+        if not self._launched:
+            raise RuntimeError("Activity is still launching.")
         return self._service.get_shared()
+
+    def get_launch_time(self):
+        return self._launch_time
+
+    def get_launched(self):
+        return self._launched

shell/model/homemodel.py

@@ -20,10 +20,14 @@ import gobject
 import wnck
 
 from model.homeactivity import HomeActivity
+from sugar.activity import Activity
 
 class HomeModel(gobject.GObject):
 
     __gsignals__ = {
+        'activity-launched':       (gobject.SIGNAL_RUN_FIRST,
+                                    gobject.TYPE_NONE, 
+                                   ([gobject.TYPE_PYOBJECT])),
         'activity-added':          (gobject.SIGNAL_RUN_FIRST,
                                     gobject.TYPE_NONE, 
                                    ([gobject.TYPE_PYOBJECT])),
@@ -68,6 +72,12 @@ class HomeModel(gobject.GObject):
         if window.get_window_type() == wnck.WINDOW_NORMAL:
             self._remove_activity(window.get_xid())
 
+    def _get_activity_by_xid(self, xid):
+        for act in self._activities.values():
+            if act.get_xid() == xid:
+                return act
+        return None
+
     def _active_window_changed_cb(self, screen):
         window = screen.get_active_window()
         if window == None:
@@ -77,8 +87,13 @@ class HomeModel(gobject.GObject):
             return
 
         xid = window.get_xid()
-        if self._activities.has_key(xid):
-            self._current_activity = self._activities[xid]
+        act = self._get_activity_by_xid(window.get_xid())
+        if act:
+            if act.get_launched() == True:
+                self._current_activity = act
+            else:
+                self._current_activity = None
+                logging.error('Actiivty for window %d was not yet launched.' % xid)
         else:
             self._current_activity = None
             logging.error('Model for window %d does not exist.' % xid)
@@ -86,13 +101,57 @@ class HomeModel(gobject.GObject):
         self.emit('active-activity-changed', self._current_activity)
         
     def _add_activity(self, window):
-        activity = HomeActivity(self._bundle_registry, window)
-        self._activities[window.get_xid()] = activity
+        act_service = Activity.get_service(window.get_xid())
+        act_id = act_service.get_id()
+
+        activity = None
+        if self._activities.has_key(act_id):
+            activity = self._activities[act_id]
+        else:
+            # activity got lost, took longer to launch than we allow,
+            # or it was launched by something other than the shell
+            act_type = act_service.get_type()
+            bundle = self._bundle_registry.get_bundle(act_type)
+            if not bundle:
+                raise RuntimeError("No bundle for activity type '%s'." % act_type)
+                return
+            activity = HomeActivity(bundle, act_id)
+            self._activities[act_id] = activity
+
+        activity.set_window(window)
         self.emit('activity-added', activity)
 
+    def _internal_remove_activity(self, activity):
+        self.emit('activity-removed', activity)
+        act_id = activity.get_id()
+        del self._activities[act_id]
+        
     def _remove_activity(self, xid):
-        if self._activities.has_key(xid):
-            self.emit('activity-removed', self._activities[xid])
-            del self._activities[xid]
+        activity = self._get_activity_by_xid(xid)
+        if activity:
+            self._internal_remove_activity(activity)
         else:
             logging.error('Model for window %d does not exist.' % xid)
+
+    def _activity_launch_timeout_cb(self, activity):
+        act_id = activity.get_id()
+        if not act_id in self._activities.keys():
+            return
+        self._internal_remove_activity(activity)
+
+    def notify_activity_launch(self, activity_id, service_name):
+        bundle = self._bundle_registry.get_bundle(service_name)
+        if not bundle:
+            raise ValueError("Activity service name '%s' was not found in the bundle registry." % service_name)
+        activity = HomeActivity(bundle, activity_id)
+        activity.connect('launch-timeout', self._activity_launch_timeout_cb)
+        self._activities[activity_id] = activity
+        self.emit('activity-launched', activity)
+
+    def notify_activity_launch_failed(self, activity_id):
+        if self._activities.has_key(activity_id):
+            activity = self._activities[activity_id]
+            logging.debug("Activity %s (%s) launch failed" % (activity_id, activity.get_type()))
+            self._internal_remove_activity(activity)
+        else:
+            logging.error('Model for activity id %s does not exist.' % activity_id)

shell/sugar-activity

@@ -18,9 +18,18 @@
 
 import sys
 import os
+import gobject
 
 from sugar.activity import ActivityFactory
 from sugar import env
+from sugar import util
+
+def _success_cb(handler, activity, loop):
+    activity.start(util.unique_id())
+    loop.quit()
+
+def _error_cb(handler, err, loop):
+    loop.quit()
 
 ppath = env.get_profile_path()
 bus_file = os.path.join(ppath, "session_bus_address")
@@ -29,5 +38,10 @@ bus_name = f.read()
 f.close()
 os.environ['DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS'] = bus_name
 
-activity = ActivityFactory.create(sys.argv[1])
-activity.start()
+loop = gobject.MainLoop()
+
+handler = ActivityFactory.create(sys.argv[1])
+handler.connect('success', _success_cb, loop)
+handler.connect('error', _error_cb, loop)
+
+loop.run()

shell/view/Shell.py

@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ class Shell(gobject.GObject):
         self._frame = Frame(self)
         self._frame.show_and_hide(3)
 
+        self._pservice = PresenceService.get_instance()
+
         #self.start_activity('org.laptop.JournalActivity')
 
     def _handle_camera_key(self):
@@ -189,40 +191,94 @@ class Shell(gobject.GObject):
     def get_model(self):
         return self._model
 
-    def join_activity(self, bundle_id, activity_id):
-        pservice = PresenceService.get_instance()
+    def _join_success_cb(self, handler, activity, activity_ps, activity_id, activity_type):
+        logging.debug("Joining activity %s (%s)" % (activity_id, activity_type))
+        activity.join(activity_ps.object_path())
 
+    def _join_error_cb(self, handler, err, home_model, activity_id, activity_type):
+        logging.error("Couldn't launch activity %s (%s):\n%s" % (activity_id, activity_type, err))
+        home_mode.notify_activity_launch_failed(activity_id)
+
+    def join_activity(self, bundle_id, activity_id):
         activity = self.get_activity(activity_id)
         if activity:
             activity.present()
-        else:
-            activity_ps = pservice.get_activity(activity_id)
-
-            if activity_ps:
-                # Get the service name for this activity, if
-                # we have a bundle on the system capable of handling
-                # this activity type
-                breg = self._model.get_bundle_registry()
-                bundle = breg.find_by_default_type(bundle_id)
-                if bundle:
-                    serv_name = bundle.get_service_name()
-                    try:
-                        activity = ActivityFactory.create(serv_name)
-                    except DBusException, e:
-                        logging.error("Couldn't launch activity %s:\n%s" % (serv_name, e))
-                    else:
-                        logging.debug("Joining activity type %s id %s" % (serv_name, activity_id))
-                        activity.join(activity_ps.object_path())
-                else:
-                    logging.error("Couldn't find activity for type %s" % bundle_id)
-            else:
-                logging.error('Cannot start activity.')
+            return
+
+        activity_ps = self._pservice.get_activity(activity_id)
+        if not activity_ps:
+            logging.error("Couldn't find shared activity for %s" % activity_id)
+            return
+
+        # Get the service name for this activity, if
+        # we have a bundle on the system capable of handling
+        # this activity type
+        breg = self._model.get_bundle_registry()
+        bundle = breg.find_by_default_type(bundle_id)
+        if not bundle:
+            logging.error("Couldn't find activity for type %s" % bundle_id)
+            return
+
+        act_type = bundle.get_service_name()
+        home_model = self._model.get_home()
+        home_model.notify_activity_launch(activity_id, act_type)
+
+        handler = ActivityFactory.create(act_type)
+        handler.connect('success', self._join_success_cb, activity_ps, activity_id, act_type)
+        handler.connect('error', self._join_error_cb, home_model, activity_id, act_type)
+
+    def _find_unique_activity_id(self):
+        # create a new unique activity ID
+        i = 0
+        act_id = None
+        while i < 10:
+            act_id = sugar.util.unique_id()
+            i += 1
+
+            # check through existing activities
+            found = False
+            for xid, act_host in self._hosts.items():
+                if act_host.get_id() == act_id:
+                    found = True
+                    break
+            if found:
+                act_id = None
+                continue
+
+            # check through network activities
+            activities = self._pservice.get_activities()
+            for act in activities:
+                if act_id == act.get_id():
+                    found = True
+                    break
+            if found:
+                act_id = None
+                continue
+
+        return act_id
+
+    def _start_success_cb(self, handler, activity, activity_id, activity_type):
+        logging.debug("Started activity %s (%s)" % (activity_id, activity_type))
+        activity.start(activity_id)
+
+    def _start_error_cb(self, handler, err, home_model, activity_id, activity_type):
+        logging.error("Couldn't launch activity %s (%s):\n%s" % (activity_id, activity_type, err))
+        home_mode.notify_activity_launch_failed(activity_id)
 
     def start_activity(self, activity_type):
         logging.debug('Shell.start_activity')
-        activity = ActivityFactory.create(activity_type)
-        activity.start()
-        return activity
+        act_id = self._find_unique_activity_id()
+        if not act_id:
+            logging.error("Couldn't find available activity ID.")
+            return None
+
+        home_model = self._model.get_home()
+        home_model.notify_activity_launch(act_id, activity_type)
+
+        logging.debug("Shell.start_activity will start %s (%s)" % (act_id, activity_type))
+        handler = ActivityFactory.create(activity_type)
+        handler.connect('success', self._start_success_cb, act_id, activity_type)
+        handler.connect('error', self._start_error_cb, home_model, act_id, activity_type)
 
     def set_zoom_level(self, level):
         if level == sugar.ZOOM_ACTIVITY:

shell/view/clipboardicon.py

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from sugar.graphics.menuicon import MenuIcon
 from view.clipboardmenu import ClipboardMenu
 from sugar.activity import ActivityFactory
 from sugar.clipboard import clipboardservice
+from sugar import util
 
 class ClipboardIcon(MenuIcon):
 
@@ -39,22 +40,32 @@ class ClipboardIcon(MenuIcon):
         else:
             return None
 
+    def _activity_create_success_cb(self, handler, activity):
+        activity.start(util.unique_id())
+        activity.execute("open_document", [self._object_id])
+
+    def _activity_create_error_cb(self, handler, err):
+        pass
+
     def _icon_activated_cb(self, icon):
-        if self._percent == 100:
-            cb_service = clipboardservice.get_instance()
-            
-            (name, percent, icon, preview, format_types) =  \
-                cb_service.get_object(self._object_id)
+        if self._percent < 100:
+            return
 
-            if format_types:
-                logging.debug("_icon_activated_cb: " + self._object_id)
-    
-                activity_id = self._get_activity_for_mime_type(format_types[0])
-                
-                if activity_id:
-                    activity = ActivityFactory.create(activity_id)
-                    activity.start()
-                    activity.execute("open_document", [self._object_id])
+        cb_service = clipboardservice.get_instance()        
+        (name, percent, icon, preview, format_types) =  \
+            cb_service.get_object(self._object_id)
+        if not format_types:
+            return
+
+        logging.debug("_icon_activated_cb: " + self._object_id)
+        activity_type = self._get_activity_for_mime_type(format_types[0])        
+        if not activity_type:
+            return
+
+        # Launch the activity to handle this item
+        handler = ActivityFactory.create(activity_type)
+        handler.connect('success', self._activity_create_success_cb)
+        handler.connect('error', self._activity_create_error_cb)
                 
     def _popup_action_cb(self, popup, action):
         self.popdown()

shell/view/home/activitiesdonut.py

@@ -16,10 +16,44 @@
 
 import hippo
 import math
+import gobject
 
 from sugar.graphics.canvasicon import CanvasIcon
 from sugar.graphics import style
 
+class ActivityIcon(CanvasIcon):
+    def __init__(self, activity):
+        icon_name = activity.get_icon_name()
+        icon_color = activity.get_icon_color()
+        CanvasIcon.__init__(self, icon_name=icon_name, color=icon_color)
+        style.apply_stylesheet(self, 'ring.ActivityIcon')
+
+        self._activity = activity
+        self._pulse_id = 0
+        self._launched = False
+
+        self._pulse_id = gobject.timeout_add(200, self._pulse_cb)
+
+    def __del__(self):
+        if self._pulse_id > 0:
+            gobject.source_remove(self._pulse_id)
+
+    def _pulse_cb(self):
+        pass
+
+    def set_launched(self):
+        if self._launched:
+            return
+        self._launched = True
+        gobject.source_remove(self._pulse_id)
+        self._pulse_id = 0
+
+    def get_launched(self):
+        return self._launched
+
+    def get_activity(self):
+        return self._activity
+
 class ActivitiesDonut(hippo.CanvasBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
     __gtype_name__ = 'SugarActivitiesDonut'
     def __init__(self, shell, **kwargs):
@@ -29,34 +63,46 @@ class ActivitiesDonut(hippo.CanvasBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
         self._shell = shell
 
         self._model = shell.get_model().get_home()
+        self._model.connect('activity-launched', self._activity_launched_cb)
         self._model.connect('activity-added', self._activity_added_cb)
-        self._model.connect('activity-removed', self._activity_removed_cb) 
+        self._model.connect('activity-removed', self._activity_removed_cb)
 
-    def _activity_added_cb(self, model, activity):
+    def _activity_launched_cb(self, model, activity):
         self._add_activity(activity)
 
+    def _activity_added_cb(self, model, activity):
+        # Mark the activity as launched
+        act_id = activity.get_id()
+        if not self._activities.has_key(act_id):
+            return
+        icon = self._activities[act_id]
+        icon.set_launched()
+
     def _activity_removed_cb(self, model, activity):
         self._remove_activity(activity)
     
     def _remove_activity(self, activity):
-        icon = self._activities[activity.get_id()]
+        act_id = activity.get_id()
+        if not self._activities.has_key(act_id):
+            return
+        icon = self._activities[act_id]
         self.remove(icon)
-        del self._activities[activity.get_id()]
+        del self._activities[act_id]
 
     def _add_activity(self, activity):
-        icon_name = activity.get_icon_name()
-        icon_color = activity.get_icon_color()
-
-        icon = CanvasIcon(icon_name=icon_name, color=icon_color)
-        style.apply_stylesheet(icon, 'ring.ActivityIcon')
-        icon.connect('activated', self._activity_icon_clicked_cb, activity)
+        icon = ActivityIcon(activity)
+        icon.connect('activated', self._activity_icon_clicked_cb)
         self.append(icon, hippo.PACK_FIXED)
 
         self._activities[activity.get_id()] = icon
 
         self.emit_paint_needed(0, 0, -1, -1)
 
-    def _activity_icon_clicked_cb(self, item, activity):
+    def _activity_icon_clicked_cb(self, icon):
+        activity = icon.get_activity()
+        if not icon.get_launched():
+            return
+
         activity_host = self._shell.get_activity(activity.get_id())
         if activity_host:
             activity_host.present()

sugar/activity/Activity.py

@@ -62,9 +62,9 @@ class ActivityDbusService(dbus.service.Object):
         self._pservice = PresenceService.get_instance()       
 
     @dbus.service.method(ACTIVITY_INTERFACE)
-    def start(self):
-        """Start the activity."""
-        self._activity.start()
+    def start(self, activity_id):
+        """Start the activity in unshared mode."""
+        self._activity.start(activity_id)
 
     @dbus.service.method(ACTIVITY_INTERFACE)
     def join(self, activity_ps_path):
@@ -120,13 +120,13 @@ class Activity(gtk.Window):
 
         self._bus = ActivityDbusService(self)
 
-    def start(self):
+    def start(self, activity_id):
         """Start the activity."""
         if self._activity_id != None:
             logging.warning('The activity has been already started.')
             return
 
-        self._activity_id = sugar.util.unique_id()
+        self._activity_id = activity_id
 
         #ds = datastore.get_instance()
         #self._journal_object = ds.create('', {}, self._activity_id)
@@ -162,9 +162,9 @@ class Activity(gtk.Window):
         if self._activity_id != None:
             logging.warning('The activity has been already started.')
             return
+        self._activity_id = activity_ps.get_id()
 
         self._shared = True
-        self._activity_id = activity_ps.get_id()
 
         # Publish the default service, it's a copy of
         # one of those we found on the network.

sugar/activity/ActivityFactory.py

@@ -76,24 +76,43 @@ class ActivityFactory(dbus.service.Object):
         if len(self._activities) == 0:
             gtk.main_quit()
 
-def create(activity_name):
-    """Create a new activity from his name."""
-    bus = dbus.SessionBus()
+class ActivityCreationHandler(gobject.GObject):
+
+    __gsignals__ = {
+        'error':       (gobject.SIGNAL_RUN_FIRST,
+                        gobject.TYPE_NONE, 
+                       ([gobject.TYPE_PYOBJECT])),
+        'success':     (gobject.SIGNAL_RUN_FIRST,
+                        gobject.TYPE_NONE, 
+                       ([gobject.TYPE_PYOBJECT]))
+    }
 
-    factory_name = activity_name
-    factory_path = get_path(factory_name) 
+    def __init__(self, activity_name):
+        gobject.GObject.__init__(self)
 
-    proxy_obj = bus.get_object(factory_name, factory_path)
-    factory = dbus.Interface(proxy_obj, "com.redhat.Sugar.ActivityFactory")
+        bus = dbus.SessionBus()
+        factory_name = activity_name
+        factory_path = get_path(factory_name) 
 
-    xid = factory.create()
+        proxy_obj = bus.get_object(factory_name, factory_path)
+        factory = dbus.Interface(proxy_obj, "com.redhat.Sugar.ActivityFactory")
 
-    bus = dbus.SessionBus()
-    proxy_obj = bus.get_object(Activity.get_service_name(xid),
-                               Activity.get_object_path(xid))
-    activity = dbus.Interface(proxy_obj, Activity.ACTIVITY_INTERFACE)
+        factory.create(reply_handler=self._reply_handler, error_handler=self._error_handler)
 
-    return activity
+    def _reply_handler(self, xid):
+        bus = dbus.SessionBus()
+        proxy_obj = bus.get_object(Activity.get_service_name(xid),
+                                    Activity.get_object_path(xid))
+        activity = dbus.Interface(proxy_obj, Activity.ACTIVITY_INTERFACE)
+        self.emit('success', activity)
+
+    def _error_handler(self, err):
+        logging.debug("Couldn't create activity: %s" % err)
+        self.emit('error', err)
+
+def create(activity_name):
+    """Create a new activity from its name."""
+    return ActivityCreationHandler(activity_name)
 
 def start_factory(activity_class, bundle_path):
     """Start the activity factory."""