Chapter 1 Meet the Android

Goals & Objectives Understand the market for Android applications State the role of the Android device in the mobile market. Describe the features of the Android phone. Identify which languages are used in Android development. Describe the role of the Android Market in the mobile marketplace. Create an Android project using Eclipse. Explain the role of the Package Explorer. Specify the use of layout and widget controls in t he user interface. Execute an Android application on an emulator. Open a saved Android project in Eclipse.

Intro. Smartphones – mobile phone with advance computing ability and connectivity features.  Many different types of Operating Systems – iOS for iPhones, Google Android, Microsoft Phone 7, and Blackberry OS.  Android phone has become the sale leader with 50 million phones worldwide. ½ of the world devices run android. Operating System - (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. Apps - is a software application designed to run on Smartphone, tablet computers and other mobile devices.

Meet the Android  The Android phone platform is built on a free operating system created by a company called Android Inc.  In 2005, Google bought Android, Inc Open Source - is computer software that is available with source code: the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under an open-source license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.  Android is the first open-source technology platform for mobile devices. Open Handset Alliance – An open-source business alliance of 80 firms that develop open standards for mobile devices.

Open Source  The strength of open source is the ability to share their source code to be improved upon.  Open source Android software is free.  The Android open-source platform allows more freedom so people can collaborate and improve the source code.  Many phone manufactures install Android OS due to its open- source environment and the companies don’t have to pay license fees and royalties. This allow them to sell their devices cheaper.  Android has a large community of developers writing apps that extend the functionality of the device

Android Phone Device  Androisd phone devices are sold under a variety of names  EVO, DROID X, Galaxy, Echo, Optimus, Xperia, Cliq, Inspire, Thunderbolt, Atrix, Desire, Nexus, Infuse, Pyramid, and Revolution.  Nook from Barnes and Noble uses an Android OS

Features of the Android  The Android offers a wide variety of features that apps can use. Flash Support –Flash video plays within the Android Web Browser (iPhone does not support Flash) Power Management – Android identifies programs running in the background using memory and processor resources. You can close those apps to free up the phone’s processor memory, extending the battery power. Optimized Gaming – Android supports the use of gyroscope, gravity, barometric sensors, linear acceleration, and rotation vector, which provide game developers with highly sensitive and responsive. Onscreen Keyboard – The onscreen keyboard offers suggestions for spelling corrections as well as options for completing words you start typing. The onscreen keyboard also supports a voice-input mode. Wi-Fi Internet tethering – Android supports tethering, which allows a phone to be used as a wireless or word hot spot that other devices can use to connect to the Internet.

Features of the Android Multiple Language Support – Android supports multiple human languages. Front and rear-facing camera –Android phones can use either a front or rear-facing camera, allowing developers to create applications involving video calling. Voice-based recognition – Android recognizes voice actions for calling, texting and navigating with the phone. 3D Graphics – The interface can support 3D graphics for a 3D interactive game experience or 3D image rendering. Facial Recognition – Android provides this high-level feature for automatically identifying or verifying a person’s face from a digital image or a video frame.

Writing Android Apps  Java Language – An object-oriented programming language and a platform originated by Sun Microsystems.  Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) - is a programming paradigm using "objects" – usually instances of a class – consisting of data fields and methods together with their interactions – to design applications and computer programs.  Eclipse (IDE) – application development tool used to write programs.  XML – Extensible Markup language is used to assist in the layout of the Android emulator.

Android Emulator  The Android Emulator lets you design, develop, prototype, and test Android applications without a physical device.  The mouse is used to simulate a touch of the screen.  The emulator mimics almost every feature of a real Android handset except for the ability to place a voice call.  A running emulator can play video, audio, gaming animation, and store information.  Multiple emulators are available within the Android SDK

Android Naming System VersionNameRelease Date 1.0CupcakeApril First versionSept DonutSept ÉclairOct Froyo (Frozen Yogurt) May GingerbreadDec HoneycombFeb Ice cream sandwichMay Jelly Beans 2012

Getting Oriented with Market Deployment  Android Market – An online store that sells programs written for the Android platform.  Android market – provides registration services and certifies that the program meets minimum standards of reliability, efficiency, and performance. You must sign an agreement and pay a $25 fee.  If your app is free Android publishes your app at no cost.  There is a 70/30 split if you charge.

Apple iTunes App Store  Apple iTunes App Store charges $99 yearly registration fee.  iTunes have much more rigorous standards approval process.

Amazon Appstore  Amazon.com/appstore – online app store where Android Apps can be deployed and sold.  Amazon charges $99 annual developer fee.  Amazon pays developer 70% of the sale price  You can post apps for free