Introduction to Google Android Software Platform

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Ron Fredericks writes: LectureMaker was on scene filming Marko Gargenta deliver his Introduction to Google’s Android Software Platform during the September 3’rd regular meeting of the Software Development Forum (SDForum) Mobile Internet Special Interest Group meeting. Peter Lam was the host representing the Software Development Forum for this meeting, while Peter’s co-host Joe Jasin was traveling. The site for the event was located at the Orrick Law Office in Menlo Park with very friendly facilitators and signage to help a new visitor like me easily locate the meeting within the three building complex.

Marko is an industry expert in Android, a technical and business trainer for Android and other open-source technologies, co-author of PHP and MySQL by Example published by Prentice Hall, leader of the San Francisco Android User Group, founder of a leading technical training company called Marakana, and more…

 The presentation covers both a business and developer perspective with several practical examples and live demonstrations.  See the list of quesitons and main topics represented as red navigation dots embedded in the video, as well as a time line near the end of this post.

 

Marko Gargenta Presents Android Introduction – the video

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Email this video Link to this video Embed this video Video Player support page Two Software Books by Marko Gargenta

Here is a brief summary of what you can learn from watching the video:

Handset manufacturers and mobile operators:

• Learn about the Open Handset Alliance
• Learn how to build a rich developer ecosystem with open-source components on their handsets based on Android software platforms
• Learn more about the choice between creating your own software application store vs. using the Android Market store managed by Google
• Take advantage of the software created for a wide variety of other handsets using the democratic nature of all Android software apps created equal

New opportunities for other device (non-handset) manufacturers:

• Learn about some early adopter opportunities in using the Android platform instead of more traditional real-time operating systems or even other embedded Linux code bases such as Photocopy machines and Netbooks

Developers:

• Learn about the technical features and the new business markets created by Google’s Android software platform
• Learn how to get and use the Eclipse desktop tools (on host) and Android handset platform (on target) for free
• Learn how to port existing applications and software components to Android
• Learn about the potential time-to-market advantages using the Android platform, and the open marketplace it creates
• Learn how to evaluate some key differences between iPhone, Android platform handsets, fragmented J2ME handsets, and Windows mobile devices
• Learn about the value in using Google extensions to the Android software platform and the limitations they may create: more features vs. a smaller marketplace
• Learn how to optimize your coding workflow while internationalizing your applications from one language to multiple languages using regional settings

Handset users:

• Learn more about the growing Android software marketplace and what platform features to look for on your next smartphone
• Learn about the three types of Android license that may ship with a phone
• Learn what a “long click” is and how to use it to customize widgets on your phone
• Learn about longer battery life and other valuable new features Android’s background services bring to the software application marketplace

Specific topics:

• Dalvik Java Virtual Machine
• Memory management: stack vs. registry
• One of the few platforms that can run services in the background (multi-tasking apps)
• Battery performance
• Security
• Internet
• Networking
• Web browsers based on WebKit
• How developers emulate the on-phone camera and other on-board sensors
• Developing an application with content, resources, and code
• Easier access to GPS (global positioning services)
• SQL database
• Hidden costs
• Software availability differences between various software platforms – why iPhone and Android both have a significant advantage in the United States over other handset software platforms
• What new innovations does Android platform bring to the handset

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Deep-Pixel Event Photograph

Ron Fredericks is not only a videographer but he also brings his 21 megapixel digital camera with a combination of wide-angle and telephoto florite lenses. The snapshot presented here shows Ron operating his portable broadcast video studio while filming the event from several angles and audio sources.

Marko Gargenta Presents – the snapshot

Here is a time line for the video presentation

Have you noticed all those red naviagtion dots embedded into LectureMaker’s video player? These dots allow a viewer to quickly get a sense of what content is included in the video. “I hate to be asked to watch a video – especially a long video – with no idea of whether I should take the time to watch it or note” – Ron Fredericks, designer of LectureMaker’s video player.  With these navigation dots, the nature of “Watch my video” has really changed!

Here is a list of navigation dots embedded into this video.  This may help you quickly find content you may be interested in watching from this video.

Elapsed Time	Percent Played	Description
0	0%	Introduction by Peter Lam: 1) SDForum, 2) Marko Gargenta of Marakana, and 3) Ron Fredericks of LectureMaker
3:44	4.75%	Estimates about the size and value of the Android developer community
5:09	6.55%	Marko Gargenta describes his history with Android
07:29	9.52%	Overview of tonight’s presentation
08:25	10.71%	The “big picture” aka the Android Software Stack
09:42	12.34%	How the Linux Kernel lead to the creation of the Open Handset Alliance
13:36	17.30%	Q: What is the Linux/Android SD Card file system?
15:24	19.59%	Overview of the Android market
16:30	20.99%	The ADB Shell
18:01	22.92%	Native Libraries
19:43	25.08%	Q: How can I port existing code to Android (i.e. Java Native Interface JNA, and the the Android Native Developers Kit NDK)?
21:52	27.81%	Q: Is development on Android restricted in some ways?
23:34	29.98%	Q: Can applications designed for one phone run on another phone?
24:41	31.40%	Q: What about malicious code?
25:58	33.03%	Q: Why are mobile operators moving toward Android?
29:20	37.31%	Android run-time platform
31:33	40.13%	Application framework
33:44	42.91%	Applications
34:13	43.52%	Demo 1 – starting up an emulator
37:55	48.23%	The technical background behind the Android marketplace advantage: “All apps are created equal”
39:18	49.99%	Q: What is the roadmap for Android?
40:14	51.18%	Q: What is a widget (Google search widget example)?
40:49	51.92%	Q: How is Android licensed?
43:56	55.88%	Demo 2 – create a new emulator and application using Eclipse
49:46	63.30%	Q: How do you write apps for multiple devices?
51:01	64.89%	Application components
53:19	67.82%	Q: Can an app be both a content provider and a content consumer?
56:35	71.91%	Q: What happens if two or more SMS messaging apps run at the same time?
58:29	74.39%	Services, and questions related to services
59:11	75.28%	Structure of Android projects
1:04:08	81.58%	Q: How does Android support multi-language apps?
1:08:09	86.69%	Memory management
1:09:51	88.85%	Inflating user interfaces from XML to Java
1:11:10	n/a	Security
1:11:19	90.71%	Summary
1:11:59	91.56%	Q: What are some of your favorite porting techniques?
1:12:43	92.50%	Q: Can you elaborate on Android power management?
1:13:38	93.66%	Q: Can an app subscribe to services?
1:13:52	n/a	Q: What is the difference between consumer and SDK widgets?
1:14:38	94.93%	Q: What are some caveats to look for in distributing an app?
1:15:52	96.50%	Q: Can you elaborate on Android’s file system?
1:16:42	97.56%	Q: When will Android support Adobe Flash apps?
1:16:59	n/a	Q: Can you elaborate on Android’s SD card?
1:17:29	98.56%	Q: How do you use the Eclipse DDMS tool?
1:18:17	99.63%	Credits