Android News

Google has been providing more ways to create Android Apps for the Android Market Place, it has released an NDK (Native Development Kit) for Android 1.5.

So far the Android applications has been running in the Dalvik VM (Virtual Machine), but some developers may find this very limited. By using this new NDK, content creators will have a few more and better options to create mobile Apps.

What is Android NDK?

The Android NDK provides tools that allow Android application developers to embed components that make use of native code in their Android applications.

Android applications run in the Dalvik virtual machine. The NDK allows developers to implement parts of their applications using native-code languages such as C and C++. This can provide benefits to certain classes of applications, in the form of reuse of existing code and in some cases increased speed.

The NDK provides:
A set of tools and build files used to generate native code libraries from C and C++ sources
A way to embed the corresponding native libraries into application package files (.apks) that can be deployed on Android devices
A set of native system headers and libraries that will be supported in all future versions of the Android platform, starting from Android 1.5
Documentation, samples, and tutorials

This release of the NDK supports the ARMv5TE machine instruction set and provides stable headers for libc (the C library), libm (the Math library), the JNI interface, and other libraries.

The NDK will not benefit most applications. As a developer, you will need to balance its benefits against its drawbacks; notably, using native code does not result in an automatic performance increase, but does always increase application complexity. Typical good candidates for the NDK are self-contained, CPU-intensive operations that don’t allocate much memory, such as signal processing, physics simulation, and so on. Simply re-coding a method to run in C usually does not result in a large performance increase. The NDK can, however, can be an effective way to reuse a large corpus of existing C/C++ code.

Please note that the NDK does not enable you to develop native-only applications. Android’s primary runtime remains the Dalvik virtual machine.

Contents of the NDK
Development tools

The NDK includes a set of cross-toolchains (compilers, linkers, etc..) that can generate native ARM binaries on Linux, OS X, and Windows (with Cygwin) platforms.

It provides a set of system headers for stable native APIs that are guaranteed to be supported in all later releases of the platform:
libc (C library) headers
libm (math library) headers
JNI interface headers
libz (Zlib compression) headers
liblog (Android logging) header
A Minimal set of headers for C++ support

The NDK also provides a build system that lets you work efficiently with your sources, without having to handle the toolchain/platform/CPU/ABI details. You create very short build files to describe which sources to compile and which Android application will use them — the build system compiles the sources and places the shared libraries directly in your application project.

More Details can be found Here

You can also Join Android NDK Help Forum Here

Download Google Android NDK:

For Windows Click Here (22500667 bytes)
For MAC OS X (Intel) Click Here (17215303 bytes)
For Linux x86 (32/64 bit) Click Here (16025885 bytes)

Taiwanese manufacturer HTC is on a roll with Android OS. HTC introduced the third Android based device by the name “HTC Hero”, on Wednesday. This is a touch screen phone with a new UI (user interface) design.
HTC Hero contains an anti fingerprint coating on its screen for smudge resistance and a Teflon coating on its external body.
HTC Hero is first Android based smart phone to support Adobe Flash, as described by Adobe Inc. HTC also announced that it will integrate the upcoming Flash Player v10 for smart phones in their next generation of mobile phones. Apple iPhone does not support Flash, while Palm has said the Palm Pre will be Flash friendly through firmware updates at the end of this year.
HTC Hero will allow users to add widgets to bring the information they want to the surface. Such as the twitter feeds, weather data, email or calendar app etc. The HERO will also have a profile feature called ‘Scenes’ that will let the users create different customized content profiles around specific functions or at specific times.
HTC Hero has an inbuilt universal search functionality that looks through emails, contact list and other information.
HTC Hero has a 3.2 inch display screen, GPS (Global Positioning System), digital compass, a 5-megapixel auto focus camera and expandable MicroSD memory slot to add extended storage.
The HTC Hero will be available in Europe in July 2009 and in Asia later in the summer. The North American version is expected later this year. So far the price of HTC Hero is not announced.

HTC Nippon Corporation (Tokyo) launched Japan’s first Android powered smartphone “HT-03A”. NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced that it will be released this summer.

“Google Mobile™” “HT-03A”, has a stylish body. The mobile platform is “Android” and it is the most advanced smart phone os. It has been optimized for running Google Maps™ and Google mobile services are easily available in this phone, new developments has been coming at “Android market” every day, and its easy to download a variety of applications which can be customized by yourself. Furthermore, it has wireless LAN capability, and operate in an advanced combination of trackball and Touch Screen to achieve better usability, and fun.

“Android” is a member of Open Handset Alliance (OHA), HT-03A is world’s first Android-smartphone. It is first product of its kind for the Japanese market based on its experience.

NTT’s DoCoMo Chief Executive Mr. Kiyohito Nagata told, this product is “to provide the most advanced mobile Internet services, It has a nice UI and advanced ease of use, and fun, comfortable and easy Internet access at any time and it’s Japan’s first android based mobile, We are very pleased that we are providing HT-03A.”

HTC Corporation CEO Peter Chou said, ” We are very proud to release this innovative technology in Japan by releasing Android based HT-03A in Japan as a best smart phone ever. By releasing HT-03A HTC made a considerable investment in the Japanese market. Everyone in Japan is very excited to be able to deliver more innovative and groundbreaking device. “Additionally, HTC Nippon President David said, “HTC launched HT-03A in Japan, in addition to the existing lineup we will provide abundant choices for everyone in Japan, I am delighted to meet customer needs.”

Features of the HT-03A
This is a Google Mobile service units

Specifically designed for using Google services. Enabling usability beyond traditional mobile services.
From the Android Market and download applications

Applications are being developed around the world, can be easily downloaded free choice and cost effective. Customize your own preferences, you can evolve.

Equipped with a trackball and Touch Screen.
Wireless LAN (802.11b / g)

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Bluetooth ® support

WORLD WING ® (3G + GSM) are also available abroad for the support. You can also use applications that use location information and map display and store your search, you can enjoy music wirelessly.
Convenient and easy to use home screen, like a desktop PC, you can customize the home screen to your liking.

Its Japanese Only Version so Far.

and Many More… !

Taiwan based PC makers  Asus and Acer are among the firsts to offer netbooks using the free OS (Android) backed by Google Inc.

Hardware manufacturers Asus and Acer are preparing to launch Android powered netbooks in 2009.

Netbook pioneer Asus has spurned Intel’s Atom chip in favor of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon for its new Android based Eee PC, which it demoed at the Computex computer fair in Taiwan this week.

The device will likely feature a 10-inch screen, according to the National Business Review. The Snapdragon chip includes a universal 3G radio, as well as support for 720p video, GPS and Wi-Fi. The netbook is expected to be shipped later this year.

Asus said it would also offer a linux version of this netbook. The company is also expected to launch an Android based handset this or next year.

Acer, meanwhile, said it would launch an Android powered notebook in Q3 2009. But its offering will run on both XP and Android, and allow users to switch between the two, the Financial Times reported.

The new offering will be cheaper than its current Aspire One models, Acer said.

Google does not charge manufacturers for installing the Android OS, while Microsoft charges around $20 per computer for the use of XP.

Fellow laptop manufacturer Dell is believed to also be planning its own Android notebook, while HP is already testing Android based machines, but has yet to confirm the product release schedule.

“Places Directory”  App can be found on Android Market Place  as a Google Labs product.

As the name implies, Places Directory allows you to browse nearby places in categories like Restaurants, Movie Theaters, Hotels and Banks. You can the see distance and directions to the destination, and if you tap on the listing, it will show ratings and photos. You can also call the business or view its location on Google Maps.

To download Places Directory Application on your Android powered phone, just search for “Places Directory” on Android Market. The application currently supports US English and Chinese. Try it out and let us know what you think about this application by Google Labs by providing your feedback in the comments below.

At least eighteen more Android based devices are expected to be in the market by the end of 2009, Andy Rubin from Google Inc. has been explaining the three levels of platform adoption options, open to handset manufacturers and carriers. While Android remains FREE to use and OEMs are not even required to tell Google about their implementations. That figure of eighteen phones are only those the company knows about, there are degrees of flexibility in how some of the platform’s flagship apps can be deployed.

The most basic implementation is obligation-free, with manufacturers at liberty to install Android on as many devices as they can do happily. However they may not distribute Apps by Google i.e. GMail, Google Calendar or any of the other popular Google applications. Next comes an implementation with strings attached, in which manufacturers will sign a distribution agreement with Google and are thus permitted to include Google’s Apps. Finally here comes what the search giant refers as The Google Experience, with Google branding on the handset and full of the Google apps and unrestricted access to the Android Market.

Rubin is aware of hitting the market by the end of this year, 12-14 of them fall into the second category and 5-6 into the third. Rubin expects US carriers will take longer to introduce Android devices, as they attempt to customize the platform; he declined to confirm which manufacturers Google knows are creating Android handsets.

As we heard in rumors about Android Eee PC powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, It has been caught on video at Computex!

Netbooks have just got even thinner, lighter and better. Asus has debuted an Android powered Eee PC at the Taiwanese tradeshow, running on a 1GHz Snapdragon chip like the Toshiba TG01 smartphone.  Th

at’s a slower clock speed than an Atom chip, sure, but this Eee PC’s processor uses so little power, it doesn’t even need a fan. The results in longer battery life, and an even thinner shell.

The Snapdragon chip in this Android Eee PC meanwhile means it’s capable of  showing 720 pixel video, and 1080 pixel will be the next step, as described by Qualcomm. We’ve seen Android on netbooks before, but none have been as good looking as this Android Eee PC, which looks remarkably like an Eee PC Seashell.

There are no details on a mass market model for the time being, but you can check out the Android Eee PC in this hands-on video below. Make no mistake, this is the future of mobile laptops in the flesh.

Welcome to the Android Developer Challenge 2! You can participate by developing an application, evaluating and scoring applications, or both. The sections below provide information about the types of applications you can enter, as well as the contest information and dates.

The ADC 2 full terms and conditions will be available soon.

Developers will submit their apps to one of 10 specially-designated ADC 2 categories (see below) beginning in August. An application can only be submitted to a single category.

First Round
In late August (final date to be announced), users of Android-powered handsets that can access the Android Market will be able to obtain a special ADC 2 judging application from the Android Market. With this app, they can download, test, and rank applications submitted to the challenge. Users choosing to participate in the review process will download submitted apps randomly and will rate them along a number of criteria, resulting in a final score for each app. The results from this first round will generate the top 20 applications in each of the 10 categories (200 apps total), which will go into the second round.

Second Round
The top 20 applications in each category will proceed to the second round. Android users will then be able to download the final applications and evaluate them in the same manner as during the First Round using the ADC 2 judging app. At the end of the voting period, applications in each category will be ranked, with the community vote constituting 45% of the final judging score.

Along with the public ranking, a team of Google-selected judges will evaluate the applications. Their scores will constitute 55% of the final score.
Eligibility

The ADC 2 contest is open only to applications that have not been published — whether through Android market, a public web site, or any other means. An application that has already been made available to the public (at the time of judging) is ineligible, regardless whether it is free or sold commercially. Additionally, applications that were entered in the ADC 1 contest are ineligible for the ADC 2 contest, regardless whether they were winning apps. Similarly, updated versions of applications entered in the ADC 1 contest are ineligible for ADC 2.

When you enter an application in the ADC 2, we will make it available to all contest judges for free, exclusively for the purposes of judging. If you intend to sell your application after the conclusion of the contest, you may submit a “trial” version of the application for judging. We recommend that your trial version include full functionality, but with a timed expiration, rather than including limited functionality with no expiration. Judges will evaluate your application based only on the functionality accessible to them, so it makes sense to provide the fullest range of capabilities possible in your contest app.

Teams and business entities may enter applications in the contest, but each team or entity must designate a single developer entity who will be responsible for uploading the application. Should the application be selected as a contest winner, all payments will be sent to the developer entity only. Further division of funds is the responsibility of the team leader or business entity representative.

All submitted applications must run on Android 1.5 and be in English.
Categories
Education/Reference
Games: Casual/Puzzle
Games: Arcade/Action
Social Networking
Lifestyle
Productivity/Tools
Media
Entertainment
Travel
Misc
Awards

Prizes will be distributed as follows; all prizes are in USD:

For each of the 10 categories:
1st prize: $100,000
2nd prize: $50,000
3rd prize: $25,000

Overall (across all categories)
1st prize: $150,000 (meaning the overall winner will receive $250,000)
2nd prize: $50,000 (meaning the 2nd prize winner will receive up to $150,000)
3rd prize: $25,000 (meaning the 3rd prize winner will receive up to $125,000)

In addition, attendees of selected developer events will be provided with devices intended for use in developing submissions for ADC 2.
Timeline

Note: this timeline is subject to change until the Official Rules are published.
May 27 – Google I/O: ADC 2 announced
June: Full Terms and Conditions made available
Beginning in August: submission site opens, developers submit apps
Approximately 2 weeks later: submission site closes; ADC2 client/scoring app goes up on Market; users begin reviewing apps
Mid October: first-round judging ends
Mid November: final judging ends, winners announced

Source (Google Official Announcement)