by Dave Burke (Google)
Software development kit released on Monday: http://code.google.com/android/documentation.html
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Exposes Java for application developers -- SDK is based on Eclipse (works on Windows, Mac & Linux)
- Free phone stack provides at least 10% reduction of bill of materials for device
- Applications run as individual Linux processes with different user ids
- Complete two-way sync for user data (google gears?)
- Leveraging open APIs to expose application functionality
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Scalable to work with different device capabilities & input
- Component-based -- user can replace components
- e.g.
- Overall architecture:
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has freetype, media framework, SGL, OpenGL, LibWebCore (part of WebKit) libraries
- Java runs in Dalvik Java VM
- Four core apps: home, dialer, contacts, browser (can all be swapped out)
- Can run MIDP applications in parallel
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- Full source will be released with first handset
- Browser has visual history
- Can use Google Maps as a control in your own applications
- Example development process:
- Emulator is real ARM emulator
- Can create user interface declaratively using XML
- Plugin picks up ids from UI XML and makes them available in java code completion
- Can extend javascript in running browser component with native Java code
- manifest file has permissions where can add security permissions
- Application Developer Challenge will distribute $10 million in awards to developers of applications for the platform
- Developers retain all intellectual property and other rights to their applications while granting Google a license to evaluate and test the application for purposes of the Challenge as well as a license to display the application to promote the Android platform. More information will be provided when we make the Terms and Conditions available
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Android has simpler security system (for the user) than MIDP -- need details here
- Already works with real handsets but not available to public
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WebKit engine supports Netscape-style plugins
- Released under Apache license at the moment
- Designed for high-end platforms that include an MMU
- Own set of APIs providing full access to the device as opposed to MIDP
- Java is 1.5 so has generics etc.
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