Should I Write for Android?
What's better than being able to develop applications for a company that
a) doesn't charge you for it
b) puts no limitations on you as a developer
c) has the potential to be the next biggest thing in technology ?
Think about it:
There are so many ideas for applications out that it makes my head swim.
You have the ability to write for Android and make your (and everyone else's lives) much easier.
Make sure you go online and find out the applications already out there for Google Android.
I guarantee you, you'll be dying to write for Android.
The possibilities are so unlimited, it'll make your brain tired just thinking about it.
Don't get me wrong. I love the iPhone and it's possibilities (and probably always will) but I do appreciate the things that Google is doing by creating Android.
I think you should get excited about it too.
What's On This Lens?
- Why I Think It's Important to Write for Android
- Other Lenses to Check Out
- Important Websites You Should Read
- Helpful Books
- Meet Google Android Developers
- Learning the Android Programming Language
- Videos on Learning Java
- Google Android Blog
- Whose Better to Write for?
- Show Your Love for Google
- Google Android Videos to Watch
- iPhone vs. Google Android
- Leave Feedback!
Why I Think It's Important to Write for Android
While the iPhone have been a tremendous hit (I still love it!), I have to say that I believe that Google Android will dramatically change this market.There are several features of Android that are remarkable:
1) You can run multiple applications at once.
2) It is free for developers to put up applications for Android phones. There is an open distribution system that is good news for all you developers/developers-do-be out there.
3) All of the applications that are written for Android are free for the user.
4) There are no limits for the applications that you can create like there is for Apple. You can create applications that work with the functions of the phone.
Other Lenses to Check Out
Learn to Program for the iPhone
How to Make Money from iPhone Applications
Important Websites You Should Read
Tutorial: A Notepad Application - Android
Get the basics when you write for Android. This i more...0 points
Writing Efficient Android Code - Android
Get some good tips here. You're hearing it right more...0 points
A developer's perspective on Google's Android SDK
News, views, articles, and discussion on using Lin more...0 points
Early Developers Giving Google's Android Mobile Platform Mixed Reviews
Dow Jones reports (shorter Wall Street Journal ver more...0 points
Android News - Google Android Forums
Google Android news and discussion forums for the more...0 points
Helpful Books
These books are very different from one and another so you can't find pretty much anything you're looking for. Some are more advanced than others (such as the Pro Android Developing book). If you are looking for more of a beginner's guide, I would recommend the Professional Android Application Development.
Professional Android Application Development (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
This is my favorite one. I like that it guides you through exercises to help you get hands-on practice with developing for the Android.
Amazon Price: $29.69 (as of 07/11/2009) 
Hello, Android: Introducing Google's Mobile Development Platform
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
The Busy Coder's Guide to Android Development
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Unlocking Android
Amazon Price: $26.39 (as of 07/11/2009)
Pro Android
Amazon Price: $29.69 (as of 07/11/2009)
Meet Google Android Developers
I must say though, while it guides you some of the initial steps, it's still really important to know a little about programming to begin with.
Most videos assume that you have some base knowledge of programming.
If that's not the case, I strongly suggest you check out some of the books above. They start at a more fundamental level and are a good reference source for when you're doing more research on your own.
Learning the Android Programming Language
This is one of the more accessible programming languages and while challenging, is possible to learn if you are willing to put in the time.
Luckily, there are so many helpful books are resources that can help you learn to program in Java. I have compiled a list of the ones that I found most helpful. I learned from the books and now used them a references guides when I get stuck.
(This is all in contrast to the Object C and C++ programming language used to write iPhone applications.)
Learning Java Programming (with line-by-line explanation of the source code)
Amazon Price: $39.00 (as of 07/11/2009)
Learning Java Through Applications: A Graphical Approach (Programming Series)
Amazon Price: $37.82 (as of 07/11/2009)
Head First Java, 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $29.67 (as of 07/11/2009)
Effective Java (2nd Edition) (Java Series)
Amazon Price: $44.43 (as of 07/11/2009)
Java In A Nutshell, 5th Edition
I would use this one only for reference. It's a bit much to just study from but it definitely covers almost everything you'd have a question about so it's handy to have around.
Amazon Price: $29.67 (as of 07/11/2009)
Videos on Learning Java
I think he does a good job of making this clear. I find that the hardest part is knowing what you DON'T know so that you can look it up and learn. I think he outlines things in such a way that it's easy to see what information you need to go fill out on your own.
Google Android Blog
I read this blog pretty frequently because it has all the latest developments on the Google phones. You are guaranteed to never miss what's happening with Google!
This blog also has tutorials-type entries that can help you get on your way to developing for Google.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhose Better to Write for?
Show Your Love for Google
Google Android Videos to Watch
iPhone vs. Google Android
Do you think that Google Android will out-do Apple's iPhone?
Is it worth it to write for Android? Is it still important to write for iPhones?
Which one will make you more money?
My prediction:
Alex_D, at 5pm on September 24, 2008 predicts:
The software that Google created will eventually become used more than iPhones
Reader predictions:
Fetching predictions now... please stand by
JacobsR, at 11pm on December 19, 2008 predicts:
There will have to be some sort of cross-licensing, due to the ease of developing and lack of red tape for Android development. Simple supply and demand. Right now, I can't commit to predicting that one will be dominant over the other, but Apple will have to just come around sooner or later and realize they have no choice but to just open it up.
Fetching predictions now... please stand byLeave Feedback!
Like this lens?
Don't like it?
Have helpful tips for how to program for Google Android?
Leave all those thoughts here!
JacobsR wrote...
Awesome lens about the Android and the road that lies ahead for it. It's no doubt that its ease of use will just lower the obstacles manufacturers will have to impose on developers.
Posted December 19, 2008
