How To Begin Building Apps for Android

Google developed the Android OS so just about anyone together with the proper knowledge can produce software programs to run on an Android smartphone or tablet. Google's strategy to developing smartphones is completely opposite to Apple, preferring control over the applications that people can add to their iPhones. The open nature of Android makes sure that you can create whatever you want and individuals are able to download and install the software. Countless developers have jumped ship from iPhone apps to creating apps for the Android due to the freedom it gives them.

When you build an application for the iPhone then it's in the hands of a reviewer who ascertains if your app meets certain criteria to be sold on iTunes or if it is suitable for the app store. Many apps don't get published due to Apple's censorship procedures. Besides this, research firm, NDP Group said half of all smartphone purchases are for Android smartphones. By the end of 2010 Thirty two million handsets were running the Android OS. It's no wonder that everybody is examining tips on how to create Android applications.

Android apps are programmed with Java. You will need to know this language or work with a programmer who does. The next thing is to download and install the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) from Google. The SDK consists of libraries, classes, code examples plus an interface to test out your Android program. You should also download the Google APIs Add-On extension, which incorporates libraries specific to Google's numerous web services.

You would generally design the interface in Illustrator and save in vector format. On the other hand, you'll find it best to find a skilled designer to develop the UI. The libraries in the SDK also contain some standard vector artwork which can be used when building an Android app. Should your app creates info which needs to be stored and referenced later like a weight management tracker in which you enter your weight and show your trends using a graph or chart over time you need to store the data with an SQLite database. You will furthermore need to create the necessary code to create, write, delete and retrieve data from the database.

Getting the finished application from your computer to your Android smartphone is a tad complex given it must be converted, compiled and deployed. Android works with a system known as Dalvik Virtual Machine. Your Java Class files need to be converted to .dex files by using a tool called DX. After this is accomplished it must be packaged in to an .apk (Android Package) file by using something referred to as the Android Asset Packing Tool. Only if this is successfully done can the application be deployed to an Android handset.

The good thing is you'll find vast libraries of openly available code on the Android developers website and on third party websites which offer lessons on how to get rolling developing your first Android app.

To learn more about Android tablets consider Android Tablet Reviews HQ. After you master coding on Android tablets and phones you might want to broaden your skills and also check out creating applications for Windows 8 tablets and smartphones.

Making Use of Android OS for Business

For the past Five-years the RIM's Blackberry phones were definitely associated with business. No city worker worth a damn that would be without his or her Blackberry. Our current President of the U.S, Barack Obama is a self confessed Blackberry user. But with the growth of Google Android along with the innovation the open operating system provides, it is about time companies look at their addiction with the Blackberry?

Blackberry's foremost feature is the ease which it synchronizes e-mail with the cell phone. Having a data plan you can easily submit and receive e-mail messages as speedily as sending a txt message. The 'Push' feature allows your mobile to auto-magically get your recent email messages as they get delivered to the mail server. If an Android phone can do all this and provide the choice of apps, design and style, functionality and features, don't you think it makes the Blackberry rather redundant? Considering the variety of email programs for the Android you'll be able to pick one which matches your preferences instead of having Blackberry choose how to manage email for you.

Many companies are going to the cloud model where data is kept in datacenters and information is used as it is needed from wherever. At the forefront of this is Google making use of their various solutions ranging from contacts to word processing. Lots of big companies are in fact making use of Google's email service, thereby replacing their Windows Exchange servers. An Android device comes tightly integrated with many Google apps including documents, contacts, email, maps and more meaning all the info that you have on your computer at the office is accessible with a touch of a button on the Android cellphone. Looking for the contact information of a client? Not an issue, it's just a click away in your Google address book.

Think of just how much a lost or stolen smartphone could cost the business. All your contacts, all of your messages and all your stored files could be irreplaceable. Nonetheless, with the Android's synchronization ability with your Google accounts, absolutely no emails need be lost. Your contacts are stored in the cloud along with your Google Docs. The price of losing or damaging the cell phone is limited to the price of the unit itself.

The present day smartphone needs to let the businessperson to perform all functions they'd normally need to have a desktop computer for. If they're going to a client meeting and want to make some final changes to the demo they would generally need to carry a heavy laptop. The Android phone can remove this prerequisite allowing the user to create, modify and view common office docs on the Android and make corrections where needed. The built in WiFi and Bluetooth capability makes it simple to pass any data files to a PC or another device at the touch of the button.

The Android is the perfect business smartphone capable of replacing single purpose devices like mp3 players, PDAs and GPSs.

To read more about Android Tablets and Smartphones take a look at Android Tablet Reviews HQ. Be certain to read the various reviews available to make sure you are purchasing the best device for your situation.  With Windows 8 just around the corner you may also want to checkout a Windows 8 Tablet review.  These devices are offering some cool features for business.