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Google’s Rich Miner Talks Android And Open Source

Popsci recently sat down for a brief question and answer session with Google’s head of mobile platforms, Rich Miner. Rich talks about the development of the Android platform, it’s open source roots, application certification and also admits he’s been using an Android powered phone for over a year now.

Q: Why get into the phone business?
A: I wouldn’t say we’re getting into the phone business. Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it accessible. In many parts of the world, people are never going to have computers. They’re going to have mobile phones. We’re just using phones as a way to deliver on our mission.

Q: Aren’t there other open-source phones out there?
A: There’s open-source, and there’s what the industry refers to as open. There are other Linux-based initiatives but all of the other things you need to build a phone, like media codecs [software decoders], Web browsers, phone dialers, databases, security models—all that stuff is built on top of Linux in ways that aren’t necessarily open. Linux ends up being a very small portion. Everything a developer needs to build a phone, we’re releasing open-source.

Q: Have you seen any particularly impressive or original applications?
A: Somebody wrote an application that would notify him when the bus was turning down his street so he wouldn’t have to stand out in the rain.

Q: Will an Android application have a sort of security seal of approval to let users know that they’re not junky or vulnerable to hackers?
A: The Android platform protects the user from buggy applications. Software can’t read your address book or dial your phone without your knowing about it, for example. But we don’t want to put big hurdles in front of a developer to have to go pay and get something certified and stamped for every single handset they want to be on. We think that’s one of the things that limits innovation.

Q: Do you use an Android phone now?
A: Yes, and I have been for a year. It’s called dog-fooding—in our industry, to “eat your own dog food” is the phrase.

[via PopSci.com]

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Interview With BreadCrumbz

In the first of what will be a series of interviews with the top 50 Android Developer Challenge finalists, we got in contact with the creator of BreadCrumbz to find out a little more about the application, Android and the Developer Challenge.

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Google I/O Android Round-up, Android Keynote Video

This week’s Google I/O developer event really opened with a bang as Google’s Engineering Director for Android, Steve Horowitz took to the stage to show us the latest Android prototype.

The last time Google showcased an Android prototype was back at CES and boy has it progressed. The user interface has been greatly improved, with a more glossy menu structure and intelligent pattern-based unlock screen. Additionally most of the GUI can be pulled, tapped and swiped, although at the post conference Q+A Horowitz stated that:

Android was built generically to work with a lot of different types of devices. We just happened to show demo with touch-screen, we could have shown one with track ball instead.

Various examples of the touch-screen interface include the ability to pull down the title bar to reveal missed calls or any new messages. Making shortcuts on the home screen is also incredibly easy, simply hold down your finger and follow through the contextual menus.

After a brief run through the user interface Horowitz moved on to demo a selection of applications, mainly Google’s Street View (with built-in compass), Google Maps and ofcourse Pac Man.

Here’s the full 7mins+ opening presentation by Steve Horowitz:

More photo’s from the event can be found here:

Google I/O Developer Event Opening Keynote

Want more information and dicsussion on the latest details from Google I/O? Then why not join in the Google I/O discussion on the Android Forums

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Google I/O Developer Event Opening Keynote

Google’s I/O developer event got off to a flying start today at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Google’s VP of engineering Vic Gundotra kicked things off with the opening keynote.

Also speaking at the keynote was Steve Horowitz, the Engineering Director for Android. Horowitz brought on to the the stage a demo Android device in which he used to show the home screen, and touch screen capabilities.

Here’s some images from the demonstartion:

Stay tuned for more Android information from the I/O conference or alternatively why not visit the Google I/O discussion for the latest updates!

[via TechCrunch]

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TalkAndroid Friday Forum Round-up 1

Here’s a round-up of the week’s forum discussion on the Android Forums

Verizon Sides with Lilo, Snubs Android - Problem?

Android Developers Will Have Access to Less Than 80% of the Android Code

Android Virtual World to Rival Second Life?

Who Are the 4 Hidden Application Winners?

Android Member Blogs:

HowTo Add an Icon to the Activity Title

HowTo Make A Simple Image Gradient Window

Simple Image Rotation And Resizing Snippet

To join the Android forums and gain access to your own personal Android blog, simply Register Here - it’s that easy!

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Android Developer Finalists To Receive SDK Snapshots

As if the $25,000 prize wasn’t enough, the 50 finalists of the Android Developer Challenge will also be the first group of developers to gain access to the latest SDK snapshots for the Android platform.

In an email sent out by Google, “These early access SDKs have many enhancements, additional features, and bug fixes. However, these SDKs have not had the same level of testing as public SDKs, so there are bugs; these releases are definitely “bleeding edge.”

The ADC finalists will be required to sign an NDA forbidding any such screenshots or feature discussion for the latest SDK builds.

As a Round 2 participant, we’ll be providing you with the most up-to-date Android SDK so that you can take advantage of the latest tools & platform capabilities that will be shipping in devices later this year. These early access SDKs have many enhancements, additional features, and bug fixes. However, these SDKs have not had the same level of testing as public SDKs, so there are bugs; these releases are definitely “bleeding edge.” As we continue to update the platform, you’ll receive periodic drops of updated early access SDKs. We’ll do our best to give you a rough timeline on when these early access SDKs will be available so that you can better plan your development schedule. Approximately 3 weeks before the submission deadline, we will provide a final early access SDK. You will need to submit your entry using this version of the SDK.

Since these early access SDKs are not ready for the public, you need to execute a special SDK license. This is the same SDK license that governs the public SDK with the addition of a confidentiality clause. We’ve attached the SDK license document to this email.

[Thanks to John for the tip!]

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Google Announce AndroidGlobalTime For The Apps For Android Project

Over on the official Android blog, Google have announced a new open source application that will be part of their apps-for-android project.

AndroidGlobalTime, developed by a Google engineer is a simple 3D world clock. The application serves as a solid illustrative example of how to properly use the OpenGL API’s in Android apps.

Apps for Android is basically a sample collection of open source applications, that will allow them to demonstrate the many aspects and possibilities of the Android platform.

The first of these apps to be announced was Wikinotes.

[via Google Android Blog]

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Maps And Location Based Applications Hold The ADC Majority

Google’s Official Google Android developer blog has revealed yet more information on the Android Developer Challenge as they begin to bring to a close the first round of judging.

A full list detailing the judges used and their respective companies can also now be viewed from the site, along with a slide deck of the Android Developer Challenge prize recipients (PDF).

The PDF file includes screenshots and descriptions for the 46 recipients who allowed for their submissions to be publicised.

It is interesting to note that out of the 46 applications made public some 27 of them are based around either location or Google Maps. That’s 59% of the successful applications.

[via Android Developers]

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Google’s Mobile Team Won’t Be Giving Android Any Special Treatment

According to the head of Google’s mobile engineering team, Android will be treated just like any other mobile operating system.

Speaking at the companies London headquarters, Google’s mobile engineering director, Ann Mei Cheng stated that:

“The mobile team is separate from the Android team.”

“Android is just another device for us. We will certainly make sure that Google products run as well on Android as anything else.”

Google is currently going to great lengths to make sure their mobile search app is installed on handsets across the Nokia range, allowing users only to have to press one button to start searching. However, many believe Google’s involvement with the Android operating system could harm their relationship with Nokia nd others.

“We’ve had a very frank discussion with Nokia,” claimed Christian Hernandez, European partnerships lead at Google. “Nokia is morphing from a hardware company to an internet company: it realises that it has to partner with us.”

Hernandez even speculates that Nokia may even adopt Android on its handsets. “It’s publicly stated that it’s interested in evaluating Android,” he claimed.

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Google Reveal The Top 50 Android Applications (46 Public)

Here’s a rundown of the top 46 Android developer challenge winners who made the final 50. If you’re wondering 4 of the entries opted out of the public list, but im sure we’ll find out about them shortly. We’ve taken the liberty of matching up the domains/websites to go along with this list, if we’ve missed yours feel free to drop us a note in the comments.

Alternatively if you’re looking for a home to publish updates and releases for your Android apps why not drop us a line!

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