For Dummies Android Application Development 978-0-470-77018-4 User Manual
Product codes
978-0-470-77018-4
11
Chapter 1: Developing Spectacular Android Applications
Cross-compatibility
Android can run on many devices with different screen sizes and resolutions.
Besides being cross-compatible, Android comes with the tools that help you
develop cross-compatible applications. Google allows your apps to run only
on compatible devices. If your app requires a front-facing camera, for exam-
ple, only phones with a front-facing camera will be able to see your app in the
Android Market. This arrangement is known as feature detection. (For more
information on publishing your apps to the Android Market, see Chapter 8.)
Besides being cross-compatible, Android comes with the tools that help you
develop cross-compatible applications. Google allows your apps to run only
on compatible devices. If your app requires a front-facing camera, for exam-
ple, only phones with a front-facing camera will be able to see your app in the
Android Market. This arrangement is known as feature detection. (For more
information on publishing your apps to the Android Market, see Chapter 8.)
For Android devices to be certified compatible (devices have to be compat-
ible to have access to the Android Market), they must follow certain hardware
guidelines. These guidelines include but are not limited to the following:
ible to have access to the Android Market), they must follow certain hardware
guidelines. These guidelines include but are not limited to the following:
✓
Camera
✓
Compass
✓
GPS (Global Positioning System) feature
✓
Bluetooth transceiver
See the Compatibility Program Overview page at http://source.
android.com/compatibility/overview.html
android.com/compatibility/overview.html
for specific device con-
figurations that are considered to be compatible. Compatibility ensures that
your apps can run on all devices.
your apps can run on all devices.
Mashup capability
A mashup combines two or more services to create an application. You can
create a mashup by using the camera and Android’s location services, for
example, to take a picture with the exact location displayed on the image!
It’s easy to make a ton of apps by combining services or libraries in new and
exciting ways.
create a mashup by using the camera and Android’s location services, for
example, to take a picture with the exact location displayed on the image!
It’s easy to make a ton of apps by combining services or libraries in new and
exciting ways.
The roots of Android
Most people don’t know this, but Google didn’t
start the Android project. The initial Android
operating system was created by a small start-
up company in Silicon Valley known as Android,
Inc., which was purchased by Google in July
2005. The founders of Android, Inc., came from
start the Android project. The initial Android
operating system was created by a small start-
up company in Silicon Valley known as Android,
Inc., which was purchased by Google in July
2005. The founders of Android, Inc., came from
various Internet technology companies such as
Danger, Wildfire Communications, T-Mobile,
and WebTV. Google brought them into the
Google team to help create what is now the
full-fledged Android mobile operating system.
Danger, Wildfire Communications, T-Mobile,
and WebTV. Google brought them into the
Google team to help create what is now the
full-fledged Android mobile operating system.
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