Pro Android 2 shows you how to build real-world and fun mobile applications using Google’s latest Android SDK. This new edition is fully updated for Android 2, covering everything from the fundamentals of building applications for embedded devices to advanced concepts such as custom 3D components, OpenGL, and touchscreens including gestures. While other Android development guides simply discuss topics, Pro Android 2 offers the combination of expert insight and real sample applications that work.

• Discover the design and architecture of the Android SDK through practical examples, and how to build mobile applications using the Android SDK.
• Explore and use the Android APIs, including those for media and Wi-Fi.
• Learn about Android 2’s integrated local and web search, handwriting gesture UI, Google Translate, and text-to-speech features.

Pro Android 2 dives deep, providing you with all the knowledge and techniques you need to build mobile applications ranging from games to Google apps, including add-ons to Google Docs. You’ll be able to extend and run the new Google Chrome APIs on the G1, the G2, and other next-generation Google phones and Android-enabled devices.

What you’ll learn

• How to use Android to build Java-based mobile applications for Google phones with a touch screen or keyboard (thanks to Cupcake’s inclusion as of Android 1.5)
• How to design and architect using Google’s latest Android SDK
• How to use the Android SDK to write mobile applications for embedded devices
• How to create 3D graphics with OpenGL and custom components
• How to build multimedia and game apps using Android’s Media APIs and OpenGL
• How to use Android’s location-based services, networking (Wi-Fi APIs), and security
• How to create and allow for more integrated local and web searches
• How to build handwriting gesture UIs
• How to incorporate Google Translate into your Android applications

Who this book is for

This book is for professional software engineers/programmers looking to move their ideas and applications into the mobile space with Android. It assumes that readers have a passable understanding of Java, including being able to write classes and handle basic inheritance structures. This book also targets hobbyists.

Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introducing the Android Computing Platform
Chapter 2: Getting Your Feet Wet
Chapter 3: Using Resources, Content Providers, and Intents
Chapter 4: Building User Interfaces and Using Controls
Chapter 5: Working with Menus and Dialogs
Chapter 6: Unveiling 2D Animation
Chapter 7: Exploring Security and Location-Based Services
Chapter 8: Building and Consuming Services
Chapter 9: Using the Media Framework and Telephony APIs
Chapter 10: Programming 3D Graphics with OpenGL
Chapter 11: Managing and Organizing Preferences
Chapter 12: Exploring Live Folders
Chapter 13: Home Screen Widgets
Chapter 14: Android Search
Chapter 15: Exploring Text to Speech and Translate APIs
Chapter 16: Touchscreens
Chapter 17: Titanium Mobile: A WebKit-Based Approach to Android Development
Chapter 18: Working with Android Market
Chapter 19: Outlook and Resources