An introduction to

Android
What is Android?

Android is the first

free, open source and
fully customizable
mobile platform

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What is Android?

 Bought by Google in an effort to extend its reach

from the computer-based internet to the mobile
internet

 Developed by the Open Handset Alliance, a group

of more than 30 companies, including Google, T-
Mobile, Intel, HTC, Qualcomm and Motorola, etc...

 A fully integrated bundle of software that will

significantly lower the current costs and time for
developing mobile devices and services

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What is Android?

 Android is currently available on the G1 from T-Mobile

– Manufactured by HTC
– More devices rumored to be arriving later in 2009 from
HTC, LG, Samsung, Garmin, etc…

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 Android applications

Applications Applications Applications

without borders embed the web run in parallel

 Applications access core  Applications can  While running in the

mobile device functionality
through standard APIs
easily embed HTML, background, an
Javascript, and style application can
 Through intents, applications
can announce their sheets produce notifications
capabilities for other to get users’ attention
applications to use

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 Android applications

An overview of apps is
available on the Android
Market site, but apps can only
be downloaded via the device

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 Android / G1 vs iPhone
iPhone Android / G1 Advantage
Virtual keypad; multi-lingual; fixed Physical keypad; slides out PUSH

Flash prohibited by T&C Flash available soon

Built-in media player Weak video playback

No multi-tasking, except for music Applications run in background

Ship for new battery; memory fixed Change battery / memory at any time

Multi-touch (patented) No multi-touch, only “long touch”

Thinner, lighter; fits in case; elegant Bulky; case won’t fit

Standard 3.5 mm headphone jack 5-pin mini-USB plug for headphones

All controls on touchscreen Touchscreen and trackball controls

8 GB & 16 GB versions Only 192 MB; can buy micro SD

No MMS available MMS is standard

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Android / G1 vs iPhone – Weather

Similarities
 Local navigation

Differences
 iPhone: Access to
more weather options
is present on screen
 iPhone: Share
functionality

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Android / G1 vs iPhone – Games

Similarities
 Accelerometer mode
 Swipe mode

Differences
 iPhone: Touchscreen
D-Pad
 Android / G1: Trackball
 Access to menu
options

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Android / G1 limitations

 Only sync with Gmail; no Exchange or desktop Outlook syncing

 No speed dialing

 No video recording functionality

 No notes, tasks, or to-do list applications pre-installed

 Basic navigation – back and forward – and bookmarks are hidden

– Press “Menu”, then “More” for these options

 No Bluetooth stereo, contacts exchange, modem pairing or

wireless keyboards

 Not truly open-source?

– Google criticized for trying to control the system

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Publishing applications to the Android Market

 Register using a Google account ($25 fee)

– Upload the application whenever you want, as many
times as you want, and then publish it when ready

 Once published, users can browse to the application,

download it and rate it

 Unlike Apple's App Store, Google's Android Market

doesn't have any approval process for applications
– After registration, developers can offer their applications
in the store without any further validation or approval
– Apple’s approval can take a month or more

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Android resources
 android.com
– Brief introduction to Android, with some helpful links and videos
 source.android.com
– A little more robust, with more content and links
 android.com/market
– Overview of available Android applications
 anddev.org
– Android development community
 code.google.com/android/index.html
– Useful site with information on getting started
 androiddevelopment.org/
– Developers blog
 androidcommunity.com/
– Android community with articles, forums, blogs, etc…

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Questions?

Erik Fields
Senior User Experience Architect
THINK Interactive

email: efields (at) thinkinc.com

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