What’s Going On

About a month back a close friend approached me about getting together and writing some mobile applications, specifically targeting the iPhone.  The plan came from a desire to learn a couple of new technologies and possibly make a little extra cash.  After some research and learning about the costs associated with starting iPhone development, we turn to looking to the Pre and Android platforms. We eventually settled on doing Android applications.

Why Android

So why did we choose Android? Two reasons

1. Cost of entry
2. Cross platform development ready

It cost zero dollars to start developing on the Amdroid platform. Ypu dont need a specific kind of computer, which means you dont have to buy a new computer to get started.

They also have an SDK download available for Windows, Linux, and OS X. Also, you can get up and running by downloading the Eclipse java development environment, which is also cross platform.

So we have a completely cross platform development kit allows for development on any of the major operatig systems, and allows you to get started immediately. No need to purchase a thousand dollar computer (assuming you don’t already own a Mac).

Lessons so Far

So far, in the last week and a half of messing with Android, I have learned that I like the overall idea of it.  I think there is a ton of potential in the platform.  People will argue that the iPhone apps are more popular, and that is true, but mainly it’s a numbers game.  Eventually there will be more Android devices than just the one and more people will begin to use devices with Android on them.

Also, I like the idea of Activities and Intents (two terms used in the Android world to define screens and actions).  It makes it very specific and the language itself makes it very easy to convey a thought in reference to an app.

Finally, Java, it’s been a while since I’ve done Java programming (we’re talking 1.2 version was new when I was developing in Java).  The C# language has been my environment for over 7 years now and going back to a Java way of thinking is taking some getting used to, but the internet helps a lot here.  However, it’s not so much a jump that it’s like learning a completely new language.  I’ll get better at it the more I code Java.

So expect to hear more from me about Android development as time progresses.