Google Android To Go..

After a couple of trying weeks with the Java Wireless Toolkit, my spirits have been lifted with Google Andorid. Still Java (probably my favorite programming language), the Android Toolkit with the Eclipse IDE provided a very robust development environment. Not only did it offer superior debug facility but also syntax help at a mouse click (a very important feature when you are using a new programing environment). It was nice to hit the ground running and not run into a parked car ;)

I have been programming for twenty years but will each new programming language or API comes a learning curve. With the help of numerous examples and excellent resources provided by Google (videos, samples and forums) I muddled my way through a clone of my .Net GCC Mapz application is short order. A couple of videos last week and some documentation over the weekend, I had the Java MIDlet I created cloned in one day and a more robust version (similar to what I had done in .Net) in two days.

My experience is that whenever you have a new technology to learn (whether your experienced or not) it is always better to look for another program to use as a template. If your new to the technology, creating a program from scratch is very difficult. It is a lot like learning a new language. It is easier to read it from someone who knows the language then trying to speak it to a native from scratch...

I am very impressed and encouraged about Android. If just for a PDA, it is a very robust environment. Put with a smartphone, it can be a very powerful tool. Two weeks ago, T-Mobile and Google announced their intention of marketing a Google Phone. It is hard to say how the market will embrace Android but from a initial pricing standpoint, it seems much more attractive then the cost of an iPhone. I am hoping it is successful in the marketplace.

If you are interested in seeing what I have done, you can visit my web site and look at the screen shots and source code it took to create the Android GCC Mapz application. This is the first programming language I have used that took advantage of XML for the UI (although XAML and other technologies by different vendors are also going in that direction) and it was a little challenging at the start. Fortunately, with some good examples provided by many on the web, I was successful.

For the next week, I am going to start on a more robust thick client app (provide course content delivery on a mobile device) that has been started in .Net but which I have plans to implement in Android. I will also be looking at deployment strategies and the options for personal mobile apps on the various cell phone providers in the Phoenix area.

If you have and questions or comments, chime in.