Android Application Development for the Intel® Platform

The number of Android devices running on Intel processors has increased since Intel and Google announced, in late 2011, that they would be working together to optimize future versions of Android for Intel Atom processors. Today, Intel processors can be found in Android smartphones and tablets made by some of the top manufacturers of Android devices, such as Samsung, Lenovo, and Asus. The increase in Android devices featuring Intel processors has created a demand for Android applications optimized for Intel Architecture: **__Android Application Development for the Intel Platform__** is the perfect introduction for software engineers and mobile app developers. Through well-designed app samples, code samples and case studies, the book teaches Android application development based on the Intel platformincluding for smartphones, tablets, and embedded devicescovering performance tuning, debugging and optimization. This book is jointly developed for individual learning by Intel Software College and China Shanghai JiaoTong University. ## What youll learn * Comprehensive introduction to the Intel Embedded and mobile hardware platform * Android app GUI design principles and guidelines * Covers the latest Intel Android development tools, including Intel Beacon Mountain version 0.6 and the Intel Compiler * NDK and C/C++ optimization * Designing and optimizing for low-power consumption ## Who this book is for The book is primarily for app developers, software engineers and open-source programming enthusiasts, but can also be used by for training programs and Codeacademy-style programs. ## About the Author Ryan Cohen is the contributing editor responsible for leading the international team of content contributors who created this Intel learning resource; he's also an Android enthusiast and Portland State graduate. Ryan has been following Android since 2011 when he made the switch from Apple iOS\*. When he is not writing about Android, he spends his time researching anything and everything new in the world of Android. Tao Wang came to United State as a PhD student at Oregon State University in 1993, and has been a Software Engineer since 2002 with Intel Corporation, where he provides his services as a software engineer in Intel developer zone, and has been technical collateral manager since 2011. He also runs his own mobile app/education-client startup called E-k12 in his part time. Tao has a high interest in application development, testing and debugging and performance optimization for mobile and Android on x86 platforms. He is skilled in many platforms including Android SDK and NDK, Intel Android tools, game engines such as CoCo2d-x, AndEngine and libgdx, Open GLES, Renderscript, and Android Runtime. He has been blogging and writing about Android since 2008, and his other areas of interest include mobile internet technologies such as application development, power efficiency, cloud-based mobile technologies, embedded devices, robotics, and mobile learning on the go. Annotation Android development is hot, and many programmers are interested in joining the fun. However, because this technology is based on Java, you should first obtain a solid grasp of the Java language and its foundational APIs to improve your chances of succeeding as an Android app developer. After all, you will be busy learning the architecture of an Android app, the various Android-specific APIs, and Android-specific tools. If you do not already know Java fundamentals, you will probably end up with a massive headache from also having to quickly cram those fundamentals into your knowledge base.  Learn Java for Android Development teaches programmers of any skill level the essential Java language and foundational Java API skills that must be learned to improve the programmer’s chances of succeeding as an Android app developer. Each of the book’s 10 chapters provides an exercise section that gives you the opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the chapter’s material. Answers to the book’s more than 300 exercises are provided in an appendix. Once you complete this book, you will be ready to dive into Android, and you can start that journey by obtaining a copy of Beginning Android 2 .  What you’ll learn The Java language: This book provides complete coverage of nearly every pre-Java version 7 language feature (native methods are briefly mentioned but not formally covered). Starting with those features related to classes and objects, you progress to object-oriented features related to inheritance, polymorphism, and interfaces. You then explore the advanced language features for nested types, packages, static imports, exceptions, assertions, annotations, generics, and enums. Continuing, you investigate strictfp, class literals, synchronized, volatile, the enhanced for loop statement, autoboxing/unboxing, and transient fields. The book also briefly presents most (if not all) of Java version 7’s language features, although not much is said about closures or modules (which were not finalized at the time of writing). Java APIs: In addition to Object and APIs related to exceptions, you explore Math, StrictMath, BigDecimal, BigInteger, Package, Boolean, Character, Byte, Short, Integer, Long, Float, Double, Number, the References API, the Reflection API, String, StringBuffer, System, the Threading API, the collections framework, the concurrency utilities, the internationalization APIs, the Preferences API, Random, the Regular Expressions API, File, RandomAccessFile, stream classes, and writer/reader classes. You will also get a tiny taste of Swing in the context of internationalization. Tools: You will learn how to use the JDK’s javac (compiler), java (application launcher), javadoc (Java documentation generator), and jar (Java archive creator, updater, and extractor) tools. You will also receive an introduction to the NetBeans and Eclipse integrated development environments. Although you can develop Android apps without NetBeans or Eclipse, working with these IDEs is much more pleasant. Who this book is for This book is for any programmer (including existing Java programmers and Objective-C [iPhone/iPad] programmers) of any skill level who needs to obtain a solid understanding of the Java language and foundational Java APIs before jumping into Android app development. Table of Contents Getting Started with Java Learning Language Fundamentals Learning Object-Oriented Language Features Mastering Advanced Language Features, Part 1 Mastering Advanced Language Features, Part 2 Exploring the Basic APIs, Part 1 Exploring the Basic APIs, Part 2 Discovering the Collections Framework Discovering Additional Utility APIs Performing I/O Solutions to Exercises The number of Android devices running on Intel processors has increased since Intel and Google announced, in late 2011, that they would be working together to optimize future versions of Android for Intel Atom processors. Today, Intel processors can be found in Android smartphones and tablets made by some of the top manufacturers of Android devices, such as Samsung, Lenovo, and Asus. The increase in Android devices featuring Intel processors has created a demand for Android applications optimized for Intel Architecture: Android Application Development for the Intel® Platform is the perfect introduction for software engineers and mobile app developers. Through well-designed app samples, code samples and case studies, the book teaches Android application development based on the Intel platform—including for smartphones, tablets, and embedded devices—covering performance tuning, debugging and optimization. This book is jointly developed for individual learning by Intel Software College and China Shanghai JiaoTong University. What you’ll learn Comprehensive introduction to the Intel ® Embedded and mobile hardware platform Android app GUI design principles and guidelines Covers the latest Intel Android development tools, including Intel Beacon Mountain version 0.6 and the Intel Compiler NDK and C/C++ optimization Designing and optimizing for low-power consumption Who this book is for The book is primarily for app developers, software engineers and open-source programming enthusiasts, but can also be used by for training programs and Codeacademy-style programs. About the Author Ryan Cohen is the contributing editor responsible for leading the international team of content contributors who created this Intel learning resource; he's also an Android enthusiast and Portland State graduate. Ryan has been following Android since 2011 when he made the switch from Apple iOS*. When he is not writing about Android, he spends his time researching anything and everything new in the world of Android. Tao Wang came to United State as a PhD student at Oregon State University in 1993, and has been a Software Engineer since 2002 with Intel Corporation, where he provides his services as a software engineer in Intel developer zone, and has been technical collateral manager since 2011. He also runs his own mobile app/education-client startup called E-k12 in his part time. Tao has a high interest in application development, testing and debugging and performance optimization for mobile and Android on x86 platforms. He is skilled in many platforms including Android SDK and NDK, Intel Android tools, game engines such as CoCo2d-x, AndEngine and libgdx, Open GLES, Renderscript, and Android Runtime. He has been blogging and writing about Android since 2008, and his other areas of interest include mobile internet technologies such as application development, power efficiency, cloud-based mobile technologies, embedded devices, robotics, and mobile learning on the go. Apress; Computer Engineering; Computers; General; Programming

Android continues to be one of the leading mobile OS and development platforms driving today's mobile innovations and the apps ecosystem. Android appears complex, but offers a variety of organized development kits to those coming into Android with differing programming language skill sets.

Android Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach, Second Edition offers more than 100 down-to-earth code recipes, and guides you step-by-step through a wide range of useful topics using complete and real-world working code examples. It's updated to include the Jelly Bean Android SDK as well as earlier releases.

Instead of abstract descriptions of complex concepts, in Android Recipes, you'll find live code examples. When you start a new project, you can consider copying and pasting the code and configuration files from this book, then modifying them for your own customization needs.

Crammed with insightful instruction and helpful examples, this second edition of Android Recipes is your guide to writing apps for one of today’s hottest mobile platforms. It offers pragmatic advice that will help you get the job done quickly and well. This can save you a great deal of work over creating a project from scratch!

What you’ll learn

• Use external libraries to save time and effort
• Boost app performance by using the Android NDK and Renderscript
• Design apps for performance, responsiveness, and seamlessness
• Send data between devices and other external hardware
• Persist application data and share it between applications
• Capture and play back various device media items
• Communicate with web services
• Get the most out of your user interface
• Develop a unit conversion app in the context of the command-line/Android SDK and Eclipse/Android SDK environments
  Who this book is for

This book is a handy reference for all Android app developers. Newcomers may also find this of interest, too.

Table of Contents1. Getting Started with Android
2. User Interface Recipes
3. Communications and Networking
4. Interacting with Device Hardware and Media
5. Persisting Data
6. Interacting with the System
7. Working with Libraries
8. Working with Android NDK and Renderscript
9. Appendix A: Scripting Layer for Android
10. Appendix B: Android Tools Overview
11. Appendix C: App Design Guidelines
12. Appendix D: Univerter Architecture

Annotation Today's Android apps developers are often running into the need to refine, improve and optimize their apps performances. As more complex apps can be created, it is even more important for developers to deal with this critical issue. Android allows developers to write apps using Java, C or a combination of both with the Android SDK and the Android NDK. Pro Android Apps PerformanceOptimizationreveals how to fine-tune your Android apps, making them more stable and faster. In this book, you'll learn the following:How to optimize your Java code with the SDK, but also how to write and optimize native code using advanced features of the Android NDK such as using ARM single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instructions (in C or assembly)Howto use multithreading in your application, how make best use of memory and how to maximize battery lifeHow to use to some OpenGL optimizations and to Renderscript, a new feature in Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) and expanded in Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). After reading and using this book, you'll be a better coder and your apps will be better-coded. Better-performing apps meanbetter reviews and eventually, more money for you as the app developer or your indie shop. What youll learnHow to optimize your applications in JavaHow to optimize your applications using the NDKHow to best use memory to maximize performanceHow to maximize battery lifeHow and when to use multi-threadingHow to benchmark and profile your codeHow to optimize OpenGL code and use RenderscriptWho this book is forAndroid developers already familiar with Java and Android SDK, who want to go one step further and learn how to maximize performance. Table of ContentsOptimizing Java codeGetting started with the Android NDKUsing advanced NDK featuresUsing memory efficientlyMultithreading and synchronizationBenchmarking and profiling your applicationMaximizing battery lifeOpenGL optimizationsRenderscript Android development is hot, and many programmers are interested in joining the fun. However, because this technology is based on Java, you should first obtain a solid grasp of the Java language and its foundational APIs to improve your chances of succeeding as an Android app developer. After all, you will be busy learning the architecture of an Android app, the various Android-specific APIs, and Android-specific tools. If you do not already know Java fundamentals, you will probably end up with a massive headache from also having to quickly cram those fundamentals into your knowledge base. Learn Java for Android Development, Second Edition teaches programmers of any skill level the essential Java language and foundational Java API skills that must be learned to improve the programmer’s chances of succeeding as an Android app developer. Each of the book’s 14 chapters provides an exercise section that gives you the opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the chapter’s material. Answers to the book’s more than 500 exercises are provided in an appendix. A second appendix provides a significant game-oriented Java application, which you can convert into an Android app. Once you complete this book, you should be ready to dive into beginning Android app development. Maybe, start that journey with Apress' Beginning Android. Learn Java for Android Development, Third Edition, is an update of astrong selling book that now includes a primer on Android app development (in Chapter1 and Appendix C, which is distributed in the book's code archive). Thisbook teaches programmers the essential Java language skills necessary foreffectively picking up and using the new Android SDK platform to build mobile,embedded, and even PC apps, especially game apps. Android development is hot, and many programmers are interested injoining the fun. However, because this technology is based on Java, you shouldfirst obtain a solid grasp of the Java language and its APIs in order toimprove your chances of succeeding as an effective Android app developer. Thisbook helps you do that. Each of the book's 16 chapters provides an exercise section that givesyou the opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the chapter's material.Answers to the book's more than 700 exercises are provided in an appendix. Asecond appendix provides a significant game-oriented Java application, whichyou can convert into an Android app. Onceyou complete this one-of-a-kind book written by Jeff Friesen, an expert Javadeveloper and JavaWorld.com columnist, you should be ready to begin your indieor professional Android app development journey Today's Android apps developers are often running into the need to refine, improve and optimize their apps performances. As more complex apps can be created, it is even more important for developers to deal with this critical issue. Android allows developers to write apps using Java, C or a combination of both with the Android SDK and the Android NDK. Pro Android Apps Performance Optimization reveals how to fine-tune your Android apps, making them more stable and faster. In this book, you'll learn the following: How to optimize your Java code with the SDK, but also how to write and optimize native code using advanced features of the Android NDK such as using ARM single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instructions (in C or assembly) How to use multithreading in your application, how make best use of memory and how to maximize battery life How to use to some OpenGL optimizations and to Renderscript, a new feature in Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) and expanded in Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). After reading and using this book, you'll be a better coder and your apps will be better-coded. Better-performing apps mean better reviews and eventually, more money for you as the app developer or your indie shop. 1. Overview of Embedded Application Development for Intel (R) Architecture2. Intel Embedded Hardware Platform3. Android Application Development Processes and Tool Chains for Intel (R) Architecture4. Real Device Environment Installation5. The Android OS6. Customization and Installation of Android7. GUI Design for Android Apps, Part 1: General Overview8. GUI Design for Android Apps, Part 2: The Android-Specific GUI9. GUI Design for Android Apps, Part 3: Designing Complex Applications10. GUI Design for Android Apps, Part 4:Graphic Interface and Touch Screen Input11. Performance Optimization for Android Applications on x8612. NDK and C/C++ Optimization13. The Low-Power Design of Android Application and Intel (R) Graphics Performance Analyzers (Intel GPA)-Assisted Power Optimization