Pro Android 2 [Paperback]

Sayed Y. Hashimi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1430226595 | ISBN-13: 978-1430226598 | Publication Date: January 29, 2010 | Edition: 1st Edition.

Android is Google’s software platform answer to the iPhone and BlackBerry, and at the very least, has advantages in terms of multitasking, running apps in the background and others.

Google’s partners in the Open Handset Alliance – supporting Android -- provide the devices, with HTC G1 and G2 already available now and 18 more Google Phones set to debut later this year according to Google I/O Conference news. Among these 18 apparently will be Nokia, currently 40% of world cell phone market share.

Pro Android 2 is the first or one of the first on Android 2.0. This book is a detailed look at all aspects of application development on Google’s Mobile OS and Development Platform including detailed discussion of the APIs and how to use them.

This book focuses on giving developers the essential tools and examples required to make viable commercial applications work on mobile devices and even Netbooks.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sayed Y. Hashimi is the author of Pro Android, as well as a consultant and trainer in Jacksonville, Florida. Sayed has worked for startups and Fortune 100 companies. He has developed large-scale distributed applications with a variety of programming languages and platforms, including C++, Java, and .NET. Sayed has published in major software journals on topics ranging from low-level programming techniques to high-level architecture concepts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1st Edition. edition (January 29, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1430226595
• ISBN-13: 978-1430226598
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It shouldn't be the only Android book on your shelf, but your collection should not be without it., May 3, 2010

By 

M. Freeman (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pro Android 2 (Paperback)

Pro Android 2 is aimed at developers who want to take Android to the next level. This large book serves as a manual for how to do almost anything on Android. The book starts by giving a refresher of the platform, and then quickly dives into explaining XML files, GUI layout and Views, and working with mapping. Building and consuming services are explained, giving the first example of working with Apache's HttpClient libs that I have seen in an Android book. Examples of working with the Telephony API, searching, using gestures, you name it. The book even offers an alternative way of creating applications using Titanium Mobile. Finally time is spent explaining the Android Marketplace and things you should know before making your application public.

The information contained in this book is at the same time enlightening and overwhelming. In just the first few chapters, I had already found better ways to handle several things in my own Android applications. That alone was worth the time spent reading this book.

Although the book was written by three different authors, I found the writing style and flow of the book well done and congruous.

The book explains that the intended audience should have previous exposure to developing on the Android platform and to Java, and they mean it. While an introduction is given to the various parts of an Android application, a new developer wouldn't be able to get enough understanding to use this book as a starting point for developing Android applications. Previous exposure to any number of beginning Android books is recommended before you attempt to tackle this one. The publisher suggest you start with Beginning Android 2.

If you are an Android developer, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. If you spend 2 minutes flipping through the various chapters, I promise you will walk out of the book store with Pro Android 2 in hand. My rating, 5 stars. The book delivers exactly what it advertises and does so in a manner that is enjoyable to read and very helpful.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding deep dive into Android 2.0, April 6, 2010

By 

Dylan C. Phillips - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pro Android 2 (Paperback)

In my opinion, one of the weaknesses of the Android documentation from Google is that is does not highlight the associated components of the Android Operating System. Pro Android 2 provides those high level connections and provides real depth into the various parts of the API.

I found the coverage of the Android Platform, in the context of the evolution of computing, to be particularly insightful and engaging. And they quickly transition into an in depth explanation of what you will need to build real applications.

The chapter exploring the Structure of an Android Application clearly illustrates how the different development assets are wired together by the runtime. The chapters describing the OOB widgets, menus and layout are both very complete and easy to understand.

I was especially excited to read the sections on more advanced topics, including OpenGL, 2D Animations, and even WebKit / Titanium hybrid development.

Outstanding book!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, May 27, 2010

By 

T. Lowry (Jacksonville, FL, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pro Android 2 (Paperback)

This book is a great resource for developers that are new to Android programming. I had never built a droid app before. With this book, I was able to get up and running very quickly. The examples are excellent and the foundation that this book provides is invaluable. It covers all of the topics for virtually any application need, and then describes in detail how to get your new app on the market.