Professional Android [Paperback]

The comprehensive developer guide to the latest Android features and capabilities

Professional Android, 4th Edition shows developers how to leverage the latest features of Android to create robust and compelling mobile apps. This hands-on approach provides in-depth coverage through a series of projects, each introducing a new Android platform feature and highlighting the techniques and best practices that exploit its utmost functionality. The exercises begin simply, and gradually build into advanced Android development. Clear, concise examples show you how to quickly construct real-world mobile applications.

This book is your guide to smart, efficient, effective Android development.

• Learn the best practices that get more out of Android
• Understand the anatomy, lifecycle, and UI metaphor of Android apps
• Design for all mobile platforms, including tablets
• Utilize both the Android framework and Google Play services

INTRODUCTION xxxi

CHAPTER 1: HELLO, ANDROID 1

Android Application Development 1

A Little Background 2

The Not-So-Distant Past 3

Living in the Future 3

The Android Ecosystem 3

Pre-installed Android Applications 4

Android SDK Features 5

What Does Android Run On? 6

Why Develop for Mobile? 6

Why Develop for Android? 7

Introducing the Development Framework 7

What Comes in the Box 8

Understanding the Android Software Stack 8

The Android Run Time 10

Android Application Architecture 11

Android Libraries 12

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