Android App Development for Dummies

If you have ambitions to build an Android app, this hands-on guide gives you everything you need to dig into the development process and turn your great idea into a reality! In this new edition of Android App Development For Dummies, you'll find easy-to-follow access to the latest programming techniques that take advantage of the new features of the Android operating system. Plus, two programs are provided: a simple program to get you started and an intermediate program that uses more advanced aspects of the Android platform.

Android mobile devices currently account for nearly 80% of mobile phone market share worldwide, making it the best platform to reach the widest possible audience. With the help of this friendly guide, developers of all stripes will quickly find out how to install the tools they need, design a good user interface, grasp the design differences between phone and tablet applications, handle user input, avoid common pitfalls, and turn a "meh" app into one that garners applause.

• Create seriously cool apps for the latest Android smartphones and tablets
• Adapt your existing apps for use on an Android device
• Start working with programs and tools to create Android apps
• Publish your apps to the Google Play Store

Whether you're a new or veteran programmer, Android App Development For Dummies will have you up and running with the ins and outs of the Android platform in no time.

Michael Burton is the Head of Mobile Engineering at Groupon and creator of the popular RoboGuice programming framework for Android. He's the author of the OpenTable, Digg, TripIt, and award winning Groupon Android apps, and has addressed conferences around the world.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Your First Android Application 7

Chapter 1: Developing Spectacular Android Applications 9

Chapter 2: Prepping Your Development Headquarters 25

Part II: Building and Publishing Your First Application 39

Chapter 3: Your First Android Project 41

Chapter 4: Creating the User Interface 65

Chapter 5: Coding Your Application 79

Chapter 6: Understanding Android Resources 107

Chapter 7: Turning Your Application into an App Widget 119

Chapter 8: Publishing Your App to the Google Play Store 139

Part III: Creating a Feature-Rich Application 155

Chapter 9: Designing the Tasks Application 157

Chapter 10: Creating the Task Detail Page 181

Chapter 11: Going a la Carte with Your Menu 199

Chapter 12: Handling User Input 211

Chapter 13: Getting Persistent with Data Storage 233

Chapter 14: Reminding the User 265

Chapter 15: Working with Android Preferences 279

Part IV: Android Is More than Phones 293

Chapter 16: Developing for Tablets 295

Chapter 17: Supporting Older Versions of Android 315

Chapter 18: Wearing the Tasks App 333

Chapter 19: Look Ma, I’m on TV! 357

Chapter 20: Moving beyond Google 381

Part V: The Part of Tens 393

Chapter 21: Ten Free Sample Applications and SDKs 395

Chapter 22: Ten Tools to Simplify Your Development Life 399

Index 403

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