Android for Work: Productivity for Professionals Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The book, Android for Work, covers the essential tools needed to effectively use your Android phone for both business and casual users. It shows how to use each of the major areas that are included in all of the major Android phones from email to GPS maps to business productivity applications and everything in between. The books is aimed at the business professional but has application to every user. It's certainly a must-read for the professional but also has useful information for every user showing how to setup the phone and describing many, many useful downloaded apps for all users. The bottom line is that I absolutely loved the book. I have had my Nexus One phone since the first hour it was offered by Google but never used it to it's full capability until I read this book. I kept my phone next to me as I read it and found I was picking up the phone constantly to adjust it's settings or to download the apps that were recommended by Ms. Karch. I have never felt more in control of a personal productivity device before. I couldn't recomend this book more for any professional or casual user who wants to expand their use and enjoyment of their Android phone.

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Android is new, Android is open, and Android is fun. It's also serious about business. Android for Work shows you how to harness the power of Android to stay productive and take your office on the road. This book also sheds light on the often daunting task of finding the right Android phone for the business user.

Whether this is your first smartphone, your first Android smartphone, or your first attempt to make your phone into a productivity tool, Android for Work gets you started. You'll learn how to manage email and tasks, but you'll also learn how to weed through the sea of games to find specialized productivity tools for a variety of professions.

For those that are more interested in an enterprise wide deployment, the book includes an appendix of information on administering Android phones, creating custom interfaces, and creating specialized apps for your enterprise. You'll also learn more about integrating Android with other Google Apps for enterprise.

What you'll learn
Select the Android phone that is right for you
Integrate your work email and calendar tools
Navigate business trips and meetings with ease
Find specialized apps for your profession
Collaborate with coworkers in large and small groups
Harness the power of Android customization

Who this book is for
This book is for anyone who is considering an Android phone or who has recently purchased one. Whether you are a web designer, writer, medical professional, lawyer, or educator, an Android phone can help you be more productive and finally find a reason for having a phone with a data plan.

Table of Contents
Buying and Activating an Android Phone
Using Your Phone for the First Time
Going Online with Android
Android Calling
Managing Texting
Wrangling Your E-mail
The Calendar
Android in a Microsoft World
Photos and Video
Web Browsing
Social Media and Work
Maps and Mobile
The Remaining Android Apps
The Android Market
General Business Applications
Specialized Apps for Professionals
Advanced Customization and Troubleshooting
Resources for Managing Enterprise-Wide Android Deployment
Resources for Developing Android Apps

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App Inventor: Create Your Own Android Apps Review

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(More customer reviews)App Inventor: Create Your Own Android Apps describes and shows people how to use a new web application platform which has the goal of allowing non-programmers to be able to make Android apps. This book is for people who have never programmed before who wish to develop Android apps. "App Inventor" should not be confused with the Android SDK, which is geared towards professional programmers who already know Java, nor with the Android NDK that uses C++.
Computers have made a lot of progress in the last three decades. We have moved from machines that can only work with 80 column text using a fixed-width font to machines with sophisticated graphical user interfaces. This transition has been done piecemeal, starting with the transition from the Apple II to the Macintosh, followed by the transition from DOS to Windows for business computers, which was then followed by the transition of the Internet from Usenet and other text-only applications to graphical web browsers.
The only technology that hasn't made this transition is the interface used by programmers. Programs are still made using the paradigm of an 80-column terminal with a fixed-width font.
App Inventor breaks this programming model. Programs are developed with a mouse; the program structure is described using graphical components resembling pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The App Inventor book walks you through the process of using this platform, starting with a simple "Hello, world" application and finishing with advanced topics such as using Android's web API.
One issue I had with the system is that App Inventor needs a fast computer with a large screen to function well. While I was able to build basic applications on my test system (an Atom N455 Netbook with a small 1024x600 screen), the emulated system I was developing on ran very slowly and developing applications required a lot of switching the window between the web page with the application and the Java-generated page for programming the application's logic.
I might have had better luck running the system using my 64-bit Linux system which runs the Android SDK noticeably faster, but unfortunately I was unable to synchronize App Inventor with its included Android emulator in Linux.
App Inventor shows a lot of promise, and the O'Reilly book does a good job of describing how to use this development toolkit. Unfortunately, the technology is a little too cutting-edge to use with the low-end computers many people have today. Only get this book if you have tried out App Inventor and it runs well on your system.
DISCLOSURE: A digital copy of this book was given to me because I am a member of the O'Reilly Blogger Review Program.

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Yes, you can create your own apps for Android phones—and it's easy to do. This extraordinary book introduces App Inventor for Android, a powerful visual tool that lets anyone build apps for Android-based devices. Learn the basics of App Inventor with step-by-step instructions for more than a dozen fun projects, such as creating location-aware apps, data storage, and apps that include decision-making logic.

The second half of the book features an Inventor's manual to help you understand the fundamentals of app building and computer science. App Inventor makes an excellent textbook for beginners and experienced developers alike.

Design games and other apps with 2D graphics and animation
Create custom multi-media quizzes and study guides
Create a custom tour of your city, school, or workplace
Use an Android phone to control a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT robot
Build location-aware apps by working with your phone's sensors
Explore apps that incorporate information from the Web
Learn computer science as you build your apps

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Pro Android Python with SL4A Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been programming computers for about thirty years, but have just started programming on the Android platform in the last few months. I found this to be a great book that not only explains the SL4A (Scripting Layer for Android), but also provides a great primer for the underlying Android architecture. The book starts with an easy to understand explanation of the Android SDK & API, as well as the Eclipse development platform. The book covers the initial setup of the SDK under Windows & Linux. For my own development I am running Linux in Virtualbox, and while I was already setup, I found the setup instructions comprehensive. Adding SL4A to the phone took only a few minutes, and I was writing scripts to send SMS messages and do other cool things in just a few minutes more.
The book then delves into the SL4A platform (which offers a variety of languages in addition to Python). SL4A & Python also provide extensive access to the Android platform's wide range of features. I was especially impressed with the range of examples provided. One of the weaknesses I often find in programming books is that the examples can be contrived and not as helpful as they might be. This book provides great examples, and reading each one reinforces how much you can do with scripting.
In addition to the batch-like scripting, SL4A offers various dialog and HTML user interface options, and the book goes into what is necessary to provide these features. It concludes with a discussion of the steps needed to package your scripts for distribution.
My overall feeling about the book is favorable, and I can recommend it to anyone who wants to start Android development who has at least an intermediate level of programming experience.


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Pro Android Python with SL4A is for programmers and hobbyists who want to write apps for Android devices without having to learn Java first. Paul Ferrill leads you from installing the Scripting Layer for Android (SL4A) towriting small scripts, to more complicated and interesting projects, and finally to uploading and packaging your programs to an Android device. Android runs scripts in many scripting languages, but Python, Lua, and Beanshell are particularly popular. Most programmers know more than one programming language, so that they have the best tool for whatever task they want to accomplish. Pro Android Python with SL4A explores the world of Android scripting by introducing you to the most important open-source programming languages that are available on Android-based hardware. Pro Android Python with SL4A starts by exploring the Androidsoftware development kitand then shows you how to set up an Eclipse-based Android development environment. You then approach the world of Android programming by using Beanshell, which runs on the Dalvik, and learning how to write small programs to administer an Android device. Next, discover how Lua, a lightweight language perfectly suited for scripting on smaller devices, can work with Android. Lua can be used for small but important tasks, like SMS encryption and synchronizing photos with flickr. Last, but certainly not least, you will discover the world of Python scripting for SL4A, and the power contained within the full range of Python modules that can combine with the Android SDK. You'll learn to write small location-aware apps to get you started, but by the end of this book, you'll find yourself writing fully GUI-fied applications running on the Android desktop! Pro Android Python with SL4A is rounded out with a chapter on distributing and packaging scripts, a skill that you'll find very useful as you reach out to a wider audience with your programs.

What you'll learn
Understand the SL4A
Explore the Androidsoftware development kit
Write scripts to administer an Android phone
Write and execute full Python and applications
Learn how to write simple apps using Facades
Explore the full Android development process, from development to packaging

Who this book is for
This is a book for beginning and intermediate Android developers, and a book for anyone coding in Python, Lua or exploring Beanshell.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Getting Started with Android Scripting
Navigating the Android SDK
Developing Androids Scripts with Eclipse
Exploring the Android API
Background Scripting
Python Utilities
Python Dialog-Based GUIs
Python for GUI with WebUI
Packaging and Distributing Your Scripts

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A Simpler Guide to the best free Android Apps: 100+ apps to inform, entertain and organise Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)New users to Android will quickly realize that there is an absolute slush-pile of both free and paid apps out there that do everything from roll dice, to track your nutrition on the food you eat. With so many apps out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out what's good and what's garbage.
Enter this Guide.
I found this to be an informative, well laid out guide to free apps on Android that could save a new user not only hours of research, but also some major headaches in dealing with other apps that may be A) Not as good as the ones in this book or B) Not as secure.
The section on ratings and permissions at the beginning of the book I found to be most useful, especially for new users, as it does a great job of describing what the permissions are, and also what to look out for when downloading an app. Things that are important for a new user to know when first downloading apps. Dividing the permissions into color-coded categories is ingenious and will give users a good idea about those permissions without necessarily having to read the entire section word for word, making this a good reference guide.
The apps listed in the book are some of the best to be picked from in each category. You can be sure that if you are looking for something to handle a particular task, you'll be able to trust that the apps listed in this book will get the job done.
Any gripes? Not really. Some very minor formatting issues in the E-book, but this doesn't take away from the overall intention of the guide.
In the end, I think new users will be quite pleased with the information offered in this book, and existing users will find this to be a decent guide to apps for any purpose.

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Finding useful apps on the marketplace can be daunting. A Simpler Guide to the best free Android Apps is not just a list of over a hundred free Android Apps but contains summaries and a rating system which helps you decide whether you want to download an application or not.The book covers information on security, how to find more apps and discusses permissions. Each app has either a 0, red or green permissions rating based on the risk level of the permission requested. This means you can see at a glance what the ‘risk' is and get a feel for what is normal for a particular type of app. These permissions are explained at the beginning of the book to help in any future search in the ever expanding marketplace. A special section ‘For Children' contains apps especially suited for younger android users.

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Android Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is book is an excellent addition to the bookshelf of any serious android developer. Android Recipes is primarily geared toward an experienced android developer. However, even a beginning android developer (with a solid understanding of the Java programming language) will find it beneficial. What sets this book apart from most is its clear, concise explanations. I have tested and implemented many of the solutions in this book. After reading Chapter 5: Persisting Data, I was able to implement a content provider of my own in no time.
Pros: Clear, concise explanations of complex topics. Code examples available on-line.
Cons: NoneThis is the best android book I have read so far, and I definitely recommend it to anyone serious about Android development.

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Android continues to be one of the leading mobile OS and development platforms driving today's mobile innovations and the apps ecosystem. Androidappears 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 guides you step-by-step through a wide range of useful topics using complete and real-world working code examples. In this book, you'll start off with a recap of Android architecture and app fundamentals, and then get down to business and build an app with Google's Android SDK at the command line and Eclipse. Next, you'll learn how to accomplish practical tasks pertaining to the user interface, communications with the cloud, device hardware, data persistence, communications between applications, and interacting with Android itself. Finally, you'll learn how to leverage various libraries and Scripting Layer for Android (SL4A)to help you perform tasks more quickly, how to use the Android NDK to boost app performance, and how to design apps for performance, responsiveness, seamlessness, and more. 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. This can save you a great deal of work over creating a project from scratch!

What you'll learn
Discover Android architecture and various Android-specific APIs
How to develop a unit conversion app in the context of command-line/Android SDK and Eclipse/Android SDK environments
How to accomplish various tasks related to the user interface and more
How to use external libraries to save time and effort
How to quickly develop an app using the Scripting Layerfor Android (SL4A) tool
How to boost app performance by using the Android NDK
Guidelines for designing filtered apps, performant apps, responsive apps, and seamless apps

Who this book is for
Newcomers to Android, as well as more accomplished Android developers.

Table of Contents
Getting Started with Android
User Interface Recipes
Communications and Networking
Interacting with Device Hardware and Media
Persisting Data
Interacting with the System
Working with Libraries
Scripting Layer for Android
Android NDK
App Design Guidelines

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Droid Pocket Guide, The (2nd Edition) (Peachpit Pocket Guide) Review

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(More customer reviews)We are now staring to develop content for the Android Marketplace and I needed to catchup quick with what is possible on the Droid Operating system and its user interface. With this book I got a quick understanding of all that plus the multiple device form factors and was able to think through some design scenarios in front of a client with out looking stupid! Thanks Jason

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Here is your essential companion to the Android-powered Droid smartphone. The Droid Pocket Guide, Second Edition, steers you through how to:
Set up and quickly start using your Droid smartphone.
Make and receive calls and text messages.
Send email and synchronize your mail with your Gmail account.
Surf the Web with the built-in Android browser.
Search y our phone and the Web by voice.
Browse and download apps int he Android Marketi.
Find your place in the world, using the phone's GPS and Google Maps Navigation.
Keep track of your contacts and calendar--and, of course, sync your phone with your Google account.
Shoot and instantly review photos and videos with the built-in camera.

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ANDROID A PROGRAMMERS GUIDE Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had fairly low expectations from this book as the API is still in a state of flux, so if some of the examples needed tweaking that would have been alright. However, I could not even find any example code on the book's website as advertised on the back cover. This is a 400 page book so I expected to get at least some useful material from it, but the author does not even get past Hello World until over 100 pages. The material after that consists of repetitions of trivial code additions followed by regurgitation of the source. It would appear that the author was just trying to increase the page count with no real valuable content. There is no in-depth discussion of what Activities, Intents, etc. actually are or how they work. After this poor experience I went back to the online help and am finding it vastly more thorough and helpful. I would not recommend this book for any level of developer.

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Master the Android mobile development platform

Build compelling Java-based mobile applications using the Android SDK and the Eclipse open-source software development platform. Android: A Programmer's Guide shows you, step-by-step, how to download and set up all of the necessary tools, build and tune dynamic Android programs, and debug your results. Discover how to provide web and chat functions, interact with the phone dialer and GPS devices, and access the latest Google services. You'll also learn how to create custom Content Providers and database-enable your applications using SQLite.

Install and configure Java, Eclipse, and Android plugin

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Android Forensics: Investigation, Analysis and Mobile Security for Google Android Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As Brian Carrier is to file system forensics and Harlan Carvey is to Windows registry analysis, Andrew Hoog is to the Android operating system. The level of detail in this book demonstrates a deep understanding of this complex and unique operating system. Chapter 1 begins with an overview of both Android and Linux in general. Instructions are provided for creating a virtual machine environment so the reader can follow along with the examples in the book. Throughout, the reader is encouraged to follow along, and ample opportunities are provided. This is highly appreciated as most technical books overwhelm the reader with information rather than guide them along the way. Chapter 2 presents an overview of the hardware that is supported by the Android OS. Chapter 3 begins the discussion of the Android OS proper. Included in this chapter are instructions on augmenting the previously created VM with the Android SDK providing additional tools for use in analysis. Chapter 4 is devoted to discussing the file systems likely to be encountered in the Android environment. Special attention is paid to YAFFS and YAFFS2. Chapter 5 discusses securing the data within the device. Also presented are recommendations for securely using Android devices in an enterprise environment. Additional advice is given for both users and developers to limit the exposure of sensitive data. Chapter 6 covers the most significant portion of the book with instructions on acquiring the data from device. Logical and physical acquisitions from the handset as well as the removable storage are discussed. The issue of passcode circumvention is discussed along with potential solutions. Chapter 7 finishes with timeline analysis techniques for the YAFFS file system and the FAT file system. Additional locations of interest to both security researchers and forensic analysts are also presented. Overall the book is enjoyable to read and will be a valuable asset for both forensic analysts and researchers.

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The open source nature of the platform has not only established a new direction for the industry, but enables a developer or forensic analyst to understand the device at the most fundamental level. Android Forensics covers an open source mobile device platform based on the Linux 2.6 kernel and managed by the Open Handset Alliance. The Android platform is a major source of digital forensic investigation and analysis. This book provides a thorough review of the Android platform including supported hardware devices, the structure of the Android development project and implementation of core services (wireless communication, data storage and other low-level functions). Finally, it will focus on teaching readers how to apply actual forensic techniques to recover data.

Ability to forensically acquire Android devices using the techniques outlined in the book
Detailed information about Android applications needed for forensics investigations
Important information about SQLite, a file based structured data storage relevant for both Android and many other platforms.

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Android Application Development For Dummies Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm going to preface this review by saying that I have been programming for about 15 years, and have been working professionally as a developer for almost 3 years. My background is in VB, C#, Javascript, HTML, and even a little dabbling in C/C++. With that in mind, my Java knowledge was essentially everything I had learned from C# (which is very similar), and the tutorials on Google's Android development website. You could argue Javascript may help, but they're so different that I don't think it counts as experience.
I finished all of the tutorials on Google's site and still felt like I wasn't really grasping the concept of Android development. For those of you who have developed in C#/VB for Windows or Windows Mobile, you may understand what I mean when I say that going from something so straight-forward as using Visual Studio and .NET languages to something a little more complex and code-heavy like C++ or Java while using an unfamiliar IDE like Eclipse can be a little daunting at first. Google's tutorials, while full of great examples, don't really take the time to explain the "why" and then "what" of Android development, and instead have a more confusing approach of "Step 1: Type all this code in; Step 2: That code you just type does [this]; Step 3: Run your application".
The first half of this book is incredibly informative, and after reading only a couple short paragraphs on things I've already tried to learn and failed, I really understood it this time. The author's tone and descriptions make even the most complicated topics very easy to understand. The author also likes to commonly encourage the reader, writing that we are "experts", and making assumptions that we understand what we just read, even after it was some insanely complicated thing that was described in detail across four pages. It seems like this approach might be little odd, but I liked it. It kept my confidence up as I was reading.
The second half of the book, while also great, starts a little on the fast track. There are other reviews that mention this, and although I partially agree, it's also worth mentioning that a lot of the things that are flown through quickly come together a little later in the book. However, the pace does seem to go from a "one line at a time" methodology into a "type these 60 lines of code in and I'll explain it later" sort of teaching. While I don't prefer this, and I think it's a bit messy, the information IS there; it's just harder to soak it all in than it was in the first half of the book. The application you are building at the end is quite large, and I have tried to think of an easier way the author could have filled me with the knowledge instead of the approach taken, but I really couldn't think of a better way, mainly due to the way the code has to be written for the particular task at hand.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I think it was a great introduction to Android development, and is leaps and bounds above Google's documentation, at least for a beginner. I wish the book was a little longer, and I wish the author didn't frequently say things like "I could write an entire book on [subject], so I won't go into detail about this. If you want to learn more, read the documentation at [Google link]." For these reasons, I gave it four stars instead of five. The fundamentals do exist in this book, but I would have liked to have seen more.
I would recommend this book for anyone with any sort of programming background looking to get into Android development. I would probably not recommend it to someone who has no programming background whatsoever.


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The fun and friendly guide to creating applications on the Android platform
The popularity of the Android market is soaring with no sign of slowing down. The open nature of the Android OS offers programmers the freedom to access the platform's capabilities and this straightforward guide walks you through the steps for creating amazing Android applications. Android programming expert Donn Felker explains how to download the SDK, get Eclipse up and running, code Android applications, and submit your finished products to the Android Market. Featuring two sample programs, this introductory book explores everything from the simple basics to more advanced aspects of the Android platform.
Takes you soup through nuts of developing applications for the Android platform
Begins with downloading the SDK, then explains how to code Android applications and submit projects to the Android Market
Written by Android guru Donn Felker, who breaks every aspect of developing applications for the Android platform into easily digestible pieces

No matter your level of programming experience, Android Application Development For Dummies is an ideal guide for getting started with developing applications for the Android platform.

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Unlocking Android: A Developer's Guide Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a must have book for anybody doing Android development. It is definitely targeted at developers who are new to Android -- which describes most Android developers out there given what a new platform it is. However, the level of depth on many topics and the clarity provided behind many key concepts in Android are so well done that this book will benefit anyone working on Android applications.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section is called "What is Android? -- The Big Picture." I have to admit, I thought this might be fluff, but it is definitely not. The overview is good, but what the real value is the explanation on getting your development environment setup. This is something that many books fail to mention at all, as it can be a tricky topic to illustrate in a book. It is well done here, and can definitely be a big time save for new developers. More of this kind of "how to" material is also presented in the appendices.
The second part is called "Exercising the Android SDK" and is the real meat of the book. It takes a very practical, top-down approach to Android application development. It starts off by explaining UI concepts, then intents and services. It then dives into excellent detail on some of the key aspects of mobile application development: working with data, using the Internet, telephony, notifications, graphics, multimedia, and GPS. I would recommend that you immediately read the chapters 3-6 (UI, intents, services, data management, Internet) as these are really the building blocks of any mobile app that is not a game. The other chapters are great too, but you can probably read them as needed. Maybe you don't need GPS today, but need it three months from now. Just read chapter 11 at that time, and you will have no problem. The chapters are self-contained enough for this, while there is still a nice flow of thought between them as well.
The last part of the book is called "Android Applications." It starts off with a very nice example of creating a very "full" application. It really drives in all of the previous material, and is a veritable cookbook of sample code. There are a lot of clever little things you might want to do in your application that you can find an easy to follow sample of in this chapter. I found myself thinking "oh I'm going to rip this off and re-do some part of an existing app." The last chapter is title "Hacking Android" and is all about writing an application in C to run "closer to the metal" on Android. This is probably not that useful to most developers, but I imagine it would be invaluable if you actually did need to do something like this. If nothing else, it is a good read and reveals fascinating aspects of Android's internals. It certainly demonstrates the technical mastery of the authors.

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Android is a free, open source, Java-based mobile platform developed by Google. Unlocking Android prepares the reader to embrace the Android mobile platform in easy-to-understand language and builds on this foundation with reusable Java code examples. It's ideal for corporate developers and hobbyists who have an interest, or a mandate, to deliver mobile software.

The book first covers the big picture so the reader can get comfortable with the Android approach to the mobile applications. Then the reader learns to apply Android by following the many practical examples. The book concludes with two deep and hands-on examples.

Unlocking Android addresses the Android application framework, its graphical capabilities and media support, data storage, communications capabilities, phone interactions, and notifications.

Unlocking Android covers Android SDK 1.x

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Flash Mobile: Developing Android and iOS Applications (Visualizing the Web) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am a Flash developer for a well recognized Flash development firm. I am currently developing apps for the iPad using the iPhone packager. This book is the most basic one I have read from all three books that are out there in the market for IOS development using Flash. I think at the time the author wrote the book, he did not understand the underlying problems you face when trying to deploy AIR-based apps into the iOS environment. I believe you should buy the Dolce or Wagner books as they seem to know what the basic limitations are on the iPhone Packager for Flash.

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Build rich media applications for the iOS and Android platforms with this primer to Flash mobile development. You get all of the essentials-from setting up your development environment to publishing your apps to the Google Market Place/Apple iTunes App Store.

Develop elementary applications without coding; then realize the power of ActionScript 3 to add rich complexity to your applications. Step-by-step instruction is combined with practical tutorial lessons to deliver a working understanding of the development stages including:


*Rapid prototyping *Adding interactivity, audio, and video *Employing iOS and Android Interface Calls*Hardware optimization with AIR *Game development; game engines, controlling physics, and 3D *Designing for iPad, Android tablets, and Google TV *Code optimization, testing, and debugging


User interfaces are presented in full color to illustrate their nuances. The companion website, www.visualizetheweb/flashmobile, includes all of the AS3 code, project files, and a blog to keep you up to date with related news and developments.


*Publication within weeks of Adobe's release of the Android packaging utilities *Full-color illustrations of UI and design implementations *Companion website with tutorial media and author forum

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Pro Android 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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.


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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.

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HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Mobile Development For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)If it were 2002, this book perhaps would be a fit. Great introduction of HTML 5 and CSS3 (and I mean Introduction). For a book just coming out: No mention of jquery, or any other framework that, yes are surfacing, but been around long enough for the author to know about them. Not even Dreamweaver's Jquery Mobile upgrade. Ordered several books this was the last to come. Like I said, the design elements are fitting for old school design. Sending back tomorrow?

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Learn to build and optimize attractive, functional web sites for smartphones
Today, mobile devices outnumber desktop and laptop computers three to one. Skill in developing web sites that work on mobile devices is in demand, and this friendly, step-by-step guide shows how to build and optimize sites using HTML5 and other standard web development tools.Building web sites that work for all types of smartphones and tablets, including iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and BlackBerry devices is a skill much in demand as mobile devices outpace both desktop and laptop computers, and this book gets you started.
Guides you through creating and optimizing mobile sites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Covers HTML5, WebKit extensions, platform variations, accommodating different browsers, security issues, and making mobile sites richer with Flash, graphics, and video
Includes code for differences in mobile app design and navigation, including touch devices

HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Mobile Web Development For Dummies makes it easy to start developing great sites for mobile devices.

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Android Wireless Application Development (2nd Edition) (Developer's Library) Review

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(More customer reviews)This books list many code examples, but it lacks in explanation. The examples are good for understanding what is possible in Android. The beginning the book has a good introduction chapter that can get you started in Android programming. But then it goes on wasting a lot of space with xml and code listings and not focusing on explaining the essentials. It is not a bad book but i miss a little more information on how to put everything together into a real working application. There is a chapter on best practices but it only gives very general information.
Before buying the book you might just download the examples from the book website first.


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The start-to-finish guide to Android application development: massively updated for the newest SDKs and developer techniques!This book delivers all the up-to-date information, tested code, and best practices you need to create and market successful mobile apps with the latest versions of Android. Drawing on their extensive experience with mobile and wireless development, Lauren Darcey and Shane Conder cover every step: concept, design, coding, testing, packaging, and delivery. The authors introduce the Android platform, explain the principles of effective Android application design, and present today's best practices for crafting effective user interfaces. Next, they offer detailed coverage of each key Android API, including data storage, networking, telephony, location-based services, multimedia, 3D graphics, and hardware.Every chapter of this edition has been updated for the newest Android SDKs, tools, utilities, and hardware. All sample code has been overhauled and tested on leading devices from multiple companies, including HTC, Motorola, and ARCHOS. Many new examples have been added, including complete new applications. This new edition also addsNine new chapters covering web APIs, the Android NDK, extending application reach, managing users, data synchronization, backups, advanced user input, and more Greatly expanded coverage of Android manifest files, content providers, app design, and testing New coverage of hot topics like Bluetooth, gestures, voice recognition, App Widgets, live folders, live wallpapers, and global search Updated 3D graphics programming coverage reflecting OpenGL ES 2.0 An all-new chapter on tackling cross-device compatibility issues, from designing for the smallest phones to the big new tablets hitting the market Even more tips and tricks to help you design, develop, and test applications for different devices A new appendix full of Eclipse tips and tricksThis book is an indispensable resource for every member of the Android development team: software developers with all levels of mobile experience, team leaders and project managers, testers and QA specialists, software architects, and even marketers.

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Droid X: The Missing Manual Review

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(More customer reviews)The Droid X is one of the latest smart phones to use Google's Android Operating System (OS). While I love Google's products, they're not the most user friendly, especially when it comes to super technical devices. This is where Droid X The Missing Manual comes in. It covers in detail all the major features of the phone including calling, texting, web, apps, maps, calendars and much more. Preston tells you what to press and when to press it, including what issues you may have along the way. Unless you are extremely tech savvy and happy to make mistakes, this book is a wise purchase and a time saver.
However, this book comes to market relatively late for a phone that has been out for 8 months. By now many people (including myself) have muddled their way through Droid's various features. If you've had the phone for more than 3-4 months then much of the information will be redundant to you. I found the most helpful sections to be the tip boxes, often finding quicker ways to perform day to day tasks, while the bulk of the text reaffirmed my experiences. I can highly recommend this book for new users, less so for the Droid initiated.

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Get the most from your Droid X right away with this entertaining Missing Manual. Veteran tech author Preston Gralla offers a guided tour of every feature, with lots of expert tips and tricks along the way. You'll learn how to use calling and texting features, take and share photos, enjoy streaming music and video, and much more.

Packed with full-color illustrations, this engaging book covers everything from getting started to advanced features and troubleshooting. Unleash the power of Motorola's hot new device with Droid X: The Missing Manual.

Get organized. Import your contacts and sync with Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange.
Go online. Get your phone to act as a portable hotspot or as a modem to get your laptop online.
Play music. Purchase music from Amazon and sync your Droid X with Windows Media Player and iTunes.
Shoot photos and video. Edit and share your photos, and use them as desktop or icon images. Record video and share it with your friends.
Connect to Google Maps. Use geotagging and get turn-by-turn directions.

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Building Android Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Review

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(More customer reviews)I had bought an iPad when they were first announced. I had the expressed intention of creating some very specific apps; I did not need Wired Magazine to tell me that mobile apps are the future.
My plans were delayed by Apple's delay in releasing a new iPad OS. I didn't want to waste a lot of time struggling with things in the original OS that might become easier in the next.
I'd rather not struggle at all. As I have gotten older, the thrill of twisting C and C++ to my will is far less alluring than it used to be. Honestly, there is no allure left at all: I saw learning the Apple API as an onerous but necessary task. I was not looking forward to it.
Then this book arrived and opened my eyes. Yes, there is that "Android" in the title, but this is really about building device agnostic apps and I saw that long before the author off handedly mentioned iPhones in Chapter 7. Yeah, baby - if you think I was reluctant to learn Apple API's, well, that's nothing compared to how I feel about futzing around with Java to drive Android stuff. No thank you. But CSS and Javascript? That's different.
Not that I still don't have a learning curve. I have done very little with CSS or Javascript because of browser quirks. I realized that Jquery could smooth a lot of that out for me, but I just did not have enough of a need to invest any time learning that either. Mobile apps provides that incentive.
This book opened my eyes to a lot of possibilities I was just not aware of. For example, I did not know about the Web SQL Database abilities in HTML5. The author said that rocked his world; well, it rocked mine also.
I am looking forward to sitting down and playing with the ideas this book has exposed me to. This really changes my plans, and this is one case where I am very happy to veer off course. Jquery, here I come!

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If you know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you already have the tools you need to develop Android applications. This hands-on book shows you how to use these open source web standards to design and build apps that can be adapted for any Android device -- without having to use Java.

You'll learn how to create an Android-friendly web app on the platform of your choice, and then convert it to a native Android app with the free PhoneGap framework. Discover why device-agnostic mobile apps are the wave of the future, and start building apps that offer greater flexibility and a broader reach.

Learn the basics for making a web page look great on the Android web browser
Convert a website into a web application, complete with progress indicators and more
Add animation with jQTouch to make your web app look and feel like a native Android app
Take advantage of client-side data storage with apps that run even when the Android device is offline
Use PhoneGap to hook into advanced Android features -- including the accelerometer, geolocation, and alerts
Test and debug your app on the Web under load with real users, and then submit the finished product to the Android Market
This book received valuable community input through O'Reilly's Open Feedback Publishing System (OFPS). Learn more at http://labs.oreilly.com/ofps.html.

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