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Google Android confirmed for 4th Quarter

Posted on August 19, 2008 by Nick. Posted in java.

Google have announced today the availability of the 0.9 version of the Android SDK. This was done via the Google Android developer blog. Part of the announcement though was the confirmation of the android devices in the fourth quarter of 2008. This comes right after the FCC approved the HTC Dream.

Here is Google’s statement:
Since then, we’ve been working with our Open Handset Alliance partners to incorporate much of that feedback, and finish the first devices. Since those devices are shipping in the fourth quarter, the platform is now converging on a final “Android 1.0″ version.

The 0.9 SDK brings about a ton of new stuff:

  • The new Home screen is included, along with a ton of UI changes for 1.0.
  • Some new applications are also included: an Alarm Clock, Calculator, Camera, Music player, Picture viewer, and Messaging (for SMS/MMS conversations.)
  • Several new development tools were added, such as a graphical preview for XML layouts for users of Eclipse, and a tool for constructing 9-patch images.
  • The source of the now-obsolete version from the M5 early-look SDK.
  • A number of new APIs are fleshed out and improved, and others are now close to their final forms for 1.0.
  • Tons of bugs were fixed, of course. (If you had problems with the MediaPlayer, try it now!)

So Google are trying to win back the developers after the terrible SDK mishap, when only the top 50 developers (Android Developer Challenge) were granted access to the “new” SDK while the rest of the community was left out in the dark. I wonder if it won’t be too late now that the iPhone is about to be rolled out in 21 new countries (22nd August).

UPDATE: The new SDK unfortunately no longer includes a number of APIs such as GTalkService (for security reasons), and the Bluetooth API. Quote: Due to significant API changes in the upstream open-source project and due to the timeline of getting certain Bluetooth profile implementations certified, a comprehensive Bluetooth API will not be possible or present in Android 1.0

Cheers…