Introduction
There was a time when Google developer conferences revolved around Google Maps, web toolkit, etc. But from the last conference the leading role was in Android, and Chrome in that order. Perhaps the enormous opportunity that rests in smartphones has sunk deep into Google. A fact recognized by Larry Page himself when he joked that he would like to run the company through his smartphone.
Google has sought to integrate its other products with Android and update them on Android without having to update Android to match in compatibility.
updates
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Android aficionados see a silver lining in limited Android updates. Blogs are full of how features introduced starting with this edition don’t necessarily require an update to the operating system. It provides fodder for compromise, as the basic premise for upgrading an operating system is to allow it to play all apps, whether old or futuristic. The various versions and configurations (from individual mobile hardware companies like Samsung, HTC, Sony, etc.) of Android were creating considerable firewalls for updating even Google’s proprietary apps; applications that provide the quintessential Android experience. Google, through its feature update, effectively tackles the fragmentation issue, as Google+, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Play, the apps that are present in Android from Froyo versions onwards, as well as Google Music All Access that will be introduced now, can reside in Froyo Versions onwards without the need for an update. It looks like the fragmentation issue has been fixed hopefully.
android Study: This update has the Android name stamped on it! That is, it is specific to Android. The news is that Google plans to introduce Android Studio to replace the existing Eclipse development environment for Android apps. Google collaborated with JetBrains to create Android Studio. Of course, this development has some loose ends to tie up, but Google feels that this IDE, when released, would help Android developers increase their productivity. This is how it could help:
- Combine the capabilities of Maven and Ant to create flexible and varied solutions.
- Excellent code editing capabilities, including searching for online resources and Android-specific customizations. It is powered by the advanced editor user interface that allows drag and drop widgets, simulate output view on different hardware configurations, and even preview while editing in XML.
- Provides deep analytical capability to identify all types of errors
- It provides wizards based on preset templates and also access to other Google services.
- Provides easy project migration from Eclipse (as export) or import to Studio (from existing Eclipse IDE projects).
Google, like the Android operating system, has made Android Studio free and open source, which might just be the sweetener.
Google Play: Android developers can use Google Play services to get the desired APIs to build maps, games or social networks (read Google+) on Android devices (mobiles or tablets).
Gaming: Entertainment is moving to portable devices on a massive scale, prioritizing providing the same user experience as on the PC/game console. Google has improved the user experience by introducing the following features:
- Leaderboards: A maximum of 100 leaderboards, both public and social, are provided to allow developers to interact with users by allowing them to compare scores with other players. Leaderboards are automatically created for daily, weekly, monthly or custom versions.
- Reward System – Developers can reward users for participating in the game by providing standard or incremental achievements that can be viewed in a user interface. They can use developer consoles to control achievements.
- Google provides cloud storage APIs to save game state and settings in the cloud.
- The developers can allow users to invite other players to the game or play with random users with a maximum limit of 4.
Google makes it easy to develop location-aware apps by providing the following APIs:
Geolocation API: This API is used to define geographic boundaries. It also provides the following options:
- to create alert filters for customers leaving a particular area
- modify location updates in response to the locomotion habit (such as walking, biking, or driving) of the client (see Activity Acknowledgment API)
- add or remove geographic boundaries
Fused Location Provider: This API uses an underlying schema to provide the appropriate results for your location query, even complex-level queries. It’s fast, versatile and uses less battery.
Activity Recognition Provider– This API uses power sensors to detect the current activity of the customer, for example, driving, walking, idling, etc. This is used in conjunction with the Geofencing API to provide the appropriate updates to the client.
Single sign-on via Google+: Taking into account the fact that users change mobile devices frequently and that these devices can run different operating systems, Google provides the API to sign in via Google+ on any device. This removes the need to make services like Google Wallet, Games, Plus device-specific. There are libraries for these services that respond to the auto-sign request using their method.
Google Cloud Messaging: Google has made it possible to register applications using its Unique Method. It also provides messaging to third-party servers through its two-way messaging (XMPP) using Cloud Connection Server. Users can sync notifications between devices using the Google APIs for user notification.
Google Play Developer Console: Google has been supporting its huge community of Android developers and this year’s conference added a boost.
Application translation service: Google’s localization support team allows you to take advantage of translation services for a nominal fee and publish strings that will be translated into the language of your choice. If necessary, request the appropriate localization sting in the app’s graphics, APK, or About Product sections. This ultimately helps developers reach a larger audience.
Analysis and monetization: Tracking the performance of an application becomes easier. Google Play and Google Analytics provide complementary services such as app views and downloads and engagement metrics.
Google has introduced the Order Status API to allow developers to view the order status of an application from their servers. It has also decided not to charge test accounts for test in-app purchases.
Alpha and beta testing and phased implementations: Google has added alpha-beta testing to allow developers to split their apps into two versions, alpha and beta, and test them for different groups of users. If necessary, testers from Google+ can also be added to test these versions.
From now on, developers can only roll out updates to their apps for a batch of users to evaluate their feedback. Developers can set the percentage of users who would use the update.
Verdict
Perhaps for those expecting Android to just sing at Google I/O 2013, it could be a deterrent. But for those familiar with the maverick that is Google, they will attest to the shrewd way in which it has behaved to please the Android community. Updates to Google Play, its services, the release of Android Studio, cloud messaging, and the ability to sign in to Google services without operating system or hardware requirements are all significant changes to the game. In short, it is about updating functions without the need to update OS.
Google’s 2013 I/O was an Android winner, in a very quiet way!
*Android= An Android fanatic who uses it anytime, anywhere!