InfoWorld has been all over this week's official launch of Android, the new smartphone platform from Google. With its slick interface and open application platform, Android shows every sign of giving Apple's iPhone a run for its money when the first phones begin shipping in late October.
As my colleague Tom Yager points out, however, "If you can't get coders on board, you're sunk." A smartphone that never expands beyond the capabilities that it shipped with is hardly worth the price. Smartphone vendors, like any OS vendor, must rely on healthy developer ecosystems to keep their platforms thriving and competitive. Apple has definitely succeeded in this area if the reports of big payoffs at the iPhone App Store are to be believed. Will Android be able to match that success?
Google released version 1.0 of the Android SDK to coincide with the product launch on Tuesday, while Apple has had an active developer program for the iPhone for some time. With real-world Android phones just a few weeks away, I decided now would be a good time to compare the development environments for these two platforms. Which is the smartest bet for developers?
Platform hopping
Getting hold of the Android SDK was simple enough. It's available to anyone as a free download, provided they agree to a fairly straightforward license. Google offers prepackaged versions for Windows XP and Vista, Linux, and Mac OS X.
By comparison, developing apps for the iPhone requires a Mac -- and a recent Mac, to boot. The current version of the iPhone SDK only works on Intel-based machines running Mac OS X 10.5.4 or later. Even then, you can't download it unless you're an ADC (Apple Developer Connection) subscriber. The free membership level will do, but you'll still have to agree to a strict 10-page license before Apple will allow you to distribute any apps you create with the SDK.
For your trouble, you will get Xcode, Interface Builder, and Instruments, the same Apple proprietary developer tools that you'd use to write applications for Mac OS X. If you're accustomed to that environment already, this will come as welcome news. If you're not, there will be a learning curve.
The standard IDE for Android, on the other hand, is Eclipse, which has seemingly become the de facto development environment for just about every platform other than Mac OS X and Windows. Google provides a plug-in that does a good job of integrating the Android tools with Eclipse, including a software emulator to test builds of your apps.
If you'd prefer not to use Eclipse, however, you can actually perform most of the same tasks with command-line tools. This can be useful if you want to use automated build systems, such as ant. What's more, it leaves a path open for third parties to develop plug-ins for other IDEs; for example, Undroid is a beta plug-in that integrates the Android SDK with NetBeans.
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D-Link Australia & New Zealand
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Featured Products
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IP BASED PHONE SYSTEM
D-Link VoiceCenter
D-Link VoiceCenter is an IP based phone system designed to meet the needs of small businesses. D-Link have solely partnered with Microsoft to package Microsoft’s Response Point software to bring you VoiceCenter. For more info on VoiceCenter's products and events please visit: http://voicecenter.dlink.com.au -
AWARD WINNING STORAGE
DNS-343 4-Bay NAS Enclosure
D-Links new 4-bay network attached storage enclosure has just received ZDNet's Editor's Choice award and a rating of 9 out of 10 by Craig Simms from CNET See the review here. The DNS-343 release followed the great success of its smaller sibling the 2-bay DNS-323. Targeted at both the home IT enthusiast and commercial users needing a flexible storage solution the DNS-343 is showing good market performance. -
EVERY BUSINESS NEEDS ONE
DSA-3600 Multi-Service Gateway
Any business that’s serious about networking must consider installing this gateway. Feature rich the DSA-3600 multi-service business gateway is a complete network solution that delivers reliable and cost-effective services to SMB and enterprise branch offices. Perfect for setting up a commercial grade wireless connection for the office the unit is simple and easy to manage. -
WI-FI FOR MOBILE WORK SITES
DIR-451 Mobile 3G Router
Perfect for mobile and temporary work-sites the mobile 3G router quickly and easily can connect your site back to the office. Recently the United States Air Force has used D-Link Mobile 3G routers on its remote base camps to connect soldiers with other Air Force departments, local agencies, friends and families. To see the complete case study click here.
New Products
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XTREME
N DUO ROUTER -
DIR-855
The highly anticipated simultaneous broadcasting dual band wireless N router has arrived. The DIR-855 is set to make massive waves and take home/SOHO wireless networking to a new generation. Unlike other networking manufacturers who promote dual band the new DIR-855 will provide users simultaneous dual band wireless networks, opening up another range of opportunities for wireless networking. - DUAL BAND USB ADAPTER
DWA-160 Xtreme N USB Wi-Fi
The new dual band wireless N USB adapter is ideal for simultaneous dual band environments. For example in apartment buildings where there are heavily congested 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or at the home stream HD video over the network and making VoIP calls at the same time.
Coming Soon
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WI-FI ACCESS POINT/BRIDGE
DAP-1522 Xtreme N Duo
A new addition to the Xtreme N family this wireless N access point/bridge effectively doubles available wireless bandwidth. Designed for users looking to get a true wireless connection that can handle multiple High-Definition video streaming throughout the house it can take the home network to a new level. - GOT NAKED DSL
DVA-G3670B ADSL2+ Wireless G VoIP Modem Router
Naked DSL customers now have the perfect feature rich product solution the DVA-G3670B to take advantage of naked DSL features. This ADSL2+ (naked DSL compatible) modem Wireless G router comes with 2 VoIP phone connections and is ideal for the growing market who don't want to pay the unnecessary line rental fee. Ultimately this unit is an ideal all-in-one home network solution and even SOHO small business solution.
Download
- Product Selection Guide Issue 3, 08 (3.2MB PDF)
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Case Studies
- DIR-451 Mobile 3G Router - United States Air Force Case Study (104K PDF)
- IP Based Surveillance - Minneapolis Airport Hangar Case Study (180K PDF)
- Commercial Grade Wireless - Four Points Sheraton Hotel Case Study (300K PDF)
- Business Class Switching - Microsoft Campus Case Study (800K PDF)
- High Bandwidth Networking Solution - Team Emirates New Zealand Case Study (751K PDF)
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Watch videos about D-Link products and much morehttp://www.dlinktv.com
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Buying Guides
Buying Guides
