Pro Android 3 shows you how to build real-world and fun mobile applications using the Android 3.0 software development kit. It covers everything from the fundamentals of building apps for embedded devices, phones, and tablets to advanced concepts such as custom 3D components and multi-tasking.

Using the tutorials and expert advice, you'll quickly be able to build cool mobile apps and run them on dozens of Android-based smartphones. You'll explore and use the Android APIs, including those for media and sensors. And you'll check out what's new with Android 3.0, including the improved user interface across all Android platforms, integration with WebM, and more, giving you the knowledge to create stunning, cutting-edge apps, while keeping you agile enough to respond to changes in the future.

What you'll learn

• How to use Android to build Java-based mobile applications for Google phones with a touch screen or keyboard
• How to design and implement irresistible user interfaces for touchscreens with Views and layouts
• How to populate your application with data from data sources, using content providers
• How to create 3D graphics with OpenGL and custom components
• How to build multimedia and game apps using Android's media APIs and OpenGL
• How to use Android's location-based services, network-based services, and security
• How to use new Android 3.0 features, such as Fragments and the ActionBar

Who this book is for

This book is for professional software engineers/programmers looking to move their ideas and applications into the mobile space with Android. It assumes a passable understanding of Java, including how to write classes and handle basic inheritance structures.

• Introducing the Android Computing Platform
• Setting up your Development Environment
• Understanding Resources
• Understanding Content Providers
• Understanding Intents
• Building User Interfaces and Using Controls
• Adding Menus
• Implementing Dialogs
• Working with Preferences and Saving State
• Security and Permissions
• Working with Services
• Exploring Packages, Processes, and Library Projects
• Exploring Processes, Components, Threads, and Handlers
• Exploring Broadcast Receivers and Long Running Services
• Exploring the Alarm Manager
• Unveiling 2D Animation
• Exploring Maps and Location Services
• Using the Telephony APIs
• Understanding the Media Frameworks
• Programming 3D Graphics with OpenGL
• Exploring Live Folders
• Home Screen Widgets and Live Wallpaper
• Android Search
• Exploring Text to Speech and the Google Translate API
• Touchscreens
• Using Sensors
• Understanding the Contact API
• Deploying your Application: Android Market and Beyond
• Fragments
• Action Bar
• Selected Topics in Android 3.0