Template:Lilug Meeting 2009 04

From LILUG

Meeting Place & Time

April 14th @ 8:00pm at Farmingdale State College, 150 Whitman Hall

Topic: Brian Gupta & Nathan Freitas on an overview of Android Mobile Platform(Google phone)

Android is a fully integrated and open source bundle of software significantly lowers the current costs of developing mobile devices (currently runs on a cellphone (the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1), and a number of unofficial “ports”. It consists of an operating system, middleware, a user-friendly interface and powerful applications.

The talk will start with a review of the internal architecture of the Android platform, breaking down the various components, and examine how they work. Then we will review the latest status of the open source project, including how to get and build the source code, and how to get involved.

At this point there will be a short session introducing application development on the Android platform, walking through the open-source tool chain, including the command line tools and the Eclipse.org IDE based environment. The core application components will be broken down, including the XML-based formats for resources and user interface design. The required “Hello, World!” app will be shown, along with a more complex “Geo Report” app which utilizes more advanced features such as GPS location and the Camera. Finally, application deployment either via the Android Market or through direct web or physical distribution will be demonstrated.

Finally, we will cover hacking the phone. This will include how to “get root” on the phone, and how to build and/or install custom firmware. (And why you might want to do so). Also for those Debian fans in the audience we will touch on the status of Debian on the G1.

If there is time after the meeting Brian will be willing to help people “get root” their phones.

More Information:

   * Android site
   * The Android FAQ
   * Open Handset Alliance
   * Android Market (ie: “app store”)

About Brian Gupta: Brian Gupta is an advocate of open source software and participates and contributes to a number of open source projects and communities in and outside of the New York area. Brian is also a big fan of the mobile computing. (Having owned over 20 PDA/smartphones/pocket computers in his lifetime.) Brian helps moderate and colaunched the #androidnyc channel on irc.freenode.net. Brian also lead creation of “the FAQ” and collected most of the questions and answers. Brian is currently leading a five man consulting team that offers remote sysadmin and dba services. (http://www.brandorr.com)

About Nathan Freitas: Nathan Freitas has been writing code since he was eight and hasn’t stopped looking for problems to solve ever since. A lifelong mobile technology enthusiast, his career has included work on DARPA-funded research projects, popular consumer products, award-winning digital art pieces and groundbreaking technology for activists and organizers.