April 2012 presentation to DC Droids

1. Android Hardware
That's A Little Bit...
Odd
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2. The F Word
● Complexity: Predictable Differences
– Different resource sets
– Different hardware features (<uses-feature>)
● Fragmentation: Unpredictable Differences
– Device bugs
– Vendors who cheat
– Un-Play-able devices
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3. Play, CDD, and the CTS
● Requirements for Google Play
– Option #1
● Meet the Compatibility Definition Document (CDD)
● Pass the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS)
– Option #2
● Piracy!
– Option #3
● Just Say No
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4. Examples
● Google TV
– Complexity more than fragmentation
● Original Galaxy Tab 7”
– Fragmentation: claimed to be a phone but could
not dial
● Odd Devices
– Fragmentation!
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5. Kindle Fire
● Amazon
● Most Popular Odd Device
– Millions sold in just a few months
● 7”, 1024x600, Android 2.3
● Price: $199
– No significant eBay discount
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6. Kindle Fire
● Notable Limitations
– No camera, GPS, Bluetooth, microphone
– Nothing Googly: Play, Google Maps, C2DM, etc.
– Menu Bar
● Reminiscent of system bar in Honeycomb
● Contains the HOME, BACK, and MENU buttons
● Comes and goes
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7. Kindle Fire
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8. Kindle Fire
● Development Tools
– Nothing special from Amazon
– Create a standard 2.3.3 emulator image and
tinker with settings to make resemble Fire
● Problem: emulator thinks -xlarge, not -large
– Standard hardware setup
● Windows: need drivers
● OS X/Linux: adjust adb_usb.ini
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9. Kindle Fire
● Distribution Options
– Amazon Appstore for Android
● Also gets your app to phones, etc.
– Download from Web
– Side-loading
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10. Blackberry Playbook
● Research In Motion
● Not especially popular
● 7”, 1024x600, Android 2.3
– Catch: Android run in virtualization!
● Price: $500
– < $200 on eBay
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11. Blackberry Playbook
● Notable Limitations
– No Bluetooth
– No SIP, text-to-speech, task management APIs
– No Ogg Vorbis, AMR, H.263, other formats
– Nothing Googly
– Odd navigation
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12. Blackberry Playbook
● Development Process
– Validate your APK
– Convert your APK into a BAR
– Sign and distribute the BAR
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13. Blackberry Playbook
● Development Tools
– Eclipse plug-in (Windows, OS X)
– Browser-based packager (Windows, OS X + Java
applet)
– Command-line tools (Windows, OS X, Linux)
– Simulator
● Playbook in a VMWare image for testing
● Windows, OS X
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14. Blackberry Playbook
● Distribution Options
– Blackberry App World
– Awkward side-loading
– No download support natively
● Some community hacks for this
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15. NOOK Tablet
● Barnes & Noble
● It and NOOK Color predecessor reasonably
popular
● 7”, 1024x600, Android 2.3
● Price: $199
– No significant discount on eBay
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16. NOOK Tablet
● Notable Limitations
– Claims to be -xlarge when really -large
– No camera, Bluetooth, location tracking
– Nothing Googly
– Odd HOME button
– No text-to-speech
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17. NOOK Tablet
● Development Tools
– Official SDK Add-ons
● Install via SDK Manager
● Provides emulators for NOOK Color, NOOK Tablet
– Restricted Development on Hardware
● Must provide US tax ID and US bank account to get
credentials to allow deployment to a device
● Last set of workarounds closed off by firmware
update
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18. NOOK Tablet
● Distribution Options
– Barnes & Noble Storefront
– No side-loading
– No download from Web
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19. WIMM One
● WIMM Labs
● Not widely distributed, awaiting OEM deals
● 35mm wearable
● Price: $199
– None found on eBay
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20. WIMM One
● Notable Limitations
– Substantially different programming model
● Mix of Android APIs and custom WIMM APIs
– Severe limitations on input, power consumption,
UI patterns
– Limited Internet access
● WiFi, possible tethering
– Nothing Googly
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21. WIMM One
● Development Tools
– SDK add-on, not installed via SDK Manager
– Custom emulator image
– Standard hardware setup
● Windows: USB drivers
● OS X/Linux: adb_usb.ini and udev adjustments
● Uses a dock for connection to development machine
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22. WIMM One
● Distribution Options
– WIMM's app store
– Sideloading
– No download option
– Long-term: OEM deals
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23. EPSON Moverio
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24. Why Bother?
● Specific Itch to Scratch
– You bought one
– Your friend, boss, etc. bought one (or more)
– Your client bought one (or more)
– Your user base is begging for it
– You have a specific use for one
● Prototype for future (e.g., military-grade
wearable)
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25. Why Bother?
● Playing the Niche Card
– Fire, NOOKs have significant user bases and
smaller app markets
– Less competition may mean more sales despite
smaller user base
● “The bestselling NOOK Apps have grossed over
$100,000 in the first 30 days of sale”
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26. The Future
● Three Principal Types of Hardware
– Conventional Android Devices
● Supports Google Play, passes CDD/CTS
– “Control Freak” Manufacturers
● E.g., today's “odd devices”
● Do not support Google Play, have limitations
– True OEM Model
● Designed to have custom firmware loaded
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