Chapter 1. Introducing Android

In this chapter

  • Android in a nutshell
  • Writing a Hello Android app
  • Android’s Java and Linux roots
  • Native libraries and other tools

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.

Philip K. Dick

Today, mobile phones are everywhere. They’re more prevalent than personal computers. They’ve replaced our watches, calculators, cameras, MP3 players, and often our means of internet access. They also provide capabilities such as GPS navigation, motion and gesture interfaces, social networking, and an indescribably broad array of “apps” that mix and match many features. With all of this, it’s easy to see why mobile devices are popular.

The technology behind mobile devices has advanced rapidly. ...

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