android hardware that's a little bit... odd
DESCRIPTION
April 2012 presentation to DC DroidsTRANSCRIPT
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Android Hardware That's A Little Bit...
Odd
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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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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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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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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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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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Kindle Fire
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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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Kindle Fire
● Distribution Options– Amazon Appstore for Android
● Also gets your app to phones, etc.
– Download from Web– Side-loading
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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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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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Blackberry Playbook
● Development Process– Validate your APK– Convert your APK into a BAR– Sign and distribute the BAR
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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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Blackberry Playbook
● Distribution Options– Blackberry App World– Awkward side-loading– No download support natively
● Some community hacks for this
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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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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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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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NOOK Tablet
● Distribution Options– Barnes & Noble Storefront– No side-loading– No download from Web
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WIMM One
● WIMM Labs● Not widely distributed, awaiting OEM deals● 35mm wearable● Price: $199
– None found on eBay
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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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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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WIMM One
● Distribution Options– WIMM's app store– Sideloading– No download option– Long-term: OEM deals
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EPSON Moverio
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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-gradewearable)
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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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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