Google lays out Android roadmap, devs scheduled to get more love

Google feels really badly about that several month-long stretch where it kept any and all updates to its Android SDK out of the public limelight, developers, honest, but it wants to make it up to you. It seems that yesterday's 0.9 release, which represented the first official SDK available with a platform even remotely resembling what Google intends to release on retail devices this fall, was just the first in a string of goings-on leading up to the grand 1.0 launch in the coming months according to a new roadmap published on the Android site. To start, there'll be "additional Android 1.0 (pre) SDK releases made available, as necessary" in September, followed by the first 1.0-compatible release in the Q3 to Q4 timeframe (that's any time between now and the end of December, for you calendar-disadvantaged folk). Finally, the Android source will leak out in the fourth quarter along with the first "Android 1.0 devices" -- pay special attention to the plural "devices" there -- and an announcement about Android Developer Challenge II. It gives us a warm fuzzy to see that Google's interested in keeping its devs engaged with these contests on an ongoing basis, because let's be honest: "prize money" has a much nicer ring to it than "VC money" ever will.

[Via Talk Android]

[Programmer @ Aug 19th 2008 12:44PM]

Before the release of the iPhone, Apple was smart allowing developers all the information they needed to enhance their software for the iPhone. Google needs to wake up if they plan to be successful with their software.

[Phoenix @ Aug 19th 2008 12:48PM]

You mean with the release of iPhone 2.0. When the OS had been out for a year and had already been thoroughly hacked.

[nohone @ Aug 19th 2008 3:29PM]

Either you were trying to be funny and I missed it, or this is the biggest case of an Apple fanboy revising history ever seen - and that is saying a lot.

When the iPhone was originally released, The Most Holy Steve Jobs told everybody about this wonderous new development platform technology that Apple invented called Web pages. And you could use a thing called a Web Browser built right into the iPhone to view these Web pages. And the Apple fans went crazy, it was all you would ever need, and everything else was unnecessary because these Web pages would unlock the full power of the iPhone.

A year later, Apple (and, no doubt personally by The Most Holy Steve Jobs himself) invented the SDK. And the old technology was forgotten - even though it was supposed to be the best thing ever.

The real question is what will Apple do in the future. They are not well known for supporting companies that compete with them (as is demanded from *ahem* others). With Google making a phone, will Apple still support maps, search, and other Google web apps like they do now, or will they wait until the contract runs out and introduce a new invention called Apple Maps, and Apple Search?

[Izzy @ Aug 19th 2008 3:34PM]

@nohone It sounds like you are not only revising hx but creating fiction. Go back to DOS 3.3

[Jon Doe. @ Aug 19th 2008 6:29PM]

Izzy,

Bitch please. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/06/11iphone.html

Apple never had any intention of allowing anything as grand as an SDK for the iPhone to be released onto the masses. Because that would be work and why do that if the iHordes will buy your shit without even a cursory evaluation of the product. You dipshits are why Apple is so damn lazy when it comes to real innovation.

[TareX @ Aug 19th 2008 12:45PM]

I've been toying with the SDK for quite a while, and if feels amazing. I can't imagine how great the experience will get with more carrier/developer eye candy tweaking.... (as well as OpenGL ES implementation...)

These next 3 months will be very interesting.

[Rich @ Aug 19th 2008 12:45PM]

Have they set out a time-scale for open sourcing the entire OS yet?

[TareX @ Aug 19th 2008 12:45PM]

I've been toying with the SDK for quite a while, and if feels amazing. I can't imagine how great the experience will get with more carrier/developer eye candy tweaking.... (as well as OpenGL ES implementation...)

These next 3 months will be very interesting.

[TareX @ Aug 19th 2008 12:46PM]

I've been toying with the SDK for quite a while, and if feels amazing. I can't imagine how great the experience will get with more carrier/developer eye candy tweaking.... (as well as OpenGL ES implementation...)

These coming 3 months will be very interesting.

[blogger @ Aug 19th 2008 2:53PM]

If you receive multiple confirmation emails for the same post, don't click and confirm the comment.
Otherwise you multi-post.

[TareX @ Aug 19th 2008 12:47PM]

stupid comment system... now you see it now you don't. Sorry guys.

[Todd @ Aug 19th 2008 12:54PM]

Which is more difficult - Writing an application for Android using the SDK or leaving a comment on a blog? :P

[kjb434 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:21PM]

It's not hard people.

If you submit a comment and don't see it pop up, don't enter it again. Just hit F5 or refresh a couple of times.

[gb @ Aug 19th 2008 1:25PM]

When you get the email, click on the link. It is not that hard. If the comment does not show up immediately, be patient. The database update may be slow to update or your browser may be caching the page or the site may be sending you a cached version of the page. You are a developer, you should understand these things.

[huh @ Aug 19th 2008 2:54PM]

Comments appear then disappear for me. And it won't remember my login. And it forgets I'm replying to a comment. And why are you apologizing for Engadget's bad design?

[Jon Doe. @ Aug 19th 2008 6:32PM]

the problem is there is occasionally some serious lag in their comment system. I've seen it take upwards of 10 minutes to show up after posting, and that is without needing to do the e-mail thing. Engadget's commenting system is pretty craptastical overall.

[TareX @ Aug 19th 2008 9:15PM]

At androidguys.com, when I double post for clicking twice on submit, it detects it and automatically cancels the double post.

[Flashpoint @ Aug 19th 2008 12:48PM]

the market belongs to Apple and to Microsoft. Microsoft's Windows CE owns well over 80% of all cellular PDA's worldwide. If Apple keeps up what they are doing, the iPhone OS will probably capture 10 - 20%. There is no room for android.

Engadget readers and other tech bloggers know about it but I guarrantee you, no one else does.

[simon @ Aug 19th 2008 12:56PM]

Nokia/Symbian may take issue with your statements

[216 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:02PM]

He speaks as if RIM and the Blackberry don't even exist (satisfied Curve user here)

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Aug 19th 2008 1:03PM]

Andriod can destroy Window Mobile market share. This kind of platform is the next wave of the future. Android might as well be the biggest achievement in software since windows.

[Eric @ Aug 19th 2008 1:06PM]

I dunno, I know quite a few people that want to avoid Windows, but don't want to switch to AT$T. I am one of these people, I will probably get the Dream on launch day. I would say that there is plenty of room for Android, especially given the limited nature of the iPhone, and the beastliness of Windows Mobile.

[Jason @ Aug 19th 2008 1:07PM]

80% for Windows CE??? no, more like 12% as of Q4 2007. Nokia still owns if you start talking worldwide. Source: http://www.canalys.com/pr/2008/r2008021.htm

[Kris @ Aug 19th 2008 1:07PM]

Troll. Ignore.

[ewan @ Aug 19th 2008 1:08PM]

WinCE owns such a large market share because there were very few useful alternatives. Once Android is released people will be running from WinCE (to iPhone/Android) like it has the plague and it's market share will plummet.

[Mike @ Aug 19th 2008 1:34PM]

MSNBC won't stop talking about it, and their shares went up 50pts the day it was announced.
You fail.

[rodsky @ Aug 19th 2008 1:03PM]

hahaha whole comment is fail

[rodsky @ Aug 19th 2008 1:04PM]

meant to be a reply to flashpoint
bah

[Quix @ Aug 19th 2008 3:18PM]

I mod you up for the irony of it all. :)

[Johan S @ Aug 19th 2008 1:34PM]

I heard that the resolution of the Android devices suck and that the highest resolution of Android devices is HVGA. But they are not releasing any 800x480 devices (like the Xperia X1) any time soon.

[kccboy2004 @ Aug 19th 2008 5:42PM]

@johan,

you are wrong. where did you "hear" this ? which Android based phones are you talking about ?

[HunterXI @ Aug 19th 2008 1:35PM]

I only wonder how eager telecoms will be to actually put an open-source, freely modifiable OS on all their handsets.

[Xenoterranos @ Aug 19th 2008 1:41PM]

Here's to hoping there's an HTC Touch Pro compatible Android ROM. The best of both worlds!

[completing @ Aug 19th 2008 1:55PM]

Google feels badly ????

Does Google have an impaired sense of touch?????

"You feel bad when you're not happy."
"You feel badly when you have damaged nervous system or anesthetized."

[phanbouy @ Aug 19th 2008 2:13PM]

been watching Kiss Kiss Bang Bang again?

[AlexNC @ Aug 19th 2008 1:56PM]

Android is the future of mobile and general PC's in my opinion. Android will help move the trend of mobile phones from being closed, user unfriendly devices to a more user friendly open devices. Much like PC's today allow users to install any software they please on their machines, Android will help bring this mentality to the mobile phone sector. This is a much needed mind set in todays closed mobile structure. Apple helped a little, but even theirs is a closed network in the long run - they hand choose what apps are available. Once Android is let out of the bag, moble device's usefulness will increase dramatically - brining them on par to the usefulness of PC's. I predict that Android could be looked at the shot that killed Windows/PC.

[Johnny @ Aug 19th 2008 2:11PM]

I totally agree. I'm an long-time Apple fanboy, but not a blind one. I see Android doing to the iPhone exactly what Windows did to the Mac. The die hards will keep the iPhone as a viable alternative (and who knows if I'll be one of them). They may even maintain the classy appeal that Apple products have over their users and be perceived as a superior alternative. However, Apple will maintain their grip on the iPhone and we all know what happens when they do that in a world where too many other people want a piece of the pie. I'm sorry to say it, and to have to watch history repeat itself, but (since WinMo is crap compared to what I've already seen of Android) Android will make its way into many devices and will have a much more open software development arena allowing for a plethora of compatible hardware and software which will push them into a dominant position. To keep Android down, either Apple would have to open the iPhone a lot more or Microsoft will have to make an innovative mobile OS and we all know neither of those things will happen. IMHO, Android FTW!

I'll stick with my Macs, however, thank you, and hopefully Android will sync well to them in a few years when, and if, I switch mobile platforms.

[dennis @ Aug 19th 2008 1:56PM]

Anyone who thinks that Windows Mobile owns anything is really really wrong.

Correct me if any of these statement are untrue:
1. Almost all WM phones are HTC phones.
2. No HTC phone has graphics drivers; Android will (a version of OpenGL).
3. Almost no one who has WM really needs it.
4. MS Exchange can be made compatible with Android anyway.
5. Android will be easy to shoehorn into any HTC phone, provided it's GSM at first. (I figure, if you can get it to run on a Nokia Internet Tablet, you can get it to run on an HTC phone.)

True? False?

[Joel @ Aug 19th 2008 2:45PM]

1. Definitely not true. Look up Motorola, Samsung, Palm Treo, HP, Toshiba, and many more lesser known manufacturers. Windows Mobile is in a LOT of devices. This will get you started.
http://www.windowsfordevices.com/articles/AT2468909181.html

2. Dunno
3. B.S. Statement that doesn't mean anything
4. Guess it depends on whether "can" ends up being "will". I'd bet on it, but not heavily, and with qualifications
5. Bigger assumption than you may think. The word "easy" has a wide range of meanings, too, but "any" probably means this will be false.

The truth is that Windows Mobile is an OS that is widely built around and has some notable degree of use in a variety of devices. It's also relatively cheap but resource intensive, and the iPhone has proven that people want a better interface. The hope is that Android will bridge the gap between the rest of smartphones/text-phones and the iPhone to give people more choice. We also hope that Android will be able to be modified by the end user after the carriers have gotten their grubby mitts all over the interface/apps to lock it down so they can sell more expensive services.

Here's hoping.

[thewelsh1 @ Aug 19th 2008 3:07PM]

I have android running on a HTC Nike100 aka Touch Dual ...

[Ayle @ Aug 19th 2008 4:00PM]

1.True to some extent
2. The generation before they switched to qualcomm did.
3. Yes they otherwise they would have got something else. You buy what suits your need best.
4. It's the other way around: Android can be made compatible with Exchange anyway.
5. Well have to wait for the source to be released to see if it's possible.

[dennis @ Aug 19th 2008 5:57PM]

Thanks for the detailed responses. I feel satisfied.

About the idea that most WM users don't "need" WM.... I had a Cingular 8125 for about 2.5 years, and yes, I needed basic data synchronization and a few apps on WM, but I also could have gone for a Palm or Symbian device. It seems like WM market share benefited primarily from the Palm OS never being updated or really improved.

But again, thanks for the responses. Very interesting issue that I'll be interested in watching unfold.

[dennis @ Aug 21st 2008 12:34AM]

What, did I just get downgraded by WM fanboys?

About the fact that Samsung and Motorola make WM phones: they are part of the open handset alliance with HTC and Google.

People may not like the presentation of the argument, but I've seen it mirrored repeatedly in the Android and HTC posts since this one.

And some of the more recent posts about Android as of 8/20/08 give credibility to the idea that Android is going to have an app store, accessible from the OS, with financial transactions managed by Google. Android is going to START OFF with access to millions of potentially compatible phones, i.e., millions more iPhones than have been sold so far. It's going to direct all users to the "T-Mobile" app store, meaning the app store for Android and a bunch of other phones on T-mobile. And every single app developer who wants to get exposure will put their apps in that app store too.

Any questions?

[I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 19th 2008 2:11PM]

Andriod has pretty much already failed. It will be big at launch, but then people will start wondering how to get their hands on it... oh we have to switch to t-mo? no thanks.

or: ok we switched, wow, this is a watered down version of my old iphone, with more bugs and less user ability. why did i switch?

ill take the low rank for telling the truth

[Johnny @ Aug 19th 2008 2:29PM]

I think you're right, but only at first... then... see comment above

[bachviet @ Aug 19th 2008 2:45PM]

And how do you know that?

I'll take T-Mobile service over AT&T any time in Southern California.

[JerryA @ Aug 19th 2008 3:07PM]

OK, I'll bite this time.

"people will start wondering how to get their hands on it... oh we have to switch to t-mo? no thanks."

It's an OS. It will be available for multiple devices and multiple carriers. Not everyone prefers the Apple method of one carrier, one device.

"or: ok we switched"

Or, we wait until it's on our own carrier. Or, we are already on TMo. There are multiple options.

"wow, this is a watered down version of my old iphone, with more bugs and less user ability. why did i switch?"

Not everyone has or wants an iPhone. This may be beyond the comprehension of a troll but plenty of people don't like the limitations of the iPhone and never bought one. I know it may be hard to understand but some of us were doing 3g, gps, mms, web, email, etc. on mobile devices long before the iphone came out and people will continue to do so. iPhone is just one offering on a constant continuum of tech development.

Not to mention some of us won't pay twice what we already pay for slower service from the criminals at ATT. Apple is all about locking down the options. If you want a console, keep your iphone. If you want a computer, get something else.

[I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 19th 2008 3:22PM]

@jerry

your right, not everyone has an iphone, i just used it as an example because it is the best OS out there.also, i used it because andriod copied much of Iphone OS. i have seen their vids as well as developed for them. and trust me, they pretty much copied word for word. and it doesnt compare.

[o29 @ Aug 19th 2008 3:34PM]

@I-phone Is I-sexaayy:

Yeah, they just copied and pasted, huh?

[Famous by Marital-Association @ Aug 19th 2008 4:28PM]

And that is why you spell Android "andriod" and iPhone "Iphone"?
If you are a developer, your coding skills must suffer horribly from your lacking the ability to type properly.

"andriod copied much of Iphone OS."

Please respond with actually lines of code as an example.

In the meantime, I'll wait for the AP to post an article on how pigs can fly.