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Archive for August, 2009
Android Game Development: not so clear?
Aug 30th
Imho, the Android documentation is really well written and helpful, but it lacks of examples. Hints are given where needed (for example, in the View class docs it’s clearly written that you can’t update the main UI thread from an external thread, and you should use a handler), but they don’t give us concrete examples, as Adobe did with Actionscript 3 docs.
So I think it’s not easy to dive into this ocean without the guide of someone who has already broken his head on a problem. I’m trying to write some simple tutorial for some common tasks. In a few days (maybe hours) I’m going to release a sort of simple cheatsheet that will help updating the views from an external thread/timer. Come back soon if you need it.
I love my Android
Aug 27th
This is a post I’ve found on Reddit:
I love my Android phone, it’s awesome. Over the last few months it has now become my preferred interface to my computer. All my emails, from work and personal accounts gets sent to my phone, I deal with a lot of it right there. Also Facebook through Babbler, and Reddit through Reddit is Fun. If I’m lonely, I can fire up eBuddy and have a quick MSNversation. I can check on my eBay auctions wherever I may be.
I can control all parts of my computer, controlling movies through VLC using VLC Remote, my music through Tunes Remote, I can FTP to the file system or anywhere else for that matter, I can SSH to any of my boxes and control them remotely, or even VNC to them and get a graphical interface. I can even download torrents while I’m out and about.
I can access the wealth of information available on Wikipedia and a plethora of other media like podcasts, youtube, the BBC TV and radio with beebPlayer, RSS feeds, and even TED Talks. I can also see data in the real world with Layar and Wikitude, find local stuff, or go Geocaching.
I just can’t describe how much this little, white bundle of joy has changed my life. Three cheers for Android phones!
… and I totally agree with this user!
Book: Pro Android 2 Games
Aug 24th
Apress is going to release a new Android book, following up the previous Pro Android: Pro Android 2 Games.
As the name says, it should be focused on Android game programming and I bet it will be a best seller. I will confess you: I’ve been for a span of time a Flash games developer and I’m having some difficulties going back to Java for this.
Without doubts programming with Actionscript 3.0 is easier and I was able to focus on the game mechanichs rather than the Java language objects, try/catch blocks, threads, memory leaks and performance issues. So I’m one of those who are expecting a lot from this and forthcoming books.
SurfaceView
Aug 24th
I’d like to know what Android developers think about this heavy but fast animal. SurfaceView is a particular class that enables Android developers to get fast refreshing graphics on the screen, but… as far as I can read around, it’s a source of particular issues that increase difficulties in its programming.
So, what are your experiences with SurfaceView? Do you use it regularly? Do you like it or prefer some slower but easier techniques for your games/apps?
You’re welcome!
Aug 24th
Welcome on GeekDroid.com.
I am GeekDroid and I write reviews, previews, thoughts about this wonderful rising world of Android.
I’ll talk about upcoming and released applications and games, worthy news and developers. Since I’m a developer, I’ll be posting my personal comments, experiences and tutorials about the Android API and what we can accomplish by using it.
I’m really hoping you will be my regular visitor. I really care about every single reader of my blogs and their comments and feedbacks!
So… Read you soon!
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