Hello, Android Book Question

Mar 10, 2009 18:30:44

Hi Ed,
Nice to see you offer your book here.
Welcome to the Ranch.

So I've a few questions on Android?
How much time will it take an average Java knowledgeable guy to use Android API?
I'm not into gaming stuff, and can i design any gaming applications for Android without much knowledge on Android?
What is the earning prospects of programming Android? and Is it worth it?

Thanks

Mar 10, 2009 20:01:31

Nice to see you offer your book here.
Welcome to the Ranch.

Thanks! This is actually my second promotion here. Does anybody remember the first one?

So I've a few questions on Android?
How much time will it take an average Java knowledgeable guy to use Android API?

You can go from zero to your first "Hello, Android" app in a few minutes. Since you already know Java, you know a lot about Android because Android implements most of the Java SE library (see Appendix A, Java vs. the Android Language and APIs). If you know SQL you can use the database, and if you know OpenGL you can do 3d graphics. The trickiest part will be the Android life-cycle, which might throw you for a week or so, and the user interface library, which is almost but not quite entirely unlike Swing and SWT so that could take another few weeks to become proficient in it.

I'm not into gaming stuff, and can i design any gaming applications for Android without much knowledge on Android?

Well if you're just getting started with both gaming and Android you'll have a lot to learn. Creating a fun and engaging game is not easy. Just please don't make another "farting" application.

What is the earning prospects of programming Android? and Is it worth it?

You're not going to get rich any time soon. The Android Market is far younger than, say, the iPhone app store, and the audience is not used to paying for things like iTunes users are. We've all heard the stories of a few people making tens of thousands a day with iPhone apps, and honestly right now on Android nobody is even making hundreds a day. But these are early times, and I believe patience and good work will be rewarded.

Mar 11, 2009 06:45:18

Ed Burnette wrote:
You're not going to get rich any time soon. The Android Market is far younger than, say, the iPhone app store, and the audience is not used to paying for things like iTunes users are. We've all heard the stories of a few people making tens of thousands a day with iPhone apps, and honestly right now on Android nobody is even making hundreds a day. But these are early times, and I believe patience and good work will be rewarded.

Dampener

I was hoping to capitalize on Android.. However, thanks for such an honest response

Mar 11, 2009 07:00:18

While what Ed said about the AppStore is true, it is becoming oversaturated, because Apple can't keep up:Apple Insider

Moreover, the design of the iTunes store itself is not very conducive to searching and finding the applications you need out of the 95% of the trash.

I am sure google is much aware of this and I hope Android Market will find a way to avoid the mess that the AppStore has become. If they do, developers writing good apps for Android would have higher financial returns in the long run.

You get good luck from rubbing the belly of a tiny ad:

Clean our rivers and oceans from home

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/willow-feeders