Android 1.6 SDK is here

I am happy to let you know that Android 1.6 SDK is available for download. Android 1.6, which is based on the donut branch from the Android Open Source Project, introduces a number of new features and technologies. With support for CDMA and additional screen sizes, your apps can be deployed on even more mobile networks and devices. You will have access to new technologies, including framework-level support for additional screen resolutions, like QVGA and WVGA, new telephony APIs to support CDMA, gesture APIs, a text-to-speech engine, and the ability to integrate with Quick Search Box. What's new in Android 1.6 provides a more complete overview of this platform update.

The Android 1.6 SDK requires a new version of Android Development Tools (ADT). The SDK also includes a new tool that enables you to download updates and additional components, such as new add-ons or platforms.

You can expect to see devices running Android 1.6 as early as October. As with previous platform updates, applications written for older versions of Android will continue to run on devices with Android 1.6. Please test your existing apps on the Android 1.6 SDK to make sure they run as expected.

Over the next several weeks, we will publish a series of blog posts to help you get ready for the new developer technologies in Android 1.6. The following topics, and more, will be covered: how to adapt your applications to support different screen sizes, integrating with Quick Search Box, building gestures into your apps, and using the text-to-speech engine.

If you are interested to see some highlights of Android 1.6, check out the video below.

Happy coding!

Android misses handset growth target for Spain

BARCELONA

Since the launch of Android devices in Spain in April this year and up until last week, only a very limited range of handsets from Taiwanese manufacturer HTC have been available on the market.



An article in today’s Expansión reveals that this is set to change, with Samsung launching its Galaxy model on Monday and Motorola looking to launch its Dext model in November.



However, all of this is unlikely to alter the fact that Android’s target for an installed base of 6m units in Spain by the end of 2009 will not be met. Current estimates show that Android devices represent only 2% of the handset market share in Spain. Whilst the push by new manufacturers entering the market, coupled with HTC’s launch of the Tattoo model may drive market share up a notch or two by the end of the year, Android still has to compete with other smartphone platforms with more established user bases.



Market estimates for an overall market share of 8-10% by the end of the year seem over-optimistic, and it appears more likely that they will not materialise until the choice of handsets and embedded services significantly improves.

Some News from Android Market

I'm pleased to let you know about several updates to Android Market. First, we will soon introduce new features in Android Market for Android 1.6 that will improve the overall experience for users. As part of this change, developers will be able to provide screenshots, promotional icons and descriptions that will better show off applications and games.

We have also added four new sub-categories for applications: sports, health, themes, and comics. Developers can now choose these sub-categories for both new and existing applications via the publisher website. Finally, we have added seller support for developers in Italy. Italian developers can go to the publisher website to upload applications and target any of the countries where paid applications are currently available to users.

To take advantage of the upcoming Android Market refresh, we encourage you to visit the Android Market publisher website and upload additional marketing assets. Check out the video below for some of the highlights.