Tech Shout!

A new interface and set of developer tools have been incorporated by Google, in the latest update to the Android software developer’s kit (SDK).

Linux-based Android is a program initialized by the Open Handset Alliance, a group of over 30 companies led by Google to offer an open operating system and related functions for wireless devices. The Mobile World Congress event held at Barcelona, Spain witnessed a demonstration by OHA, where the organization saw the implementation of Android on the hardware.

In an e-mail, Google developer Michael Kirkland wrote that the latest update offers improvements to the original SDK unveiled in November last year to provide open-source developers an “early look” that will assist in the development of the Android platform.

Adding on to this, in a blog entry, Jason Chen, a developer advocate working with the OHA and Google, stated that the update termed m5-rc14, incorporates a new user interface along with means for developers to create layout animations for their Android applications. The latest SDK also includes changes to geocoding and media-player coding. In addition, it can even make layout animations for applications. It supports several audio file formats and can upgrade Eclipse plug-in.

The first mobile phone featuring Android platform is expected to be out by 2008-end.