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In a bid to promote the Android platform, Google has partnered with Udacity to host a video training course to get the interested developers up and running with the basics of the development strategies. With an aim to make individuals ‘think like an Android developer,’ the course is hosted by Google’s own Android development advocates Reto Meier, Dan Galpin, and Katherine Kuan.
The course, titled “Developing Android Apps: Android Fundamentals”, is meant for experienced developers who may be new to mobile apps development but at least have some object-oriented programming background for languages like C++ or Java. The course is free for all interested individuals to watch, but a premium account on Udacity will also add extra features like one-on-one discussion with the instructors, direct feedback channel for the course and official certification.
‘Developing Android Apps’ aims to teach best Android development practices to the aspiring developers, which enables them to create apps that meet Google’s design and experience standards. The coursework follows step-by-step development of a fully-working real-life application called ‘Project Sunshine’ which is a weather forecasting tool. From the installation of development environment, introduction of layouts and design strategies governed by Google’s new Material Design UI, introducing threads, SQL, and internet access, to finishing touches with associated notifications, the development course comes fully-loaded with quizzes and development resources like downloadable repositories and documents.
The video course is a part of Google’s ‘Android Track’ training series. There is currently one other video course available under this series titled “UX Design for Mobile Developers”, which is freely accessible as well.
The developing experience for Android platform is considered to be sub-par and less-rewarding by a number of developers and companies in comparison to the experience offered by the rivals. Moreover, most of the Android apps offer an inferior user-experience and design details when compared to the apps on other platforms, especially iOS. Google also needs developers to pick up on its Material Design philosophy as soon as possible. These could be the motivating factors behind the introduction of such courseware that encourage developers to adopt simple but elegant design strategies and develop apps that are loved by their user. This, in the long run, can thus benefit all: Google, the users, and the developers of these mobile apps.
