New Google SDK 0.9 Beta Released

Google has finally released a new public SDK. This is the first release of the Android SDK that is formally on the path to Android 1.0. The release is considered beta – it may not fully compatible with Android 1.0, when released, meaning that applications you build using this SDK may not run on final Android 1.0 devices. However, the differences between this release and final 1.0-compatible releases are expected to be small. No major API changes are planned.

Previous releases were considered early looks at the SDK, and were not formally on the path toward Android 1.0.

Google’s Dan Morrill writes:

I’m pretty happy today, for two reasons. First, I’m happy because I get to let everyone know that we’re releasing a beta SDK. You can read about the new Android 0.9 SDK beta at the Android Developers’ Site, or if you want to get straight to the bits, you can visit the download page. Once you’ve got it, be sure to visit our Developer Forum if you have any questions.

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The beta SDK that we’re releasing today is the first big step on the SDK’s road to compatibility with 1.0. Since this is a beta release, applications developed with it may not quite be compatible with devices running the final Android 1.0. However, the APIs are now pretty stable and we don’t expect any major changes. If you’re one of the many developers who were waiting for something a bit more mature, this might be a good time to take another look.

Here’s a rundown of what’s new in the latest SDK:

• First and most obviously, the new Home screen is included, along with a ton of UI changes for 1.0.
• Some new applications are included: an Alarm Clock, Calculator, Camera, Music player, Picture viewer, and Messaging (for SMS/MMS conversations).
• Several new development tools were added, such as a graphical preview for XML layouts for users of Eclipse, and a tool for constructing 9-patch images.
• Since we’ve got a new Home screen application now, we thought the now-obsolete version from the M5 early-look SDK might be helpful to developers, so its source is included as a sample.
• A number of new APIs are fleshed out and improved, and others are now close to their final forms for 1.0.
• Tons of bugs were fixed, of course. (If you had problems with the MediaPlayer, try it now!)

More info and to download: Android SDK 0.9.