A hands-on guide to building mobile applications, "Professional Android Application Development" features concise and compelling examples that show you how to quickly construct real-world mobile applications for Android phones. Fully up-to-date for version 1.0 of the Android software development kit, it covers all the essential features, and explores the advanced capabilities of Android (including GPS, accelerometers, and background Services) to help you construct increasingly complex, useful, and innovative mobile applications for Android phones.This book includes: an introduction to mobile development, Android, and how to get started; an in-depth look at Android applications and their life cycle, the application manifest, Intents, and using external resources; details for creating complex and compelling user interfaces by using, extending, and creating your own layouts and Views and using Menus; a detailed look at data storage, retrieval, and sharing using preferences, files, databases, and Content Providers; instructions for making the most of mobile portability by creating rich map-based applications as well as using location-based services and the geocoder; and, a look at the power of background Services, using threads, and a detailed look at Notifications. This book also includes: coverage of Android's communication abilities including SMS, the telephony APIs, network management, and a guide to using Internet resources; details for using Android hardware, including medi