Deadline Extension for the Android Developer Challenge

We'd like to let you know that we are extending the submission deadline for the first Android Developers Challenge to 14 April 2008. Based on the great feedback you've given us, we've made significant updates to the SDK that we'll be releasing in several weeks. In order to give you extra time to take advantage of these forthcoming UI and API enhancements, we've decided to extend the submission deadline. In addition, a fair number of developers have also asked for more time to build and polish their applications.

Of course, you can stay the course and submit your applications using any version of the SDK that you'd like. We're looking forward to seeing some great apps, especially after we've had a chance to incorporate some of your feedback into the Android platform.

Here is the updated time line:

14 April 2008:	Deadline to submit applications for judging
5 May 2008:	Announcement of the 50 first round winners, who will be eligible for the final round
30 June 2008:	Deadline for the 50 winners of the first round to submit for the final round
21 July 2008:	Announcement of the grand prize winner and runner-up

For additional details on the Android Developer Challenge, please visit the ADC page.

Good luck and good coding!

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Intercontinental Androids

When I recently blogged about our upcoming Android Campfire, I hinted at some international events we've been working on. We've now finalized plans on those, and registration is open.

We've got Android Code Days lined up for these locations:

• On 31 January, we'll split up, and host Android Code Days in London, UK and Tel Aviv, Israel.


• On 23 February, we'll host one in Boston, Massachusetts. (We'll post the registration page for this event soon.)

In addition, as we've announced via Mobile Monday Germany, we'll be having a similar event in Munich, Germany on 29 January.

What's a Code Day, you ask? Well, it's just our name for a day-long introduction and immersion session for Android. We'll give a technical introduction to the platform as well as a more in-depth look into topics of interest to the attendees. Then we'll have a free-for-all coding session that we like to call the "Laptop Lounge".

In other words, the agenda is largely up to you! Each of these events includes food and refreshments and is free of charge, but space is limited so please be sure to click on the registration links above to reserve your spot.

I said before that I think I have a really cool job; now I get to travel the world to meet developers and talk about cool technologies. I can't believe I get paid for this!

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You can't rush perfection, but now you can file bugs against it

We expected a lot of attention when we launched the early look of the Android SDK, and that's certainly what we got! Developers haven't been shy in speaking their minds on our Discussion Groups, and we've been listening. We've also been hard at work on Android, and meanwhile the Developer Challenge has been heating up and the submissions have started coming in.

We've been improving that "early look" and are preparing for the next big SDK release, so it's time to take the whole thing up a notch. As we move toward the first handsets, it's time to formalize the process, and the first step in that is to enable an issue tracker for developers to submit feedback.

I know a great many developers have been waiting eagerly for this, so I'm very pleased to be able to say that the Issue Tracker on the Android project on Google Code Project Hosting is now open for business. You can find the Issue Tracker here:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/list

We're now actively tracking that system, and we invite developers to file an issue to let us know about any problems you find with the SDK.

When you submit an issue, remember that the more detail you can give, the more likely the issue is to be addressed. (We especially enjoy the subtle and delicious flavors of reproducible sample code.) Of course, you'll still be able to ask for answers and advice on the Discussion Groups, so don't stop posting there. We'll be reviewing submitted issues regularly and keeping the database up to date, so that you can rely on it as a reliable and timely resource.

I think just about everyone will find this useful -- I know I definitely will. Happy coding, and now: happy reporting!

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Who wants cocoa & s'mores?

It's been a busy few months. First we announced Android, then we released an early look of the Android SDK, and just last week we started accepting submissions for the Android Developer Challenge. Now that we've got things moving along, it's time to stop and smell the roses.

Our developers will be a huge part of Android's success, so we want to meet you, our colleagues. We're working on some events around the world that we hope to announce soon, but to kick things off, on the 23rd of January we'll be holding a Campfire about Android.

Join us for food, drinks, and great conversation! Come meet other developers as well as Googlers working on Android. Talk business, talk pleasure, or just hang out – it's up to you.

We'd love to see all of you there, but unfortunately space is limited. We've set up a registration page for you to sign up, so head on over and reserve your spot!

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Rising to the Challenge

I think I have a really cool job, because I get to do a little bit of all those other cool jobs that you wish you could have. Today, I get to be like the Chairman from Iron Chef.

If you've never seen the show, the premise is that a slightly mysterious and rather eccentric guy known as the Chairman fulfilled his dream of presiding over a huge, extravagant cooking tournament. In a similar vein, today I get to make the announcement that the Android Developer Challenge is now "open for business" and accepting your submissions. The excitement! The anticipation! The pageantry!

Okay, not so much pageantry. But I do think it's pretty exciting, and I can't wait to see what you developers will come up with. Some of you have already given us a little taste of the cool stuff you're working on, and I'm eager to see what everyone else is cooking up.

To submit your application for the Challenge, click here to go to the Submission Page. Once there, you'll pick from one of three versions of the form based on whether you're working alone, in a team, or for an organized company. We've tried to keep things simple, so all you have to do is choose the form that applies to you, fill it out, attach the .apk file for your application, and you're done.

You also have the opportunity to upload a file containing documentation about your application. Any readable format is okay, although we prefer PDF or plain text. This file can contain anything that you think is important. For instance, you might include instructions on how to use your program, a design document that describes the next steps you plan to take, or a narrative that explains the vision of your application. We do ask that you submit your documentation and application in English, so that all the judges (who will be chosen by members of the Open Handset Alliance) can easily read it.

It's also very important to look at the Terms and Conditions. These are the rules for the Challenge and describe what you need to do to participate. Read them carefully!

The submission period is open until March 3, 2008, so you don't need to rush to submit your application just yet. March 3 is definitely a hard deadline though, so you must have your applications submitted by then. If you choose to submit now, you can always re-submit a later version of your application closer to the end. (I'd bet the participants on Iron Chef would love to be able to refine and re-submit their works to the judges.)

Maybe it's no Kitchen Stadium, but I still think we're in for a lot of fun. I hope everyone is having a great time developing for Android, and I hope to soon see the fruits of your labor. Good luck, and happy coding!

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