Yuzi download

Announcing the 2016 Android Experiments I O Challenge!

Posted by Roman Nurik, Senior Interactive Designer, and Richard The, Google Creative Lab

Last summer we launched Android Experiments: a showcase of creative Android projects, and an open invitation for all developers to submit their own experiments to the gallery. So far we’ve seen some amazing work from the developer community - from live wallpaper, to watch faces, to interesting hacks of the IOIO board - and we want to see more.

Today we announce the Android Experiments I/O Challenge: a chance for your experiment (and you) to go to I/O 2016!

From now through April 13, you can enter by submitting your experiments to the gallery. The top three winners of the contest will receive a trip to this year’s Google I/O, and the five runner-ups will get the new Nexus 6P.

So what makes a good Android Experiment? It’s a project that utilizes the unique capabilities of the Android platform in an innovative way. Here are a few suggestions:

• Creative uses of Android’s new or distinctive features
• Projects that explore how we interact with our devices, in small and big ways
• Unique visual aesthetics
• Open source projects that inspire other developers
• Surprise us - we want to see the amazing things you’re cooking up

All projects on Android Experiments are open source. If you’re not sure where to start take a look on the site gallery, dig in and get inspired.

We can’t wait to see how you’re combining code and creativity! Enter on androidexperiments.com/challenge today.

Available link for download

Announcing the Android Auto Desktop Head Unit

Posted by Josh Gordon, Developer Advocate

Today we’re releasing the Desktop Head Unit (DHU), a new testing tool for Android Auto developers. The DHU enables your workstation to act as an Android Auto head unit that emulates the in-car experience for testing purposes. Once you’ve installed the DHU, you can test your Android Auto apps by connecting your phone and workstation via USB. Your phone will behave as if it’s connected to a car. Your app is displayed on the workstation, the same as it’s displayed on a car.

The DHU runs on your workstation.	Your phone runs the Android Auto companion app.

Now you can test pre-released versions of your app in a production-like environment, without having to work from your car. With the release of the DHU, the previous simulators are deprecated, but will be supported for a short period prior to being officially removed.

Getting started

You’ll need an Android phone running Lollipop or higher, with the Android Auto companion app installed. Compile your Auto app and install it on your phone.

Install the DHU

Install the DHU on your workstation by opening the SDK Manager and downloading it from Extras > Android Auto Desktop Head Unit emulator. The DHU will be installed in the <sdk>/extras/google/auto/ directory.

Running the DHU

Be sure your phone and workstation are connected via USB.

1. Enable Android Auto developer mode by starting the Android Auto companion app and tapping on the header image 10 times. This is a one-time step.
2. Start the head unit server in the companion app by clicking on the context menu, and selecting “Start head unit server”. This option only appears after developer mode is enabled. A notification appears to show the server is running.

Start the head unit server in the Android Auto companion app before starting the DHU on your workstation.	You’ll see a notification when the head unit server is running.



3. On your workstation, set up port forwarding using ADB to allow the DHU to connect to the head unit server running on your phone. Open a terminal and type adb forward tcp:5277 tcp:5277. Don’t forget this step!
4. Start the DHU.
     cd <sdk>/extras/google/auto/
     On Linux or OSX: ./desktop-head-unit
     On Windows, desktop-head-unit.exe

At this point the DHU will launch on your workstation, and your phone will enter Android Auto mode. Check out the developer guide for more info. We hope you enjoy using the DHU!

Join the discussion on

+Android Developers

Available link for download

Announcing the Project Tango App Contest Winners Special Developer Kit Promotion

Posted by Larry Yang, Product Manager, Project Tango

Over the past year, we put Project Tango Tablet Development Kits in the hands of thousands of developers and challenged them to create unique augmented reality (AR) experiences that allowed users to explore their physical space. With your creativity, enthusiasm and investment, the ecosystem has grown substantially with hundreds of fun and useful Project Tango-enabled apps already available on Google Play.

Today, we’re excited to announce the winners of the Project Tango App Contest. An extremely competitive contest that started with 190 original submissions, the three category winners were selected from our expert panel of judges and received a cash prize of $4,096 each, while the developer community voted for the “Best Overall” app for the grand prize of $8,192.

Category: “Best Overall”

WeR Cubed Tango by WeR VR: In WeR Cubed, players utilize the motion tracking capabilities of the Project Tango to make their way through several challenging levels of 3D puzzles.

Ghostly Mansion by Cyron Software: Upon your death, you became a ghost, your spirit imprisoned inside the many rooms of your mansion. To finally be at peace, you must unravel the mystery of your death, using your “Ghostly Will” and the Project Tango device to find the necessary clues.

Phi3D by DotProduct LLC: Phi.3D for Tango lets you capture dense 3D models in real-time from your mobile device. It also offers professional features such as global scene optimization, precise measurements, setting coordinate systems, appending to existing data etc.

InnAR Wars by FLARB: Two players battle for domination over an asteroid field scattered with uninhabited planetoids. Walk around your room hunting for the opponents bases and send attack ships to destroy them.

We hope these applications inspire you to build amazing apps that leverage Project Tangos core technologies: motion tracking, area learning, and depth perception.

In the coming weeks, we will also offer a 50 percent limited-time discount on a single Project Tango Tablet Development Kit sold on the Google Store. Keep an eye out on our Google+ community for an update on the sale.

Sign-up for our monthly newsletter to keep up with the latest news. Get help from other developers by using the Project Tango tag in Stack Overflow. See what others are creating on our YouTube channel. And share your story on Twitter with #ProjectTango.

Available link for download

Announcing the Google Play Indie Games Festival in San Francisco Sept 24

If you’re an indie game developer, you know that games are a powerful medium of expression of art, whimsy, and delight. Being on Google Play can help you reach over a billion users and build a successful, global business. That’s why we recently introduced programs, like the Indie Corner, to help more gamers discover your works of art.

To further celebrate and showcase the passion and innovation of indie game developers, we’re hosting the Google Play Indie Games Festival at the Terra Gallery in San Francisco, on September 24.

This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your indie title to the public, increase your network, and compete to win great prizes, such as Tango devices, free tickets for Google I/O 2017, and Google ad campaign support. Admission will be free and players will get the chance to play and vote on their favorites.

If you’re interested in showcasing your game, we’re accepting submissions now through August 14. We’ll then select high-quality games that are both innovative and fun for the festival. Submissions are open to US and Canadian developers with 15 or less full time staff. Only games published on or after January 1, 2016 or those to be published by December 31, 2016 are eligible. See complete rules.

We encourage virtual reality and augmented reality game submissions that use the Google VR SDK and the Tango Tablet Development Kit.

At the end of August, we’ll announce the group of indies to be featured at the festival.

You can learn more about the event here. We can’t wait to see what innovative and fun experiences you share with us!

Available link for download