Win Free Access to The Busy Coder’s Guide to Android Development

Posted by Joe on December 8, 2008 | 49 comments | Filed under : Developers

Courtesy of Mark Murphy & Commonsware Are you looking to start producing applications for the G1 and future “Google Phones” in the Android Market – especially once you can get paid for them in 2009?

Now that Google has released a SIM and hardware unlocked device for developers called the Android Dev Phone 1 along with a new Android 1.0 SDK, release 2 – 1.0_r2 – you just need to know what the heck you are doing when you are actually programming in Android.

Mark Murphy of CommonsWare, who is ALWAYS proving answers in Android’s Google Groups, is providing free access to his extremely well written and easy to follow The Busy Coder’s Guide to Android Development, as well an Advanced version, to a Google and Blog reader for 6 months!

Who would use this book?

I would suggest someone with at least a moderate level of some programming experience before attempting to develop in Android, specifically experience in Java.

How can I prepare myself to use this book?

Read up at Java Beginner & Sun‘s Java tutorial

Then get familiar with GUI (Graphical User Interface) Programming in Java

Get comfortable using Eclipse as your IDE (Integrated Development Environment) to write your code in.

Who is Mark Murphy?

Mark lives in rural Pennsylvania, outside 3G support, with both a BS in Physics and an MBA while working in software development for over 25 years.

He have been involved with “wireless data” off and on, dating back to the Handheld Device Markup Language in 1996, which eventually morphed into WAP, to consulting Fortune 500 companies on open source and collaborative development.

Why did Mark write this book?

When plans for an iPhone SDK and Android were announced within a short period of time, he wanted to choose one to focus on and the answer came once the iPhone SDK was released with its the App Store restrictions and NDA (at that time), etc.

Mark feels Android is our first opportunity to get a compelling open option in the mobile Internet space, or at least the first that has a decent chance of being a long-term commercial success.

OK OK, How do I get the FREE Subscription?

Post a Comment below stating why you should get a free Android Development Guides subscription and what kind of Android application you would create.

On Monday December 15th I will announce the winner here at Google And Blog.

*** It was determined that Carlos Orjuela is the winner of this contest for his future medical vital signs applications – CONGRATULATIONS! ***

1 Nathaniel Berger December 8, 2008 at 11:16 am: “[I] should get a free Android Development Guides subscription” because I would like to develop an application that would be used to help diagnose and treat physical ailments/medical issues through the use of ‘alternative’ practices. I would like to apply existing databases of medical symptoms to a new graphical-diagnostic user interface allowing the medically non adept [like me] to self diagnose themselves, and follow pre-subscribed ‘alternative’ courses of actions or treatments.
2 Carl December 8, 2008 at 12:41 pm: I am the organizer of the London android meetup group with around 80 members. I will review the book and if well written advertise it to the group.
3 Travis B. Hartwell December 8, 2008 at 10:16 pm: I believe I should get access to the Android Development Guides because I am definitely in the target audience for the book: a busy coder! I have a full time as a software developer in the Operations division of a fast moving company, and that leaves me little time for learning Android development. I’m enamored with my new G1 and want to do all I can to make the phone productive, useful, and fun for myself and others. This seems like one of the best books out there for learning Android development. As a mostly self-taught developer, I crave the best learning materials and loath having to wade through pages and pages of API docs just to learn how to do something.

What kind of apps do I want to write? I’ve got several ideas, a few here:
- an application for entering birthdays for your contacts that will show up on your calendar as well as give notifications about upcoming birthdays
- a collections application, particularly for book, movie, music collections
- a quick list making application

And it goes on…

Travis B. Hartwells last blog post..Site Update
4 Atish December 9, 2008 at 5:13 am: I should get the copy as i am working as a lead engineer in a world leading mobile company.We are currently trying developing android based mobile phones.So if i can get the book all mobile manufacturer companies will get to know about this.
5 Dave Powell December 9, 2008 at 7:11 am: My plan is to review the book and start to integrate Android into computer science courses for an undergraduate curriculum.
6 Michael Angelo Rivera December 9, 2008 at 10:19 pm: I would like to have a book like that to further improve my Android skills so that i can help my fellow Filipinos (im tryin to get their interest in developing Android) , actually i did made this app it is called QuickLog w/c is a timetracker sheet that has GPS/Maps,Email..database connectivity and soon Google Spreadsheet i did presented this app to Google DevFest Manila in which Google Engrs and other professional saw what i did and they all liked it that they had the impression of getting some developers already here in the Philippines, but then again that was before so im thinking of expanding other stuff because of the old sdk im using ,and hopefully other API(OpenSocial..etc) to be integrated with it. Lastly i think when Android came up i really think this will really change the mobile industry as the main person-net communication!

Michael Angelo Riveras last blog post..Jack of All Trades , Master of Nothing
7 Prachi December 9, 2008 at 11:15 pm: I am working as an application software engineer in well known mobile computing organization. I was working as a JavaME developer and recently shifted to android team. I want to explore more features of android so that I will be able to design and implement new features in our upcoming android products.
8 Pramod December 10, 2008 at 2:46 am: I am part of a higly motivated team (In one of the 14 companies that recently joined OHA) that is asked to study the feasibility of using android in our ecosystem. And also think of innovative Web 2.0 applications. As we all believe open systems like Android will be the thing in the future we want to get ready for it as early as possible. I am sure this book would help us in our mission.
9 Raulftang December 10, 2008 at 2:52 am: I’m a developer and has experience in j2me and symbian development. Starting research in application development in android and wanting to port a application like Gtalk to android.
10 sanat December 11, 2008 at 1:42 am: i ve to gift it to my gf bcoz she s asking for it & i dont ve enough money to purchase.thank u
11 Brandon December 11, 2008 at 1:25 pm: I am looking to build a social network for the G1 where users can upload their creative works whether it be flash games, wallpapers, ringtones, Indy artist music etc. Similar to any other social network but based around the Google android API.
12 Onur Dahlia December 11, 2008 at 1:42 pm: I want to study on Android. Given the latest development in cellphone technology, it is a must to learn about Android platform.
13 kusuma December 11, 2008 at 9:58 pm: i would need the book because i am a trainee and want to develop many applicatins using android j2me midlet runner for cell phones. i know that i would create many applications but if i have a proper tutorial my work would be faster and i can become more confident in creating applicatons
Thanks for the help in advance
14 Mohd Imarn December 12, 2008 at 12:34 am: I know Mark Murphy, he has answered many of my questions in Android Developers Blog, he use to answer them in very simply and in very efficient way, So i think his book will be great in learning Android.

At Present i am working as a full time Android Developer.. now i i am working on simple games… so i will be very thank full if u provide me access to that Book

Thank u in Advance…!
15 simon December 12, 2008 at 6:35 am: I’m a c# developer just starting out on the android/java/mobile path. After reading through the Android tutorials i’m getting really excited about what can be done with this platform! The trouble is I’m finding it a bit of a steep learing curve to actually produce some slick software(plus finding the spare time to learn is very hard!). The type of software I want to write is fun stuff, mainly Multiplayer Geo Aware Games. This book would be a huge help for me
16 Juan December 12, 2008 at 10:24 pm: I think I should get the Guide because I’m really curious to know what’s inside it and besides I think I’m getting an Amazon version of the book for Christmas, but I still can’t wait till then. I’m planning to create a very cool Social App.
17 Milind Rao December 13, 2008 at 4:51 am: Boy, am I ever a candidate for this book. I’m so busy, I don’t have time to tell you about all the Android Apps I’ll be developing that will change your life
18 vikash December 13, 2008 at 6:17 am: i am working on java and eclipse and now i have got an android project which needs to be completed with in 2 months and i dont get full time. so i highly need this book to understand the concepts and come up with the application.
19 Carlos Orjuela December 13, 2008 at 8:40 am: I’m a student of Electronic and telecomm. engineering, i’m developing an app which will monitor the vital signs of pacients connected at a number of sensors and i really think this guide would help me a lot. Thanks
20 nak December 15, 2008 at 11:39 am: i don’t know ,i just need this book to learn more about Android, i’m doing project at school about game on Android, so it would be great if i have one.
21 S Gaehler December 15, 2008 at 7:05 pm: I have a custom app that will take advantage of google maps for routing/info.
22 Andon Nguyen December 15, 2008 at 11:59 pm: I have a biology degree with a deep interest in programming for android. I plan to bring to the table many ideas, such as concepts similar to Folding@home but for the android platform. I plan to also develop for a laundry list of ideas that I know will revolutionize the android platform.
23 Win Free Access to The Busy Coder's Guide to Android Development | GAB December 16, 2008 at 8:39 am: [...] Original post: Win Free Access to The Busy Coder's Guide to Android Development | GAB [...]
24 nak December 16, 2008 at 6:28 pm: Congratz Orjuela
@Martin: is there any other contest?
25 Michael Martin December 16, 2008 at 7:05 pm: There will other giveaways of Android books here at Google And Blog, from different authors, shortly.

Stay tuned.
26 Jeffrey Sharkey Gets Out GroupHome & OilCan Before Going to Google | GAB December 16, 2008 at 11:47 pm: [...] dollars or get a job at Google by creating your own Android application by winning FREE access to Mark Murphy’s Android Development books – with a winner being announced by the end of Monday December 15th, 2008 here at Google And Blog. [...]
27 Sony Toshiba ASUS Garmin Plus 10 Others Want to be Androids | GAB December 16, 2008 at 11:50 pm: [...] like a LOT of people will have get up to speed on programming in Android for this expanded market. What other Blogs are saying on this [...]
28 tmacxu December 31, 2008 at 1:43 am: I was definitely attracted by the amazing android platform when i saw the google’s android plan on the internet first time. I believe this is new Information technology revolution. PC age has past and handset times has come. We have the responsibility to be one of them and make our contribution to change the human’s life. I am from the third world country. There are a lot of people do not know much about this new revolution. I am eager for sharing this with our people. Abusolutely, this excellent book will give me directly help. Hope i can get it.
anyway, happy new year!
29 Mouseclone January 13, 2009 at 1:20 pm: Sucks that I missed this. I really would have liked to have the book.

Mouseclones last blog post..Movie Review – Super High Me
30 pooja January 19, 2009 at 9:54 pm: I am working as a mobile developer.I have to develop an application on andriod in 3 months.So i need this book to understand the concepts and able to develop an application.
31 vivek dalvi January 22, 2009 at 11:59 pm: myself along with my three of friends doing a project on developing web browser on android.Since we are Final year it will be realy good exprience before we actually work in industry.
32 Learn How to Make Google Android Apps for FREE | GAB January 28, 2009 at 11:45 am: [...] previously provided a GAB reader with free access to Mark Murphy’s The Busy Coder’s Guide to Android Development as this is geared toward the more advanced [...]
33 max January 29, 2009 at 6:15 pm: i am software programmer, i would like to learn how can develop apps to post in android market. i already receive my dev phone and SDK except this book.
34 Michael Martin January 29, 2009 at 6:24 pm: @max,

This contest is over but there is another one for a free copy of Hello, Android at http://www.andgeeks.com/learn-how-to-make-android-apps-for-free/3684/
35 Kuldeep February 4, 2009 at 2:45 am: I want this book for learning to write Apps for Android platform.
36 Learn Android Programming! Cowboy Hats Optional! At The Big Nerd Ranch in Atlanta Georgia | GAB February 14, 2009 at 3:37 pm: [...] maps, and using Internet access. I will be your instructor, and I’ve been told that I know a bit about [...]
37 Kevin AN February 25, 2009 at 5:38 am: I want to build a cooliris like app on android.

Kevin ANs last blog post..???????????mysql?
38 Lowis Skouti March 6, 2009 at 7:56 am: HI
I am a PHD Student , I’m working on Androide for my thesis which is “Vertical handover between 3G & Wimax Networks” .I have to develop an application on andriod in 3 months.So i need this book to understand the concepts and able to develop an application.
39 Michael Martin March 6, 2009 at 8:14 am: This contest is over but you can access the latest version of Mark Murphy’s book at http://commonsware.com/warescription.html
40 Bachir May 29, 2009 at 1:15 am: Hi,
I am working as a mobile developer.I have to develop an application on andriod in 3 months. It’s a social application.
So i need this book to understand the concepts and able to develop an application.
Sincerly yours
41 Cedric June 19, 2009 at 11:42 pm: It’s great reference document
42 anonymous August 28, 2009 at 11:16 am: Oh, come on, are you really so cheap that you can only give away one pdf file (free for you to produce, actually)?

Don't worry, if the book is good we'll buy in on dead-tree version, but for now let us just get to the info and code!
43 Rashid January 8, 2010 at 9:48 am: I need this book
44 guest12 January 24, 2010 at 1:59 pm: Cause i would like one and i like pizza—————————————————————————–
45 @ritwaj February 7, 2010 at 8:36 am: Hello Martin,

Could you let us know when are the next give away contests ?
46 Abdul Raqeeb February 24, 2010 at 6:47 pm: Hi,

I am really interested in developing apps for android, I just learnt basic java to start working on writing apps in android. Please provide me with the book.

Thanks,
Raqeeb
47 KSK February 26, 2010 at 3:45 pm: Hi,
Im newbie to android development. I developed some small games in android and I read in many websites that this busy coders book is very good.and im not in a position to buy this book.

Im very much interested in developing new and niche apps using android.

thanks
KSK
48 VED BHURE March 21, 2010 at 8:12 am: Working in Google is my dream job but if I dont get a chance to get in Google then atleast developing apps for Google will like it.
THANK YOU
49 Anasuya August 14, 2010 at 8:57 am: hello Android