1 00:00:00,012 --> 00:00:03,480 All right, we're ready to dive into Android. 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:06,230 The name Android refers to different things. 3 00:00:06,230 --> 00:00:10,340 Besides a type of phone, it's specifically a collection of software components 4 00:00:10,340 --> 00:00:15,690 that run on phones, tablets, watches, TVs and other hardware. 5 00:00:15,690 --> 00:00:18,300 This software provides the operating environment to do 6 00:00:18,300 --> 00:00:21,040 everything from displaying text on a screen, to sending and 7 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:25,480 receiving phone calls, to running apps like the one you are about to write. 8 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:28,780 Making apps for Android requires a few free tools. 9 00:00:28,780 --> 00:00:32,500 They used to be a pain to set up, but it's much easier now. 10 00:00:32,500 --> 00:00:36,110 However, let me say one thing before we get started. 11 00:00:36,110 --> 00:00:39,210 Android is a rapidly evolving technology, and 12 00:00:39,210 --> 00:00:42,760 that means that our tools are constantly evolving too. 13 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,160 So don't worry if your tools look a little different than mine. 14 00:00:45,160 --> 00:00:49,570 The stuff we learn in this project is important foundation stuff that won't ever 15 00:00:49,570 --> 00:00:51,336 change much, if at all. 16 00:00:51,336 --> 00:00:54,380 What's important is that you get comfortable working in a tool like we'll 17 00:00:54,380 --> 00:00:57,800 use here and with the basic concepts of creating an Android app. 18 00:00:58,930 --> 00:01:00,543 One more thing before we begin. 19 00:01:00,543 --> 00:01:03,712 If any minor changes or bugs pop up in these videos, 20 00:01:03,712 --> 00:01:06,450 then we'll add a visual callout like this. 21 00:01:06,450 --> 00:01:08,024 And then, I'll add some notes or 22 00:01:08,024 --> 00:01:11,350 screenshots to the teacher's notes below the video. 23 00:01:11,350 --> 00:01:14,650 So if you spot a difference, check the teacher's notes first and 24 00:01:14,650 --> 00:01:16,670 then let us know in the community. 25 00:01:16,670 --> 00:01:19,350 It's possible that bigger changes might occur too. 26 00:01:19,350 --> 00:01:22,350 And in that case, we'll still add a callout and notes, but 27 00:01:22,350 --> 00:01:25,200 we'll also record an updated video as soon as possible. 28 00:01:26,370 --> 00:01:28,950 So what exactly are we going to use? 29 00:01:28,950 --> 00:01:32,080 Let's take a brief tour and then we'll walk through the setup. 30 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:34,800 First, we need a place to write code. 31 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,860 We're going to use a tool called Android Studio, 32 00:01:37,860 --> 00:01:42,010 which is known as an Integrated Development Environment or IDE for short. 33 00:01:43,030 --> 00:01:47,520 Android Studio lets you write, build, and test your Android apps. 34 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:50,350 We don't have to use Android Studio to write our code. 35 00:01:50,350 --> 00:01:53,080 But it is the recommended tool for development. 36 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,460 So that's what we'll be using in these videos. 37 00:01:55,460 --> 00:01:57,480 When it comes time to test our apps, 38 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:00,570 we're going to run them on something called an emulator. 39 00:02:00,570 --> 00:02:03,670 This is a version of Android that runs on our computers. 40 00:02:03,670 --> 00:02:07,460 However, the emulator doesn't specify anything about the device we would 41 00:02:07,460 --> 00:02:08,880 like to emulate. 42 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:11,869 So for specifying things like screen size, 43 00:02:11,869 --> 00:02:14,952 we'll use an Android Virtual Device or AVD. 44 00:02:14,952 --> 00:02:19,871 Luckily, Android Studio includes a default virtual device and the emulator. 45 00:02:19,871 --> 00:02:22,767 So we should be ready to test right from the start. 46 00:02:22,767 --> 00:02:26,342 But if you want to learn more about the Android Emulator and virtual devices, 47 00:02:26,342 --> 00:02:29,920 check out the workshop linked in the teacher's notes below. 48 00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:33,900 Being able to use an emulator means that you don't even need an Android device 49 00:02:33,900 --> 00:02:36,090 to write and test Android apps. 50 00:02:36,090 --> 00:02:39,090 It helps, but you can get through this entire course and 51 00:02:39,090 --> 00:02:41,080 beyond using just the emulator. 52 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:43,770 That's about it for now. 53 00:02:43,770 --> 00:02:46,500 In a moment, we'll walk through setting up our tools and 54 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:48,810 creating our very first project. 55 00:02:48,810 --> 00:02:52,210 If you need help installing the tools, check out the teacher's notes below for 56 00:02:52,210 --> 00:02:54,930 some installation instructions to help get you started. 57 00:02:54,930 --> 00:02:58,500 I highly, highly recommend you follow along with these videos 58 00:02:58,500 --> 00:03:02,750 by installing the tools and writing your own code as I walk you through it. 59 00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:06,900 You will learn so much more by actually doing it, than just watching the videos.