In the continuing development wars between mobile phone companies, Google announced that it was making available a new high graphics capability kit. The kit is called the Android Native Developer Kit (NDK).
This kit is set up to bypass Java operations on Android so that developers will be able to work with the Android hardware system faster than before. While most apps are built around Java because it is a development tool that is hardware and OS neutral, the developed app will be constrained by the operational speed at which Java allows the app to run. In order to increase the speed and response time of the system, the NDK will give developers a way to get to the hardware.
Android Native Developer Kit (NDK)
The NDK provides the following items:
- Tool sets that build files that can be used to generate native code libraries from C and C++ sources
- It provides a way to incorporate the corresponding libraries into application package files (.apks) which can be used on Android devices
- There is a set of native system headers and libraries that can support future versions of the Android platform.
OpenGL is a programming interface that is used for games and other applications. Supporting this interface with the NDK will help programmers who’ve already written games to move easily to Android.
But gaming is not the only app in the horizon. Mozilla is also getting on the bandwagon. It is bringing to Android the mobile version of Firefox using the NDK tool set. If browsers apps are being developed using this technology for the speed and process features available, others will also follow.
What are the effects?
A more sophisticated programming environment for Android apps development will additional functionality for programmers to pursue new ways of presenting their application. Robustness and speed, always the hallmarks will be taken to new dimensions.
This is another way that Android will separate itself from the pack of mobile phones that are starting to flood the market place. If the apps work as intended, more functional apps may appear sometime this year.
Source: What is the Android NDK?
