Are you working on an Android™ app that you’d like users to experience on an external device like a TV or monitor? If your Xperia™ smartphone (or other Android™ device) has an HDMI port, then your app should detect when it’s plugged into a powered high-definition screen to ensure the display is rendered properly on the larger screen. This quick tutorial includes some code that shows you how. Read more after the jump.
Phone content shown on a TV using the HDMI connection.
A number of Sony and Sony Ericsson phones (Xperia™ arc, Xperia™ arc S, Xperia™ neo, Xperia™ pro, Xperia ion™ and Xperia™ S) feature a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. When you connect an HDMI cable, the screen content shown on the device is automatically mirrored to the larger screen. In some cases, maybe the app developer intentionally wants to prevent the HDMI port becoming active, if the content is only meant for the handset screen. But if you want your app to receive and render content via the HDMI port, your app must be registered to receive HDMI port status changes.
An application can detect if the device is connect via an HDMI connector by listening to the broadcast intent:
"com.sonyericsson.intent.action.HDMI_EVENT"
This intent carries an extra parameter that contains information regarding if HDMI is in use. This extra parameter is named:
"com.sonyericsson.intent.extra.HDMI_STATE"
The supported HDMI states are: “HDMI_OFF” and “HDMI_IN_USE.”
In this case, you will need to prepare a BroadcastReceiver listening to that event, as shown by the following sample code:
In AndroidManifest.xml:
<receiver android:name=".HdmiListener">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.sonyericsson.intent.action.HDMI_EVENT" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
In the source code of the BroadcastReceiver:
public class HdmiListener extends BroadcastReceiver {
static String HDMIAPPEXTRA = "abrisHdmiExtraParameter";
// Just a name for my launched activity
private static String HDMIINTENT = "com.sonyericsson.intent.action.HDMI_EVENT";
private static final String EXTRA_HDMI_STATE =
"com.sonyericsson.intent.extra.HDMI_STATE";
@Override
public void onReceive(Context ctxt, Intent receivedIt) {
String action = receivedIt.getAction();
if (action.equals(HDMIINTENT)){
String extras = receivedIt.getStringExtra(EXTRA_HDMI_STATE);
Intent it = new Intent(ctxt,HdmiFromIntent.class);
it.putExtra(HDMIAPPEXTRA, extras);
it.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
ctxt.startActivity(it);
//Do whatever you want to do – preferably
//hand an intent to a service instead of
//launching an activity – in this case a UI was
//desired for demo purpose.
}
}
}
It’s as easy as that. So if you haven’t yet bothered ensuring that your Android™ app detects HDMI, just remember that several Xperia™ smartphones, and other Android phone manufacturers, have an HDMI port. Including HDMI connection is a small fix for your app that could go a long way, and might help your app stand out from similar apps missing the feature. Interested in trying out the HDMI API? Let us know how it goes and if you have any questions.
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As you all know, a couple of 2011 Xperia smart phones have already been updated to ICS and the rest of them will gett the update in the coming days. About the 2012 lineup, Sony has already confirmed that the users will have to wait until the end of June to taste ICS.
Now a video has popped up on youtube demoing ICS on Xperia S. The video that stretches to 5 minutes covers all most all the aspects except the web browser. Everything works flawless and it seems the Cosmic flow wallpaper is no more a live wallpaper! Another interesting addition is the Walkman player that we saw in the recently announced Xperia SX and Xperia GX. Camera is now accessible from the lock screen but is irrelevant when there is the dedicated fast capture camera button already on the Xperia NXT phones. The widgets have changed and as expected Sony has added re sizable widgets. To know more, here’s the video:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source : Youtube
Sony Mobile today have given out some updates on the upcoming Ice Cream Sandwich firmware that is currently being rolled. Unfortunately there is good news and bad news, so I will start with the good news first.
Android version 4.0.3 has been going around the globe for a month for the Xperia Arc S, Xperia Ray and Xperia Neo V.
Xperia Arc, Xperia Neo, Xperia Mini, Xperia Mini Pro, Xperia Pro, Xperia Active and SE Live With Walkman will receive Android 4.0.4 from next week onwards. Realistically, this means that it will (probably) be released to the Nordic countries first, then hitting Europe and the UK at roughly the same time, followed by the rest of the world. It was also revealed that Xperia Arc S, Xperia Ray and Xperia Neo V will also get the 4.0.4 update. No timeline was given for when this update would reach those handsets though.
As for the 2012 devices, the Xperia S will be getting ICS (we assume 4.0.4 but there was no mention of what version) from the end of June. The Xperia P will be next to receive ICS, but no date was given. The Xperia U will receive ICS in Q3.
Now the bad news: For those that have read this article, you will of noticed that I have not mentioned the Xperia Play. Unfortunately, the bad news is for you folks, as Sony Mobile has decided not to release ICS of any version for this phone. The reasoning for this is that the performance for games was not a “consistent and stable experience“. Sure, I could believe that, but it was said that the kernel would not be updated on the 2011 series as the devs that work for Sony Mobile (or under SE at the time) had worked very hard at that kernel. I can’t but feel that if they updated that then the Xperia Play might benefit from it the most.
That being the case, I would have to question whether the ICS update for the 2011 devices are going to be worth it. We heard Sony Mobile shooting themselves in the foot, and quickly correcting themselves. Are they sure that they have everything “optimized”? We would love your thoughts on this.
Source: Sony Mobile via XperiaBlog
Our search for apps and app ideas that can be extended through the Sony SmartWatch kicked into full gear at last week’s AnDevCon and with great success. We got a great response from those attending the SmartWatch session and lines of developers eager to share their SmartWatch app extension ideas with our judges. Close to 100 SmartWatches were handed out among the 1,200 developers in attendance.
In addition, we will today start to ship the first SmartWatch devices to those developers who have applied online. Read on to learn how you can submit your apps/app ideas and get a free SmartWatch, as well as promotion in Sony online media channels if your app is successful!
Magnus Helgstrand, Accessories Engineer at Sony Mobile.
AnDevCon, the annual technical conference for software developers building Android apps, took place last week in the San Francisco Bay Area. Given that it is attended by intermediate to advanced developers, it provided the perfect vehicle for presenting a SmartWatch developer session from Magnus Helgstrand, one of our engineers in the accessory team at Sony Mobile. Magnus spoke to a packed audience, going over the full features of SmartWatch, the Smart Extension SDK including the SmartWatch sensor API, and how to use the accelerometer in Android applications.
Magnus Helgstrand presenting the SmartWatch developer session at AnDevConIII.
Here is some of the feedback we got from the audience:
- Really nice API! It took me less than 1 hour to make a new app to run on SmartWatch.
- Excellent potential with this device. Looking forward to trying out new ideas with it.
- Seriously considering extending one of my apps to the SmartWatch.
For more information about his session (called “SmartWatch Development 101: Transforming the Mobile User Experience through Sony Smart Accessories”) check out the slides in his SmartWatch presentation.
SmartWatch submission updates
In the coming week, we will start sending out SmartWatches to selected developers who have submitted proposals through the online survey. We have selected a few of the most interesting ideas among those who applied early. For all developers who have already submitted proposals (either in person or online), you will receive an email notification from the selection committee whether or not your proposal was accepted. We will continue to scan the ideas you send in and ship devices until June 26, when we close the application forms.
Get a free SmartWatch and get promoted in Sony’s social media channels
The Sony SmartWatch app campaign was kicked off a few weeks ago, and aims to find the most brilliant apps and ideas for SmartWatch, Sony’s micro display for Android smartphones. Most importantly, we’re looking for existing apps that have great SmartWatch potential – such as apps with existing services that can show notifications on the SmartWatch. We’re also looking for apps in progress, apps that could be paired with any of the SmartWatch’s API features – notification capabilities, accelerometer, control API and widget API. So if you’re a developer with an existing app, or with a good idea and a plan to create one, you can still submit your proposal to us online, and if we like the idea, you will get a free SmartWatch to help start you developing.
SmartWatch and Smart Wireless Headset pro.
Our main objective for this campaign is to increase the number of SmartWatch-supported apps on Google Play. Therefore as a bonus, if you create and upload your SmartWatch app extension to Google Play before June 26, 2012 (given it’s a solid app), we will also send you Smart Wireless Headset pro. On top of that, if yours is a really cool or useful app, we might ask to promote your app Sony’s social media channels, like the Sony Mobile Facebook page (with close to 7 million fans). You might also be part of Sony’s Recommender app, installed on more than 10 million Sony Xperia™ smartphones.
To submit your app proposal and possibly get a free SmartWatch, and find out all the details about the campaign, check out our SmartWatch app campaign post. For more information on how to get started developing SmartWatch app extensions, check out the Smart Extension SDK.
Talented developers found at AnDevCon
At AnDevCon, we invited attendees to submit their forms and pitch their ideas to us in person. Although we had long lines to deal with, we got several great app ideas, ranging from medical to maritime to military uses, and nearly 100 people went home with a SmartWatch of their own. We also spoke to two of our Sony engineers, Anupam Nath and Ke Chang, who were evaluating the ideas submitted at AnDevCon.
Ke Chang, engineer at Sony Mobile.
– Developers were really interested in the SmartWatch at AnDevCon, says Ke Chang. It was great seeing everyone’s enthusiasm and if the ideas people pitched us will materialise, there will be a lot of really cool new apps for SmartWatch soon.
Anupam Nath, Staff Engineer at Sony Mobile.
– We received so many innovative ideas from so many awesome developers all day long, Anupam Nath adds. It’s tremendous to see people excited about this product, and coming up with ideas that really could help people enrich their lives.
***
Do you have an existing Android app that would work well with SmartWatch? Or do you have a working idea for a SmartWatch app? Check out the SmartWatch app campaign post and submit your proposal right away to get a free SmartWatch. Happy developing!
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Jak poinformował blog Sony Mobile, w przyszłym tygodniu rozpocznie się aktualizacja systemu Android dla modelów Xperia arc, Xperia neo, Xperia mini, Xperia mini pro, Xperia pro, Xperia active i Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman. Wymienione smartfony otrzymają wersję Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4. Przypomnijmy, że niedawno aktualizowane Xperia arc S, Xperia ray i Xperia neo V otrzymały wersję 4.0.3. Jednocześnie w oświadczeniu znalazła się informacja o wstrzymaniu prac nad nową wersją systemu dla modelu Xperia Play. Dlaczego? Developerzy i partnerzy Sony stwierdzili, że stabilne działanie, szczególnie w grach nie może być zagwarantowane dla tego smartfona z Androidem w wersji 4.0. Swoją decyzję tłumaczą troską o użytkowników. Xperia Play z ICS byłaby bowiem niestabilna, przez co Sony naraziłoby swoich klientów na gorszą jakość usług. Swojego niezadowolenia nie kryją posiadacze pierwszego smartfona certyfikowanego marką playStation, którzy po oświadczeniu, zaczęli ostro krytykować firmę, która nie dotrzymała obietnicy.
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