The Ericsson Application Awards is a yearly, global competition that provides an opportunity for Android™ application developers to gain visibility and reach out to customers via Ericsson’s distribution channels. The competition is open to students and small companies, and is sponsored in cooperation with Sony. This year, the theme of the competition was “Apps for the Networked Society,” which focused on innovation connecting people, things and places to empower society. Check out the Ericsson Application Awards website for more information about the competition and the four finalists, along with information about the live webcast from the prize ceremony. And why not submit your own app next year?

Get all the details after the jump!

Sony SmartWatch range of colours.

Develop a SmartWatch app extension – earn a FREE SmartWatch, FREE headset, FREE app promotion

Have you started developing an app for the Sony SmartWatch, our smart micro display accessory for Android smartphones? Or maybe you’ve got a cool idea in mind? Whatever your inspiration may be, we’re now kicking off a campaign in search of great SmartWatch app innovations, and in return, we’re ready to give you your own SmartWatch if you’re a qualified developer.

But the story doesn’t end there. If you create and upload your SmartWatch app extension to Google Play before June 26 2012, we will show our gratitude to the most useful (in our mind) Smart Watch app extensions from developers, by handing out a large number of Smart Wireless Headset pros.

And if you’ve created a really cool or useful app, we might ask for your app to be promoted in Sony’s online marketing channels, like the Sony Mobile Facebook page (with close to 7 million fans), as well as getting a slot in the Recommender app, installed on more than 10 million Sony Xperia™ smartphones. If we think your app extension has what it takes, we will contact you for further discussions.

Step 1 – coming up with an idea and applying for a SmartWatch
So if you’re an Android developer interested in creating a SmartWatch app extension, start with the following steps:

1. Come up with a solid idea for a SmartWatch app extension. Feel free to check out the Smart Extension SDK for reference.
2. Apply for a free SmartWatch using this form.

To get a SmartWatch, you must be an Android developer with some experience, and we want you to have a solid idea for what you want to develop. Please provide your name, email and a shipping address so that we can get in contact with you and send you the device if you’re selected. This initiative is open for applications globally, but we prioritise app extensions in English.

Step 2 – develop, upload and notify us about your SmartWatch app extension
To continue on your SmartWatch app extension project, and to apply for a headset and potential promotion in Sony online marketing channels, please follow these steps:

1. Develop a useful SmartWatch app extension using the Smart Extension SDK.
2. Submit it to Google Play according the guidelines in the Smart Extension SDK.
3. Apply for a free headset and promotion in Sony online marketing channels by notifying us. Just enter some short information about your app extension and shipping details in this form no later than June 26 2012.

We will go through all app extensions submitted and get in contact with all those getting a headset, as well as those who we want to promote.

Apply directly at AnDevCon or Google I/O

Now if you’re planning to attend either AnDevCon or later Google I/O, you’ll be able to apply and get a SmartWatch straight away! Just come up and talk to us in the booth, and we’ll explain all the details. AnDevCon III is happening from the 14^th of 17^th of May at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, California. You can find us in booth #406. If you’re going to AnDevCon, remember not to miss our SmartWatch developer session on Wednesday, May 16^th at 3:30 PM where you’ll learn how to develop your own SmartWatch app extensions to create new, innovative use cases and get better visibility. Find out more about this, including a discount code, in our AnDevCon III blog post.

So who’s up for the challenge?

More information

• Download and learn how to develop apps using the Smart Extension SDK.
• Check the Smart Extension SDK blog post and video.
• Read the SmartWatch Development 101 session abstract on our Developer World Event Calendar.
• Register now for AnDevCon III.
• Get the technical specs for SmartWatch.
• Stay connected with us and all our latest AnDevCon news through Twitter (@SonyXperiaDev).

Read more about Xperia™ GX and Xperia™ SX after the jump.

Key features of Xperia™ GX

• 1.5GHz dual-core processor for fast performance.
• 16 GB internal flash storage.
• 4.6” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® engine.
• 13 MP camera resolution with Sony Exmor R for mobile.
• HD video recording.
• Will be launched with Google™ Android™ 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Key features of Xperia™ SX

• 1.5GHz dual-core processor for fast performance.
• 8 GB internal flash storage.
• 3.7” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® engine.
• 8 MP camera resolution with Sony Exmor R for mobile.
• HD video recording.
• Infrared port data exchange.
• Mobile wallet.
• Mobile TV.
• Launched with Google™ Android™ 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Xperia™ GX and Xperia™ SX will be available to the Japanese market from summer 2012. The available colours are black and white. For more information, check out the official Xperia GX and Xperia SX press release.

AnDevCon is all about Android developers
AnDevCon III is happening from the 14^th of 17^th of May at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, California. The event is one of the most influential Android conferences in the world. As a major sponsor, we’ll have our own booth (#406) where you can try out our latest smartphones and Smart Extras, including the new Sony SmartWatch.

Don’t miss the Sony SmartWatch developer session
If you come visit us at the booth, you’ll also have an opportunity to chat with Sony business managers and developer engineers. Most importantly, we’re hosting a developer session on Wednesday, May 16^th at 3:30 PM where Magus Helgstrand from the Sony Mobile Companion Products team will teach you how to develop your own SmartWatch app extensions. By doing so, you can create new, innovative use cases and get better visibility by getting exposed in the SmartWatch ecosystem. For more information on this session, and to get some hands on demonstrations of other new Sony products, come to booth #406.

Apply to get SmartWatch
Starting shortly, we will also setup a SmartWatch developer incentive, where you can apply to get a SmartWatch for free if you are planning to develop an app extension for SmartWatch. If you notify us about your app extension and once you’ve uploaded it to Google Play, we will send you a complimentary headset (if you’ve created a substantial app extension). The most interesting new app extensions will also have the chance to get promoted in Sony’s online marketing channels!

More information about this incentive will be published shortly on this site. But the best thing is, that if you’re attending AnDevCon, you can come talk to us at the booth and apply to get a SmartWatch straight away!

Get a discount on your conference pass
It’s not too late to register for AnDevCon. As a compliment, you can use the discount code SONY on the AnDevCon registration page and you’ll save $200 US off the full conference pass!

So will you be going to AnDevCon this year? What are you most looking forward to?

More information

• Read the SmartWatch Development 101 session abstract on our Developer World Event Calendar.
• Learn more and register for AnDevCon III.
• Get the technical specs for SmartWatch.
• Learn how to develop apps using the Smart Extension SDK.
• Stay connected with us and all our latest AnDevCon news through Twitter (@SonyXperiaDev).

Anfish is an open source project with the purpose to provide you with interesting stats related to your Android device. You can see the popularity of different Android OS versions, as well as the percentage of Android devices that are rooted. You can also see what devices and network operators are popular, and you can get stats by country or worldwide presented in neat pie charts.

In addition to the statistics data, Anfish also provides detailed information about your smartphone’s type of ROM, CPU, storage, camera and sensors among other things. Download Anfish on Google Play and let us know if you like it as much as we do!

More information

• Download Anfish on Google Play.
• Check out the Anfish open source project site.
• Visit AZSoft Technology Inc.

Continue reading for downloads, details on the extensions and instructions how to use them!

Music player extension running on SmartWatch. When integrated with a music player, it shows info about track and artist.

Extend your music player to SmartWatch with the Music extension
The Music extension is used to control music playback on the phone from the SmartWatch accessory. It shows the track currently being played and you can start or pause playback, go to next track, go to previous track and control the volume. The open source version of the Music extension works with the Android vanilla Music player or by emulating media button key events.

The Music extension is designed to make it easy to integrate your own music player. In the Music extension, each supported player is interfaced through the PlaybackService interface. The Music extension already includes the GenericPlaybackService for the Android vanilla Music player, and the MediaButtonPlaybackService that sends MediaButtonIntents to the player registered in the Android AudioManager. To make an extension for your own music player you must implement another instance of the PlaybackService interface that knows how to control your own music player. This new class should then be added to the MediaPlayerAdapter and MusicRemotePreference in a similar way as the existing services. For more details on how to add support for your music player, see the SmartWatch extensions open source code.

Screenshot showing 8 Game on the Sony SmartWatch. The user can choose to play the games with numbered tiles or use an image from the phone.

Develop your own game based on the 8 Game extension
The 8 Game extension is a simple puzzle game for SmartWatch. The purpose of the game is to reorder the tiles on the screen until you see the full image. You can either use an image on the phone, or use tiles with numbers. To move a tile, you press it, or swipe it in the direction you want to move it. Once the tiles are in the correct order, you can choose to share the results by e-mail, SMS text message or through a social media app. If you long press during the game, it will bring up a menu where you can start a new game.

How to download and import projects into Eclipse
To use the Music player and 8 Game extensions, you need to download our Smart Extension SDK. Both these extensions are built using the Smart Extension API, and the helper classes from the Smart Extension Utils, which are part of the Smart Extension SDK. The Smart Extension API and the Smart Extension Utils are two separate Android library projects that must be imported into Eclipse to be able to build the extensions.

How to import the Smart Extension SDK into Eclipse:

1. Download and extract the Smart Extension SDK.
2. In Eclipse, click File > New > Project… > Android > Android Project > Create from the existing source and select the SmartExtensionAPI. Set the project name to SmartExtensionAPI.
3. Click File > New > Project… > Android > Android Project > Create from the existing source and select the SmartExtensionUtils. Set the project name to SmartExtensionUtils.

How to import the extensions into Eclipse:

1. Download the SmartWatch extensions.
2. Extract the extensions to the same folder as the SDK.
3. In Eclipse, click File > New > Project… > Android > Android Project > Create from the existing source and select the MusicExtension or the EightPuzzleExtension depending on which project you want to use.

The NovaThor™ U8500 consists of the DB8500 dual core ARM® Cortex™-A9 SoC (system on chip) with ARM® Mali™ 400MP graphics and a built-in HSPA+/4G 14Mbps modem, as well as peripheral chips that handle audio, USB, power and SIM card functions. This platform Integrates a single chip and a dual core 1GHz application processor. It’s also the first integrated smartphone platform that offers symmetric multi-processing dual core technology in combination with a high-end 3D graphics accelerator, to enable high mobile computing and graphics performance.

A symmetric multi-processing-enabled (SMP) platform allows different processes to be split among several processors based on performance and power requirements. For example, a smartphone running multiple applications simultaneously can spread applications across different processors, while individual computer-intensive applications can also exploit multi-processing by means of software multi-threading. This is a well-known technique used for PCs and high-performance computing, now being used in the Xperia™ sola, Xperia™ P and Xperia™ U.

Symmetric multi-processing (SMP) = more efficient power consumption

One huge advantage of SMP in mobile applications is more efficient power consumption, which will be very apparent to the end user. Multi-processing uses lower voltages and will allow users to do much more on a single battery charge.  Instead of a single processor running at full capacity to complete a task, multiple processors can work half as hard enabling the entire chip to run at a lower temperature, creating less leakage. This allows an SMP system to deliver the same level of CPU performance one might expect from a larger and faster uni-processor CPU, while using less power.

ARM Cortex-A9 processor for increased power efficiency and peak performance

Cortex-A9 MPCore architecture.

The chipset of the NovaThor™ U8500 platform incorporates the ARM Cortex-A9 processor, with key features that include increased power efficiency with higher performance for lower power consumption. ARM’s MPCore technology incorporates design flexibility and advanced power management techniques to operate within thermal contrainsts and tight mobile power budgets. The processor also has the ability to share software and tool investments across multiple devices. The Cortex-A9 implementation in the U8500 platform is also power optimised, which is important for thermally-constrained devices such as mobile phones. The Cortex-A9 uses a hard macro implementation that delivers a peak performance of 4000 DMIPs while consuming less than 250mW per CPU when selected from typical silicon.

Mali™-400MP provides the complete graphics stack for embedded graphics

ARM® Mali™-400 MP architecture.

On the NovaThor™ U8500 platform it’s possible to get close to console-quality gaming graphics thanks to the Mali-400 MP GPU. It’s the first OpenGL ES 2.0 conformant, multi-core GPU that provides 3D acceleration with performance scalable up to 1080p resolutions. The Mali™-400 MP supports 3D, shader-based and fixed function graphic and is based on open standards (OpenGL ES 1.1 and 2.0). Among the general architectural features of ARM Mail:

• Advanced tile-based deferred rendering and local buffering of intermediate pixel states for reduced memory bandwidth overhead and lower power consumption.
• Efficient alpha blending of multiple layers in hardware for unlimited number of blended layers without additional bandwidth consumption or unexpected performance drops.
• Full Scene Anti-Aliasing (FSAA) using rotated grid multi sampling for significantly higher quality and performance than alternative oversampling methods.
• Integrated Memory Management Unit (MMU) based on standard ARM MMU which allows virtualisation of GPU memory resources and fine-grained memory protection.
• Fully autonomous GPU that enables maximum parallelisation of CPU and GPU tasks.
• Independent CPU and GPU power management to maximise battery life, and minimise heat dissipation.

Complex apps with multi-threading? No problem!

As the performance and processing capabilities increase in mobile devices, this allows for more complex development that can be written in a more parallel way, such as multi-threaded applications. These types of apps are ideal for achieving the true benefits of SMP. Threads make up the processes in applications, do not need to keep going back to the OS for resources, and multiple threads can run at the same time on multiple cores. With SMP, software apps (like web browsers) that are multi-threaded see increased performance, faster response times and an overall improved user experience.

Want to know more? Key developer resources and more information from ST Ericsson

ST-Ericsson Developers site.

If you’re a software developer interested in leveraging NovaThor™ technology, here are some ST-Ericsson resources available to you. The Igloo open source community is a collaborative site that accelerates the development of system and software innovations for Android, Ubuntu and Linaro embedded devices based on ST-Ericsson’s platforms. You can also get information from the ST-Ericsson Developer Community site, which provides downloadable reference and user manuals, as well as licensing for application developers. Additional technical information, including RSS feed subscription, is available on the ST-Ericsson technology blog.

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So what do you think Developer World-readers, did you find this article interesting? Please let us know if you have suggestions on other topics you would like to know more about.

More information

• Get additional specs on the NovaThor U8500 platform.
• Find developer resources on the ST-Ericsson Developer Community site.
• Subscribe to ST-Ericsson RSS feeds on the ST-Ericsson technology blog.
• Check out the Igloo open source community.
• Read the Mali GPU OpenGL ES Application Developer Guide.
• Download the ARM Cortex A9 Processor white paper.

If you join the open beta program, you will be granted access to the PlayStation®Suite SDK and the PlayStation®Suite Development Assistant. This means you can create games and apps, and work with testing and debugging on PlayStation™certified devices and PlayStation® Vita during the beta period. While developing, it’s possible to make use of physical buttons as well as the touchscreen, by using the integrated development environment (IDE) and simulator for the PC, which are both included in the PlayStation®Suite SDK.

In addition to this, you will get access to the Developers Forum where you can discuss and interact with other developers, as well as staff from PlayStation® team.

Interested? Head over to the Developer Program for PlayStation Suite and learn more!

More information

• Learn more about the PlayStationSuite.
• Sign up for the PlayStationSuite Open Beta developer program.
• Check out our Xperia PLAY developer tutorials and recommendations.

As the use of mobile apps becomes a daily part of life, more attention is being paid to how apps collect and use personal data. While some governments have yet to pass laws that require developers to fully disclose when apps collect and transmit data, the State of California has already taken steps to protect app users and will be working with a number of major tech companies to strengthen privacy protection for global app consumers. According to their recent announcement, six of the leading mobile application platforms (including Google) signed an agreement to foster innovation in privacy protection, promote transparency, and facilitate compliance with mobile privacy laws, including the California Online Privacy Protection Act (OPPA).

California mobile app privacy laws

Along with OPPA, mobile app users in California are further protected under California’s Unfair Competition Law or False Advertising Law. Under these regulations, any app that collect personal data from a California resident is required to have a privacy policy that states what information is collected and what that information is used for.  Any app that doesn’t adhere to these standards is subject to prosecution. The act has a very broad scope, so whether you’re a developer based out of Korea, Sweden, or Israel, as long as you have someone accessing your app in California, the same rules apply to you. A California resident can simply file a complaint with the Attorney General or take personal legal action through a private attorney.

Only collect the user data that you need

Assuming that you’ve informed your app users and have their permission, what kind of information should you collect? It should be just the basics, and even then, only the information that you really need. If you have a GPS or navigation-based app, of course it makes sense that you’ll need to location details, but it’s not necessary to have access to users’ contacts list. And if you’ve developed something as basic as a flashlight app, you probably don’t need to collect any information at all.

Protect collected and transmitted user data!

If it’s absolutely necessary to collect and transmit data, you need to ensure that the collected data is handled safely. Employ proper file permissions. Encrypt the locally stored data before sending it to the server to help protect the user’s confidential information. When communicating with a server over HTTP, avoid encoding user information in a URL that is used with HTTP. Instead, post it in a message body. Putting information in the URL increased the chances that it will be automatically logged.

Android Developers Blog – Best practices for handling Android user data.

More best practices for handling Android user data

We also would like to share some valuable hints on how to manage Android user data from Nick Kralevich, an engineer with the Android Security Team. In his article, Nick provides several key points to consider when developing your Android applications:

• Maintain a privacy policy – Trustworthy applications are up-front about the data they collect and the reasons for collecting it. Users are generally happy to share information via such apps if they believe they will personally benefit. A clear and concise privacy policy, with details about the type of information collected and how it’s used, goes a long way towards generating trust and good will.
• Minimise permissions – Android is unique among mobile operating systems for its simple, straightforward, operating-system-enforced permission model. All Android applications must declare the permissions they require, and users must approve these permissions before the application is installed. Users tend to distrust applications that require excessive permissions.
• Give your users a choice regarding data collection – Users are often happy to share their information, but they want control over that sharing. Trustworthy applications give users control over their information. For example, the Android Browser has privacy settings which enable users to control how their information is shared.
• Don’t collect unnecessary information – Trustworthy applications limit the kinds of data they collect. Collecting unnecessary information, especially if you never use it, just invites suspicion. When in doubt, don’t collect it.
• Don’t send data off the device – If you have to handle user data, ensure that the data remains on the device whenever possible. Users are comforted knowing that their private information strictly resides in the phone. Sending data outside the phone, even if done for the user’s benefit, tends to draw suspicion.
• … but if you have to, use encryption and data minimization – Sometimes, the collection of data is necessary. In that case, applications need to ensure that it is handled safely. A privacy policy will avoid leading to surprised and irritated users; in some cases, it may be advisable to prompt the user before transmitting data off-device.
• Don’t use code you don’t understand – In the open-source Android environment, it’s common (and good) practice to rely heavily on other people’s code, in the form of libraries and frameworks. But if that code is handling your users’ information inappropriately, it’s your problem. So make a point of checking code before you rely on it.
• Don’t log device or user specific information – Application developers should be careful about on-device logs. Android makes it easy to write to the phone’s log, and anyone who has looked at “logcat” output knows that it is full of important but seemingly random debugging information from many applications. In Android, logs are a shared resource, and are available to an application with the READ_LOGS permission (only with user consent, of course!). Even though the phone log data is temporary and erased on reboot, inappropriate logging of user information could inadvertently leak user data to other applications.

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When you create a mobile app, it’s usually with the best intentions for your users – you want them to enjoy your game, save some time or money with a handy app, and spread its popularity among friends. At the same time, your users are putting their trust in your app by agreeing to your apps permissions, which includes disclosing personal data. Though you might not have any app users in California, it’s still best practice to your let your users know if you are collecting any information. Keep that trustworthiness going by ensuring your app only collects that data it needs, and make sure you keep that user data secure – your users will truly appreciate it!

App developers and tech enthusiasts, so what do you say? Will you take any extra efforts because of these laws? Are you considering privacy issues while downloading new apps? Make your voice heard!

More information

• Find out about California’s Online Privacy Protection Act (OPPA).
• Read Nick Kravelich’s article on best practices for handling Android user data.
• Learn more about using security and permissions in Android development.
• Get a general overview on Android Security at the Android Open Source Project.