Why we should spread the LOVE to Android

[toaster468]

Android is an open source mobile phone OS that out numbered iOS (iPhone, iPod touch). Applications are written in Java, this plus the open source Android allow for a fairly easy port of the excellent framework we already have.

[bartbes]

The lies, and the lack of necessity!

Applications are written in Java, [...] fairly easy port

Wait what? Java doesn't help us a bit.

But more importantly, afaik none of us have an android phone and/or the drive.

[kikito]

I do have an android phone. I've been doing some experiments lately.

The biggest downer is that Android seems to pretty much require you to install Eclipse, which is a mammoth. And android isn't very console-friendly - this is the minimal console command for building a hello word app from the console:

Code: Select all

android create project --package com.example.helloandroid \
  --activity HelloAndroid \
  --target 3 \
  --path <path-to-project-folder>/HelloAndroid

The rubyist in me wants to run away. I'd rather use a simple editor and simpler command-line arguments.

Now, there are some good things.

First, you don't actually need to have an android device to program in android - all versions of android come with an emulator. I know it is not like the real thing, but it's worth mentioning.

Second, you are not limited to java any more. With the Android NDK, you can compile C/C++ too.

Finally, it's also worth mentioning that there is at least one closed-sourced engine out there using Lua on Android - Corona. The most advanced open-sourced thing I could find was AndroLua, which is nice because it includes LuaJava, which gives you access to all Java libs from inside Lua.

Regards!

[Jasoco]

On the one hand, I just got an Android phone and wouldn't mind installing some Löve on it.

On the other hand, my iPod touch is much faster, and much better at games and has a much higher resolution. And we're still waiting on that, so, I don't see it happening soon. Android is so fragmented.

And Android only surpassed iOS because Android phones are available on so many more carriers. And the iPhone only just got opened up to a second one. (With more in the future.)

And what does Java have to do with Löve? Löve is a Lua scripting environment.

We sure so have a lot of "Löve needs to be ported to so and so" threads. I mean, I would love to see it on every platform out there, but let's get it to 1.0 on computers first before we start seriously branching out.

[Robin]

And what does Java have to do with Löve? Löve is a Lua scripting environment.

Not to mention that LÖVE itself is written in C++.

We sure so have a lot of "Löve needs to be ported to so and so" threads. I mean, I would love to see it on every platform out there, but let's get it to 1.0 on computers first before we start seriously branching out.

Naw, release early, release often on other platforms as well. It might take a while, but 1.0 is still very far away anyway. Wouldn't it be nice if we would blind the world in omni-platform loveliness when 1.0 is released?

[tentus]

And what does Java have to do with Löve? Löve is a Lua scripting environment.

Not to mention that LÖVE itself is written in C++.

The Android NDK lets you write in C++. I haven't used it personally, but I have quite a few friends/family that are all about some Android development. (Point in case: my older brother makes all of his beer money via Android apps. That's a lot of money.)

If we were to branch in any direction, I think I'd like to see Android most of all. There's just so much untapped potential in the Android market.

[bartbes]

The NDK is however, a horrible solution, as far as I know. You need to compile all dependencies, which is doable, but annoying, but mostly, you still need to write a java wrapper. (Of course there's no other option.)

[kalle2990]

Yeah, you need to compile everything for the ARM processor and dynamic libraries seems to be broken, forcing the use of static ones. But, in the NDK for Android >2.3 there are some new API's, including native support for catching sensor events such as finger, gyrometer and other stuff. Android 2.3 on the other hand isn't in very many devices yet tho..

[miko]

I do have an android phone. I've been doing some experiments lately.

Me too

The biggest downer is that Android seems to pretty much require you to install Eclipse, which is a mammoth. And android isn't very console-friendly - this is the minimal console command for building a hello word app from the console:

I have managed to compile, transfer and run an application on my android phone, without installing eclipse, according to this tutorial (yes, it was written in haxe):
http://gamehaxe.com/2010/09/30/android- ... art-guide/

Second, you are not limited to java any more. With the Android NDK, you can compile C/C++ too.

I would say it would be difficult to use java from within your application anyway, you would need to create a bridge between your C++ app and java.
My application uses SDL, so the binary contains it all (SDL with my code), which is quite heavy for the phone. For love you would need also SDL compiled in I guess.

Finally, it's also worth mentioning that there is at least one closed-sourced engine out there using Lua on Android - Corona. The most advanced open-sourced thing I could find was AndroLua, which is nice because it includes LuaJava, which gives you access to all Java libs from inside Lua.

There is also luarida, but if there is any documentation, it is hard to read (at least for me):
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/luarida

[Jasoco]

We sure so have a lot of "Löve needs to be ported to so and so" threads. I mean, I would love to see it on every platform out there, but let's get it to 1.0 on computers first before we start seriously branching out.

Naw, release early, release often on other platforms as well. It might take a while, but 1.0 is still very far away anyway. Wouldn't it be nice if we would blind the world in omni-platform loveliness when 1.0 is released?

Okay, fine. You get right on that. I expect working iOS and Android prototypes of Löve by March 1st running at a solid 60FPS. (With stuff actually being drawn, of course.)