Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud
    • Development
    • Mobile
    • Small Business

    Open Accessory API

    By
    Clint Boulton
    -
    May 13, 2011
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      PrevNext

      1Open Accessory API

      1

      This API will allow developers to support a variety of hardware accessories that enable Android to run on devices way beyond the typical mobile phone and IT environments, such as on exercise bicycles or other household appliances. “Think of it as the beginning of the next wave of Android,” said Hugo Barra, Google’s vice president of Android product management.” This API supports Android 3.1 and Android 2.3, with USB support now. Bluetooth support is forthcoming.

      2Exercise Bike

      2

      This Life Fitness exercise bike is compatible with Android Open Accessory, one of the exhibitors told eWEEK.

      3Exercise Bike Demonstration

      3

      When the user plugs the phone into the bike, the Android API recognized the accessory and an exercise application that “talks” to it. The really cool thing is that if the phone didn’t already have a compatible application, it would send the user to the Android Market to download it.

      4Cardio Game

      4

      That Android Market application, CardioQuest, motivates people to work out on the bike. The Open Accessory API has the bike control CardioQuest. The Android has to keep from crashing.

      5Open Accessory Reference Design

      5

      Google released the hardware and software ADK for an Open Accessory reference design.

      6Googles Labyrinth

      6

      Google used the Open Accessory API for this cool labyrinth game, controlled by the Motorola Xoom tablet and a new ADK.

      7Serious Hardware

      7

      Here’s the actual Android labyrinth game outside the keynote hall, powered by two 200-volt, 50-amp motors. The object of the game is to tilt the ball to follow a line all the way to the end without falling into any of the holes.

      8Play it!

      8

      These women use the Xoom and the ADK to control the bowling ball in the labyrinth. It’s every bit as challenging and fun as it looks.

      9Android@Home

      9

      Building on the Open Accessory API is the Android@Home project. “We’d like to think of your entire home as an accessory, or better yet, as a network of accessories,” said Google engineer Joe Britt. Think of Android as the operating system for your home.” Google expects developers to write applications that control appliances in the home.

      10Lights

      10

      For devices that connect to WiFi, Google created a new wireless protocol that allows Android devices to talk to various appliances. This would cover lights, alarm clocks, dishwashers and thermostats. Here, Britt shows how to control the lights over the stage and later connects a game to the lights to make the lights flash when a user fires their virtual weapon. Britt envisions developers creating an alarm clock application that will play music when the lights go on.

      11Tungsten

      11

      Another application of Android@Home is Project Tungsten, which includes the Android home hub you see here.

      12Hub

      12

      The hub serves as both a standalone endpoint for Google’s Music beta and a bridge to the Android@Home network. The hub runs both the Android OS and the Android@Home software framework. The device connects to the speakers and stereo system.

      13Music

      13

      In this demo, Britt shows how a user can simply tap a CD on the hub to upload the CD’s entire music playlist to the Google Music cloud service. By tapping it again on the hub, the CD begins playing. The CD jewel case includes a near-field communication sensor to talk to the Android home hub.

      PrevNext

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×