Google is the last company we would have expected to botch a platform launch. But, in hindsight, they may have rushed things a bit more than would have been prudent. After all, there’s a fair amount of heat coming from Cupertino, and we’re sure Google didn’t want to get burned by holding off on Android any longer than they did.
There’s a problem. Developers are getting frustrated trying to deal with the Android SDK‘s bugs and lack of documentation. Furthermore, Google’s ommission of a tracking system for reported issues is hindering the Android development push. The general feeling in the land of Android-development is that the platform just isn’t ready to the big-time. Bugs have to be ironed out, documentation needs to be published, and an issue-tracking system needs to be developed.
Still, Ars Technica‘s Ryan Paul took a whack at the Android SDK and found that “Despite some of the bugs and limitations in the API, it is definitely a viable and effective platform for application development.” He goes on to say that the API is “conducive to rapid application development, but there are still some gaps… it doesn’t make it easy to create applications that have a really polished look and feel.”
Hey Google, get that documentation out quick. Apple’s iPhone SDK is looming and you just don’t have the time to fiddle with whatever pet-projects are responsible for this Android-oversight. We can’t wait for those first Android devices next year, they better not be filled with bugs (or look huge/ugly, for that matter)!
[Via: Ars Technica]