MobileOSS

The most used open source bar code engine is zxing. I do not want to dwell into the details of zxing. Please go to the site to know more. It is used by almost all platforms (except Windows Mobile?).
I downloaded the version 1.3 from there and compiled it for Android. I followed the instructions to the dot and still it did not work. Compilation of ZXing threw several unreported IOException errors. I added IOException handling in two files CameraManager.java and CaptureActivity.java and it went away. I also changed the build.properties at the top level of zxing folder for correct path settings and the compilation was finally successful. Then I figured out that these changes had been made in the svn repository :( The compilation is complete and has no errors, now, what next?
Watch this page for the updates

Android phone and I are inseparable ever since I bought it. As the experience is phenomenal, I mindlessly used it for all my social web activities and the data charges really burnt a hole in my pocket :)
Good thing about my jailed version of Android, I believe, is that it allows me to get my hands wet in writing applications for Android; otherwise, I will download applications from market and will never have the urge to try something which I never had done before. My jailed version does not have market application.
I love books and I buy them if the cover is attractive or if the write up in the backpcover is good. I now have become a little wise and stopped buying and I feel I probably miss good ones. I decided to write an application for Android which I can use to scan the code and find reviews of books while I am still in the book store. I want to use the bar code at the back cover and find reviews about them in the Internet.

I hear you shouting, "buddy, there are plenty of applications out there". I know, but it is nothing like doing it yourself and in the process learn something new. I have the curiosity of a toddler and I believe that its my strength.
This is what I am planning in a nutshell.

Scan the code
Identify the book
Go to twitter, blogs,amazon, Barnes and Nobles or wherever and get the reviews.
First cut, I am planning to view one review after the other
Second cut, I am planning to get the sentiments of the review and give a score based on the crowd wisdom

And I promise, I will publish the source and the apk and most of all my learnings

I am trying to understand the android's building block - the activity, intent and intent filters, intent receiver and content providers.

I wrote the first helloWorld program. Looked at the HelloWorld from this perspective and pretty interesting. My first HelloWorld.apk was installed on my machine and it worked :)

I will post my understnading on these four in the upcoming blogs.

I got my Android HTC mobile last week.

I loved my KJAM and have been using it for more than 2.5 years and it worked well. I was not in a mood to buy iPhone or any Android phone. I was thinking of buying a Windows Mobile before I saw the beauty in a shop and fell in love. It is an Airtel locked phone without market application. I am able to download any Android application from Android and install it in my machine.

I installed Nav4All to check the GPS and it works. HTC Magic GPS is able to pick up up to 8 satellites in my location. The Compass is cool. I will write a separate blog entry on Nav4All. Try swinging the mobile and the G moves above 0g in the accelerometer.

I am playing with it and checking out all features.
I am able to connect to my office using ActiveSync and sync up with all my contacts, emails and calendars. One important feature is missing in the email client - it does not show URL as clickable and there is no way I can copy/paste the link in the browser :(

Otherwise, I love my new HTC Magic. I am not planning to try rooting process until I am fed up with the current setup :)

I am also in the process of writing a puzzle game and would post it pretty soon