Heads up, devs: Android 5.1 SDK is now rolling out

With the announcement of Android 5.1’s rollout, we figured it wouldn’t be long before developers were hooked up with upgraded tools to make sure they’re equipped to target the latest version of the platform. The SDK for Android 5.1 is now available for download. It’ll be identified as API level 22.

There isn’t much new to be had for developers in this particular update, though there are a couple of important things to note. For starters, there are new APIs that make it easy for you to make sure your app behaves properly in the event that your app is being used on a dual-SIM phone.

It was especially important for Google to introduce dual-SIM support with the launch of Android One in developing countries so it should be equally important for you to make sure your app plays along nicely. Other changes in the SDK include the deprecation of HTTP classes in favor of the new URLConnection classes, and improved carrier provision tools. Be sure to get updated as soon as possible.

[via Google]

Devs: here’s how you can use Google’s new Places API for Android (and iOS)

Just as Google alluded to when they announced the most recent version of Google Play Services, the Places API is now officially available for developers to tap into. Here’s a quick list of everything it will allow developers to do:

• Add a place picker: a drop-in UI widget that allows your users to specify a place


• Get the place where the user is right now


• Show detailed place information, including the place’s name, address, phone number, and website


• Use autocomplete to save your users time and frustration typing out place names, by automatically completing them as they type


• Make your app stand out by adding new places that are relevant to your users and seeing the places appear in Google’s Places database


• Improve the map around you by reporting the presence of a device at a particular place.

Sounds like some very rich functionality that should enhance any location-infused app. Documentation right here will get you started, and there are also code examples available here if that’s more your thing. Go forth and make it painless to use GPS and Places in your Android app!

[via Google]

Pushbullet devs introduce super simple WiFi file transfer app called Portal [VIDEO]

The developers behind Pushbullet are gearing up to bring a big update to the push notification app soon, but first they dropped a brand new app on us. It’s called Portal, and it enables you to transfer files from your computer to your Android phone.

It’s not super exciting or some new concept, but it is simple, and it is fast. It works by transferring files over your local WiFi network, so you don’t have to deal with shoddy connection and server speeds. Files transferred to your phone are easily accessed either within the app or Android’s standard file browser.

It’s different from Pushbullet’s file transfer feature which can work even if your two devices aren’t on the same network. We’re not sure why it couldn’t simply be brought to Pushbullet as a new feature, but we won’t complain — it’s free and it’s awesome.

The developers have plans for big updates soon, including the ability to transfer files from your phone to PC.

And that’s about it. Like we said: simple, but sweet. Give it a go over at Google Play.

[via Pushbullet]