Android has been the leading ecosystem since practically the birth of smartphones . Based on Linux, this operative system is also a fertile platform for which, according to data from the Google Play Store itself, more than 1,800,000 applications have been published as of November 2015 ; 250,000 in the last year alone. In Europe it is the absolute leader, dominating a Spanish market share of 87%, ahead of Germany with 72% and Italy with 66.3%..
Number of app's available from Google Play Store. Source: Statista.
But Android goes beyond the smartphone market . Android TV is constantly expanding on smart TVs ; every day more vehicles include full compatibility with the Android Auto standard; and Android Wear stands out as an OS designed especially for wearables — wearable technology: watches, smart bracelets, etc. From its first version to the current Marshmallow (6.0.1), Android has been growing and, consequently, demanding professionals to cover its new commercial spectrum.
Thanks to this proliferation, on the Internet we can find a good handful of free and intuitive courses, ranging from the mere review or initiation for lay people to the specialization of those who want to strengthen their curriculum. Let's look at some of the best below..
1. Starting from the bottom
This free PDF manual created by the Complutense University of Madrid is a great guide to understanding some basic concepts.
In addition, Google itself has an extensive glossary of concepts, recommendations and summaries for new developers. From here you can access and thus obtain a theoretical framework to build applications in a Java language environment. They are documents listed and detailed by references and concepts, tools and a glossary of API's — of the English Application Programming Interface , a compilation of subroutines and procedures that serves as a library..
2. Initiation and basic courses
This basic DevCode course is a good way to get into the subject. DevCode is an online education platform, with educational videos and all access at the click of a button . By means of a simple registration it can be executed both on PC and from mobile. Offers initial knowledge of TextView, Layouts, ImageView, and EditText, among others. In this case there is no deadline, as it is available online.
3. Expand knowledge
From Udemy we have one of the most complete free courses that can be found on the web. Anyone with a basic understanding of Java and a computer that can run Eclipse and the Android SDK is eligible. Over 75 lectures and eight hours of video , with graphics and slides, and learn everything from the basics like configuring the PATH system — to set or change variables — to building user interfaces. Ragunath Jawahar is the teacher and the course is currently available online.
Regarding Eclipse, currently Google distributes packages with everything necessary pre-installed, it is simply necessary to download and unzip. In this list they have all the history of Android ADT available. The latest version 23.0.7, which dates from August 2015, includes a custom version of Eclipse (Eclipse Indigo v. 3.7.2) and the SDK packages of tools required for development.
4. Courses from Acamica
Acamica is a virtual community in constant communication with new developers. From there we have this six-level course taught by Matías Roldán. Through 19 video classes and 20 short interactive challenges , with their respective question and answer questionnaire, he guides us to learn from scratch to create Android mobile applications and, finally, find the best way to orient ourselves and publish our final work. Like the previous one, it is an online course, available 24 hours.
5. Complete training suite
CURSOGRAM, apart from its YouTube channel, has a very complete and advanced online course taught by specialist Francisco Sepúlveda. This course consists of 43 unique lessons to learn how to develop , step by step, going from the basic structure of Android applications, working with animations, keypads and menu design, until the moment of publishing the application on Google Play. .
To carry out the course, previous knowledge of Java is required or at least familiarity with the basic concepts of object-oriented programming . Not all course content is free, but the first 51 minutes and 7 lessons with practical examples and guidance work outlines are. The total cost, with supporting certificate, is 39 euros. In this freemium model —pay to unlock— you can also find this 5-hour course taught by Professor David Gassner, from the Lynda website.
6. Training by the hand of Udacity
Udacity is one of the most relevant educational organizations on the internet. Among its massive online courses, this one stands out, entirely in English, lasting approximately 10 weeks and six hours per week, with six core lessons and a final development project . It is also a course coordinated by Reto Meier, a Google employee and one of the key personalities in the team of developers working for Android and its APIs.
7. Free courses from UNAM
The UNAM or National Autonomous University of Mexico, founded on September 21, 1551, has been supporting and promoting courses based on applications and web development for almost a decade. Currently we have four current courses, depending on the degree of depth:
- Android Basics
- Android application development
- Developing advanced applications with Android
- Final project - Building a professional Android application
We want to highlight your advanced application development course for Android, focused on Android Studio, the official development application based on ItelliJ IDEA —the leading development environment—, as well as a step-by-step follow-up of our progress in a professional way, learning about the Materia Design design regulations and its subsequent multitask implementation , to bring the applications to devices such as wearables or televisions.
8. Video tutorials from Youtube
This course, taught by Javier Conde, also co-responsible for the Videotutoriales.com website, consists of 26 videos. Although it is already a few years old, it is popularly known as one of the most complete and educational courses available on YouTube. While you don't have professional certification after doing it, it is a great entry point to get from the basics to, for example, a deep understanding of the Multi Touch system .
9. Introduction to programming from EDX
The well-known EDX website has a good compilation of Android courses, with special mention to this one: it is taught by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, it is entirely in Spanish and, as its bases indicate, it consists of five hours a week for ten weeks and with a Only cost of € 50 for those who want Final Certification. This course begins on April 5 and is taught by the computer science doctor Jesús Tomás Gironés , who has already published 'The great Android book'.
10. Android programming course in Sgoliver
From the Sgoliver website we have this course with which to understand and create step by step an application for mobile phones with Android system. Taught by Salvador Gómez Oliver, it includes an extensive syllabus —including three manuals— that you can visit from here, completely free and available 24 hours a day.
11. INEM course on Android application development
The INEM itself - the National Employment Institute - has this distance course available. Designed by the Tripartite Foundation, this course can be carried out throughout 2016 and does not require special training. It consists of 150 hours, a broad syllabus, and two additional modules oriented to entrepreneurship and the internationalization of SMEs , working on the projection and effectiveness of our business projects in foreign markets. Once completed, a Diploma from the Tripartite Foundation for Employment Training is awarded.
The Anglo-Saxon offer is much more granada, with examples like this one from Eduonix or this other, also from Udacity, a nanograde of 185 hours with final certification and the possibility of scaling to the plus version, designed for more specialized developers. Do not forget to visit the news and documentation of Materia Design from here. In any case, the free offer is wide and accessible . A good opportunity to get to know Android in depth and try to get the most out of it.