Google drops Bluetooth, GTalkService APIs from Android 1.0

Google drops Bluetooth, GTalkService APIs from Android 1.0

Daniel Fleshbourne on 26 August 2008 - 11:25 · 14 comments & 6472 views

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Google Inc. dropped Bluetooth and the GTalkService instant messaging APIs from the set of tools for the first version of the mobile phone operating system, Android 1.0, according to the Android Developers Blog. But the company made clear that handsets using the Android OS will work with other Bluetooth devices such as headsets, for example.

Dropping the Bluetooth API (application program interfaces) means software developers won't be able to create applications that utilize Bluetooth for the Android OS. Bluetooth is a short-range radio technology that allows devices to work and communicate together wirelessly. An API is a set of tools and protocols designed to help programmers build new software applications.

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(1 reply) #1 +Ricardo Gil on 26 Aug 2008 - 11:40

But the company made clear that handsets using the Android OS will work with other Bluetooth devices such as headsets, for example.

How exactly is that? Are they hardcoding BT functionality into the OS?

#1.1 WhoTheF on 27 Aug 2008 - 05:34

(Ricardo Gil said @ #1)

But the company made clear that handsets using the Android OS will work with other Bluetooth devices such as headsets, for example.

How exactly is that? Are they hardcoding BT functionality into the OS?

I believe it's the iPhone where you can't transfer files through bluetooth but use it for your bluetooth handsfree device.

(2 replies) #2 +TCLN Ryster on 26 Aug 2008 - 11:46

Bluetooth is a prerequisite for mobile phones these days. If a phone doesn't have bluetooth, I won't be buying that phone. Simple as that.

#2.1 Ledward on 26 Aug 2008 - 11:54

It does have bluetooth; but programs written for the Android phone will be unable to utilise this feature. IMO this is an unacceptable limitation.

#2.2 Laser_iCE on 26 Aug 2008 - 22:24

(Ledward said @ #2.1)

It does have bluetooth; but programs written for the Android phone will be unable to utilise this feature. IMO this is an unacceptable limitation.

For V1.0 ? Sheesh, gimme a break. Let them release the thing first and then expand from there. It's a very small limitation, I believe.

(2 replies) #3 betasp on 26 Aug 2008 - 12:41

Apple was criticized for not including the Bluetooth API in the developer kit, and now Google is dropping theirs. I don't know much about bluetooth implementation, but I wonder if there are technical barriers to properly implementing an API.

#3.1 roadwarrior on 26 Aug 2008 - 16:24

Or maybe it is related to licensing fees.

#3.2 betasp on 26 Aug 2008 - 19:48

(roadwarrior said @ #3.1)

Or maybe it is related to licensing fees.

Good point. I haven't thought of that.

#4 Julius Caro on 26 Aug 2008 - 13:53

That means that developers will have to code the things themselves i nstead of using an API?' I thought that was what iphone developers were doing. I still think that bluetooth is not thaaaaaaaaaaat used

#5 nmesisca on 26 Aug 2008 - 15:51

To me this means only for 1.0 version of Android. I am quite sure they will be including those APIs in the following releases. If they want to come out with the device before year end they probably needed to cut a few things that are not yet fully developed.

(1 reply) #6 Xero on 26 Aug 2008 - 16:52

Google... Android had potential but Google seems to be giving everyone the finger now and tossing it down the ******..

#6.1 +SOOPRcow on 26 Aug 2008 - 22:00

Clam down cowboy, just because they ran out of time to include a specific api doesn't mean they are going to drop it forever.

The company opted to drop the Bluetooth API because "we plain ran out of time," said Nick Pelly, one of the Android engineers responsible for the Bluetooth API, on the blog posting.

"The Android Bluetooth API was pretty far along, but needs some cleanup before we can commit to it for the [software developer's kit]," he added.

Google promised to support a Bluetooth API in a future release of Android, "although we don't know exactly when that will be."

Please try and read the whole article next time.

#7 Shadrack on 26 Aug 2008 - 22:12

To be clear, Bluetooth will most likely be supported as much as any other cell phone OS w/ Bluetooth support. Developers just won't have an API from Google as a foundation to build bluetooth applications on-top-of.

What does that mean?

Well, you probably won't see any games release that take advantage of multi-player over bluetooth. Likely not going to have support for any wireless headphones (read: not headsets, but headphones) that may require different data packet shaping. I dunno, I can see this as kind of a big deal. I hope they change their minds for 1.1 and that phones will be upgradeable.

#8 WarLuigi on 27 Aug 2008 - 01:00

I hope they include it in further releases. The main thing is that they are aware that if they put it in it will have some quirks, and that to me makes a good product in the long run.

I was hoping on more BT integration since i like controlling my laptop via bluetooth but hey you can't have it all at the first try.

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Google drops Bluetooth, GTalkService APIs from Android 1.0

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