Design And Implementation Of Widgets On Android Devices

With the widely usage of 3G and 4G communication technology and the mass manufacture of many kinds of cell phone manufacturers in last five years, smart phones are widespread. Leading in the market share, android operating system is used intensively in smart phones and tablet android with the advantage over open platform, good hardware compatibility the convenient of development and Google play, which has millions of apps. Android operating system has been used in billions of mobile devices. In the time of android system being used widely, android widget which is small in homepage, convenient and easy to use is quite popular. There are some popular android widget, such as search widget, calendar, music and weather. Android widget is based on broadcast which is one of the six main components in android and appwidget framework. It can not only show important content in homepage, but also update information immediately. For example, the note which can record Upcoming Events and weather widget which can show the weather timely. As a consequence, android widget which is frequently used as its convenience is an essential part of android system. By studying and applying the framework of android, UML, android components, SQLite database, data storing and acquiring and the methods to develop android widget, this thesis design and implement four android widget, such as search, note, calendar and weather. The author’s major contributions are outlined as follows:1.Designing and implementing calendar widget. The calendar with the function of schedule management is the main widget in the four widget. Firstly, it can organize the schedule and mark the important schedule. Secondly,it can set task to identify different activities, which is convenient. In addition, it can also enter the date to schedule the alarm.2.Designing and implementing search widget. Search widget is based on scratchable latex keyboard, which can support querying method based on first spell alphabet of Chinese characters and full spell alphabet of Chinese characters. It can search contacts, music and applications. Comparing to the system search, it is more convenient for Chinese.3.Designing and implementing note widget. The method of development is agile development, which is based on iteration. Firstly, implementing the android appwidget framework. Secondly, implementing the layout of widget. Thirdly, using activity to add new widget in homepage. Finally, implementing the parameter configuration file.4.Designing and implementing weather widget. The basic functions of weather include displaying the weather and humidity of the chosen city. By sending XML files to weather website with the android web interface and API which is provided by Google, displaying the weather situation in the homepage in time.