Well I am up and running pretty quick with the basics..

– Install the JDK (Java Development Kit) 7.45
– install the google ADT (Android Development Tools) bundle (Eclipse and ADT)
– In Eclipse, I added some plugins (ie. the Google App Engine SDK, Google Plugin for Eclipse 4.2…) just cause I forsee my app will be using those
– In the SDK manager, I added the Google API, and a few other things (so I could use the Google API as a target for my AVD (Android Virtual Device) when running the emulator..and it also adds some other things like the Wizard for setting up a Google App Engine Android project..
– I registered the google api account project, and turned on the Google Cloud Messaging and Google Cloud Datastore API (again, just guessing my app will be using these)
– generated a server api key to use
-created a new Google App Engine android project in eclipse, using the above info
– started the local app engine web application
-set the android app to use the local version
– created an AVD for the google api target
– ran the android app (base one that the wizard creates)

I’m now able to use the web application to send messages to my android application…

Pretty basic really, but it’s the starting point.. now with the setup mostly out of the way (for now).. I can begin coding. (scary.. we’ll see how long before I seriously consider throwing in the towel 😉 )

All the above was done on my new Windows 8 laptop.. Having fun learning the windows 8 tweaks as well (not). (pleasantly surprised that after they say delivery in 4 weeks, it arrives 2 days later 😉 )
p.s: I’m skipping over many headaches already
-had a few issues with downloading above pieces due to proxies.
– first tried the Android Studio IDE rather then the ADT bundle.. but it failed on a girdle error my first little app I tried.. Looking back it’s likely due to the proxy thing… but sticking with eclise (the bundle) now anyway.
– took a bit to figure out the bit about setting the app to use the local version of the app engine
– took a bit of tweaking the AVD settings to get it to actually run
etc etc

If my current plans pan out, there may be a few more techie posts coming soon.. My current contract at the client is ending (due to their budget / project paperwork).. And there may be a gap before the next one starts up (i have a couple opptys I’m following up on, and the current client really wants me back once they do have their stuff rolling again… so not too worried).. So, I’m hoping to catch up on a couple things I’ve wanted to do:
1. finish my little application for stock trading
2. create a mobile app and publish it

I’ve just ordered a laptop (i’ve always just had PCs and work laptops) to do my coding on.. scary I’ll be coding.. but it’s worth catching up with some of the technologies out there.

Kinda anxious to start up now!