Sprint bolsters Android dev support, opens up Java APIs

With Sprint poised to launch its first Android-powered smartphone, the HTC Hero, the operator announced a series of additions to its Applications Developer website to give coders the tools necessary to create software for the Google-backed mobile operating system. According to Sprint, the enhanced website includes implementation information for its Android devices, resources outlining location-based services, messaging and additional services available via the Sprint Developer Sandbox, and related tools to create and test Android apps.

Sprint also will emphasize the Android platform at its forthcoming Sprint Open Developer Conference, which begins Oct. 26 in Santa Clara, Calif. Several sessions will spotlight Android development, including information from HTC and Google--in addition, HTC will sponsor the conference, and the first 400 developers to arrive at the HTC coding lab on Oct. 26 will receive a free Hero smartphone complete with a month of Sprint service. For more information on the event, click here.

In addition, Sprint turned to its SprintDeveloper Twitter account to announce a new software upgrade for its Instinct devices that promises to open up mobile Java APIs, including LBS, to developers. 

For more on Sprint's Android efforts:
- read this release

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