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Must Watch: Retro 16-Bit Inspired Android Cartoons From Google IO Session [Video]

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Yesterday, I came across an interesting Google I/O session from the GoogleDevelopers’ YouTube channel. You’re right, I haven’t even the slightest clue when it comes to Android development, but I do find it weirdly peaceful to listen to sessions while I work. One of the more interesting ones I came across was the “Making Good Apps Great: More Advanced Topics for Expert Android Developers.” While eaves dropping on the video, I noticed a few familiar “bleeps and bloops” from my childhood and almost lost my sh*t at what I stumbled onto.

While introducing the 3 main techniques developers can use to build better Android apps — Invisibility, Efficiency and Reliability — each topic was introduced with a quick, 16-bit-esque Android cartoon, that was equal parts nostalgic and “epic win.” The kids still say that, right? Either way, I just wanted to share with you the old-school bitmapped cartoons that warmed my heart. Hopefully they’ll bring a smile to your face like they did mine. (Protip: pause and take a screen shot for a totally awesome/retro wallpaper for your desktop). Enjoy!

Oh, and for our developer friends out there who might have missed the session, you can watch the entire presentation here. For more on Android app development, check out Reto Meier’s blog here. The guy responsible for the amazing animations posted a blog entry along with a ton of background info, going into depth on all the easter eggs found in the clips. [IGN Pandamusk]

Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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12 Comments

  1. Gahhh, so…. much…. nostalgia! Thanks CC.

  2. Yeah.. this was good. Saw it live at IO and Reto’s audience like always loved it. Last years was good too… maybe Chris will Google it and link it as well but I am way to lazy to Google… only enough energy to tell Chris to.

    1. Thanks Steve! Last year’s session is here :)
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twmuBbC_oB8

  3. Glad you enjoyed the animations!

    They were created by a friend of mine, who has shared them without the distracting Android programming details here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GaEaEMXNZA

    He also shared some of the references and inspiration for the cartoons here: http://www.ign.com/blogs/pandamusk/2012/06/30/android-animations-google-io-2012

    1. You are a gentleman, and a scholar, Mr. Meier. Thank you :D

  4. Nice

  5. Metal Gear solid…. #Awesome…

  6. The sounds of my childhood, rocking the Atari 2600.

  7. That was awesome lol

  8. Very cute and Very nostalgic! LOVE it!!

  9. is it me or did they hint at the next version of android will be a cookie or chocolate chip cookie?

    1. Nah, the graphic was done by an artist not employed by Google.

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