Presentation given at the Big Android BBQ 2012 by Jerdog and NotATreoFan of XDA-Developers. This session was a focused on the history of XDA and where it began, where it is today, the pitfalls and struggles, and the vision of the future for Android and the community at-large. They also discussed what XDA would love to see from the Manufacturers in their response to, and support of, the developer community. Sony Mobile and Samsung Developers sent representatives to discuss their roles in this endeavor as well.

1. XDA: Past, Present,
Future
Jeremy Meiss & Todd Glackin

2. Summary
Beginnings
Growing Pains
Present
Future
Developer/Manufacturer Relationships
Q&A

3. Humble Beginnings
Located in Amsterdam
Original Founders
Peter Poelman
itsme

5. Changes
XDA has undergone many a facelift since 2003

6. 2003
3016 users

7. 2004
5668 users

8. 2006
129,150
users

9. 2011
3.5 million
users

10. Today
4.6+
million users

12. Changes
XDA has undergone many a facelift since 2003
XDA was sold to JB Online Media in early 2009
after founders realized they couldn’t continue to
devote needed attention
JB Online Media commits to growing XDA and
developer focus

13. Growing Pains
“Attack of the Trolls”
Growth in self-entitled users,
demanding users who hounded
developers about ETAs, and
generally acted like little children

15. Growing Pains
“Attack of the Trolls”
Growth in self-entitled users,
demanding users who hounded
developers about ETAs, and
generally acted like little children
Growth in kanging the work of
others and then begging for
donations

16. Growing Pains
Rapid Expansion on Exterior, Slow to Respond
Internally
Moderator Committee Response

17. Rise of the FSM
•
Population Explosion == Trolls
•
Had 20 moderators in 2009, realized need for
more
•
Moderator Committee was formed
• Tasked with streamlining the selection and
assignment of “Forum-Specific Moderators”
• New FSM applications opened every 6
months
•
Now over a 100 FSMs and Senior Moderators

18. Present
4.6+ million Users
Iron Fist
Returning to Developer Roots
ERD/RD/RC/RT Programs
Creating Environments Where Devs Can
Learn and Collaborate
Quality Emphasis over Quantity

19. Original vs. Derivative
Stock ROM

20. Original vs. Derivative
Stock ROM
Original Android Development

21. Original vs. Derivative
Stock ROM
Original Android Development
Everyone Working Towards
Perfection

22. Original vs. Derivative
Stock ROM

23. Original vs. Derivative
Stock ROM

24. Present
4.6+ million Users
Returning to Developer Roots
ERD/RD/RC/RT Programs
Creating Environments Where Devs Can
Learn and Collaborate
Better Quality Emphasis Over Quantity
GPLv2 Compliance

25. Future
Site Upgrades
New Features
Theme
New Widgets
New Feature for Developers…..

27. forums work well, but…
• not the ideal content management
system for software
• development work is not easily
searchable or sortable
• different users want different
things
• reviews
• bug reports
• update notifications
• feature requests

28. • a searchable, sortable database for
ROMs, Apps, Tools, Utilities, Kernels, etc
• RDs can add new projects from special
console
• xda is a forum first!
• each project spawns a forum thread
• use XDA as usual if you want
• integrated reviews, bug tracking
• “follow a project” for email/PM updates
• development work displayed in central
hub on device category pages
• launching early 2013 with surprise

29. project input form

30. the project page [details]

31. the device hub

32. Early 2013
Closed beta soon

33. The Android development community is strong when people learn!
• a place to learn Android
development
• offering the xdauniversity book, a
free downloadable PDF, updated
quarterly
• links to helpful guides, tutorials,
videos
• anyone can contribute
• available via xda-university.com,

34. Developer/Manufacturer
Relationships
Collaboration Amongst Developers &
Manufacturers is Key
Open Source Emphasis
Sony with AOSP and DASH

35. Developer/Manufacturer
Relationships (cont.)
Needed Changes
Manufacturers open-source kernels on git-
like service
Carriers out of the loop, opening up the
update chain
Full GPLv2 compliance (working, buildable
kernel source)
Open Communication and Relationships with
Manufacturers

36. Samsung Developer
Relations
Hod Greeley
Director of Samsung Developers, US
Michael Ludden
Marketing Manager, Samsung Developers, US

37. Sony Developer
Relations
Kalle Dahlstrom
Head of Developer Relations

38. Q&A