Developing ANT in Android

The Android ANT SDK and Android ANT+ SDK make it simple for developers to connect ANT and ANT+ devices to Android.

Universal Mobile Connectivity:

Adding ANT or ANT+ communication to Android app development allows apps to monitor and control 'the real world'. Android ANT and ANT+ SDK features include:

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Allows apps to extend across all smartphone vendors without fragmentation across Android versions
Android smartphones can network with sensors, displays, PC’s, bike computers, watches, tablets and other phones simultaneously
All apps can work seamlessly with manufacturer-enabled ANT+ handsets (60 million currently) as well as with Android devices utilizing the USB Host feature (via an ANT USB)
Services, plugins, apps and sample apps are available from the Google Play store

Android ANT SDK

READY TO GET STARTED?

Instructions & Download

Android ANT API documentation

ANT logo The Android ANT SDK enables developers to connect Android apps to ANT devices. It is provided to allow you to connect to proprietary devices and build complex topologies utilising advance ANT features such as background scanning and phone-phone applications.

Note that if you are developing apps to connect to ANT+ devices, it is strongly recommended that you use the Android ANT+ SDK.

Android ANT+ SDK

READY TO GET STARTED?

Instructions & Download

Android ANT+ API documentation

ANT+ logo Building an Android app to take advantage of your ANT+ sensors makes it easy for consumers to use and share their data. The Android ANT+ SDK (notice the ’+’!) enables developers to connect Android apps to ANT+ devices and take advantage of the interoperable sports, fitness and wellness data available from more than 60 million ANT+ devices owned by consumers today. The Android ANT+ SDK includes the ANT+ plugins which remove the need for developers to understand the ANT protocol (i.e. the ANT+ Network Key and ANT+ channel parameters are built into the ANT+ plugins).

Implemented Profiles:

The ANT+ Android SDK is designed to allow the ANT+ API to grow dynamically. ANT+ plugins will be continually added to support all current and future ANT+ device profiles.

The Android ANT+ SDK version P.B2 includes plugins for these ANT+ device profiles:

Note that ANT+ Members can also download the member early release Android ANT+ SDK version P.B2. MO1, which also contains support for FE-C.

If you need to use the ANT+ network for an application not yet covered by the ANT+ plugins please contact us.

ANT+ Certification:

Certify your app for authorization to brand and market it as ANT+ compatible. Type 1 certification should be used for new apps, and type 2 for variations on apps that have previously been certified. Software certification is quick and inexpensive, verifies ANT+ compliance, and provides a listing on the ANT+ Product Directory; – a great tool to promote your app to consumers, brands and other partners.

ANT+ Plugins enable concurrent Multi Sensors, Multi Apps:

The Android ANT+ SDK is designed so that apps can use data from any device at the same time. Data can be real time or stored, sent or received.

Use Case Examples:

1. Someone using an ANT+ continuous glucose monitor can utilize their device 24/7 and will not have to exit or stop their app in order to add for example a Heart Rate monitor while heading out for a run. That same person could also be monitoring their heart rate and pace on separate applications simultaneously. All of these data sets can be tracked independently - to monitor progress or share with workout buddies.

2. Someone tracking their run data on a fitness app, can also listen to music on a separate app using the ANT+ Controls Device Profile. The app can send data such as the track title and elapsed time to an ANT+ watch with ANT+ Controls capability which can also be used to send back volume control and next track commands.

Intro Video

This is the video that was created when the ANT+ plugins were first launched, and it still gives a good overview of the Android ANT and ANT+ SDKs.