Specifying the app's requirements

The AndroidManifest.xml file (the Android Manifest) is the place where an app announces information that the system, Google Play, and other apps might need to know. For example, Goldgesture requires a front-facing camera and permission to use it (a license to shoot, one might say). Goldgesture also expects to run in landscape mode regardless of the physical orientation of the phone, because OpenCV's camera preview always uses the camera's landscape dimensions. (OpenCV's Android documentation does not indicate whether this behavior is intended. Perhaps future versions will provide better support for portrait orientation.) To specify these requirements, edit AndroidManifest.xml to match the following sample:

Note

When you open AndroidManifest.xml in Eclipse, you might see a form titled Android Manifest. To edit the source code directly instead of using the form, click on the AndroidManifest.xml tab below the form.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
  package="com.nummist.goldgesture"
  android:versionCode="1"
  android:versionName="1.0" >

  <uses-sdk
    android:minSdkVersion="8"
  android:targetSdkVersion="19" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />

  <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera.front" />

  <application
    android:allowBackup="true"
    android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
    <activity
      android:name="com.nummist.goldgesture.CameraActivity"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:screenOrientation="landscape"
      android:theme="@android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen">
      <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
        <category android:name=
          "android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
      </intent-filter>
    </activity>
  </application>

</manifest>

Now, our app can use a camera and will remain in landscape mode. Also, if we publish it on Google Play, it will only be available to devices with a front-facing camera.