Introduction to PolyOS APIs

Depending on your needs, you can develop PolyOS applications with a variety of technologies. You can build native Android applications using standard Android tools and languages. Native applications generally have richer functionality because they can utilize all the rich media capabilities of the platform. As an alternative, you can also build rich web applications to run on the platform.

When possible, the extensions to the platform are built into existing Android APIs. For scenarios where this is not possible, Poly has created the PolyOS API, which exposes unique platform capabilities that you can leverage to provide the best user experience. For more information about the API, see the PolyOS Java API Overview.

Using the PolyOS API

The PolyOS API exposes the API between PolyOS and third-party applications. Use the PolyOS APIs to control specific hardware settings and to control the system. If a PolyOS API has the same function as an Android API, choose the PolyOS API.

The API can be called from either a DeviceType.PRIMARY device or a DeviceType.CONTROLLER device. However, the API targets the DeviceType.PRIMARY device, unless specifically noted in that API.