Alternative ways of developing for Android

Besides the Google SDK for Android, there are other unconventional ways to develop native applications for Android. I have listed a few alternative frameworks and cross-platform development tools.

• Phonegap - Allows you to develop cross-platform applications for iOS, Android, Palm, Blackberry and Symbian OS. Phonegap has plans to bring MeeGo and bada support too.
• Titanium Appcelerator - Appcelerator allows you to use web technologies to develop applications for Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows and Mac.
• Rhomobile - Cross-platform development tool based on Rhodes. Allows you to use MVC for mobile applications. Supported platform includes Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Blackberry and Symbian.
• Google App Inventor - App Inventor is a GUI based web application that involves no coding, users can drag and drop controls and logic to create Android applications for personal use.
• Anscamobile's Corona SDK - A cross-platform game development tools. You should use Lua for developing games for Android and iPhone.
• MonoDroid - Mono for Android enables developers to use Microsoft Visual Studio to create C# and .NET based applications that run on Android phones and tablets.
• Sencha Touch - Use web technologies to develop applications for Android, iPhone and Blackberry.

Most of the above listed frameworks empowers web developers to use their existing skills to develop application for mobile platforms. However a few of the cross-platform tools are not very mature for one or more of the supported platforms and there is no guarantee that you will be able to develop for the most recent mobile platform releases. Despite the cons, these tools provide opportunity for developers to step confidently into the mobile jungle with existing equipments. You as a developer must ensure to check the pros and cons of any tool before proceeding. 

If you are aware of any such cross-platform tools you are welcome to join the conversation. Leave your comments and let us know.