How do I get started with developing for Android without an Android phone?

Question

More or less as it says on the tin.

Before I even contemplate downloading the SDK, I was wondering if there was any way of testing Android apps that I'd write without an Android phone available to me? I'm unsure as to whether or not the tools that come with the SDK come with an emulator like VS does for Windows Mobile.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but maybe I'm searching for the wrong thing.

Edit I don't suppose there's anything that'll let me write widgets on/for an emulated version of the interface HTC use on the Hero/G2 either is there? Not that it would matter that much.

Answer 1

There's an emulator available as part of the SDK.

http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/emulator.html

Answer 2

I'd add that the emulator is really quite comprehensive. Things like camera previews don't actually display camera data, but they put block animations in their place. All in all it's one of the best mobile emulators I've seen to date. Probably better even than gasp the iPhone simulator.

Answer 3

As said above there's an emulator available,however with larger apps it gets fairly tedious to use the emulator.Its fine for learning the ins and outs but id suggest investing in an android phone once you've got a good grasp of the sdk,it really does make a difference!.