Android Services

• perform background tasks without providing an UI
• can notify the user via the notification framework in Android

• perform a longer-running operation while not interacting with the user
• can be started and stopped
• doesn't have GUI
• run by activities
• implicit Service (binding service)
• explicit Service (start service)

Service Lifecycle

void onCreate()  
void onStart(Intent intent)  
void onDestroy()

Examples --but it is up to your imagination

• checking for updates to an RSS feed
• playing back music even if the controlling activity is no longer operating