[curtis17]

Imo Android needs a Swift because: 1. Java is too verbose/tedious. Developers are looking for something richer/more expressive. 2. Oracle. Java is non-open.

Ultimately, the language that will become the Swift on Android is the language that makes it a core goal. This alt-Java could even be blessed by Google. Google could eventually cut Java out of the picture: Swift4Java -> Dalvik/ART.

Xtend, Kotlin and Scala are possibilities.

Kotlin has the Jetbrains Android Studio relationship going for it. Also compiles down to JS so could target Chrome/ChromeOS as well. Not as heavy as Scala - less of a learning curve. Xtend is good, and compiling to Java source could be an advantage. But Google do seem to be leaning towards Jetbrains rather than Eclipse.