Google showed off its nearly completed mobile software system to about 3,000 computer programmers Wednesday, hoping to cultivate more services and advertising for people on the go.

Although brief, the demonstration at the Internet search leader’s annual developer conference in San Francisco represented the most extensive public look so far at “Android” — an open-source platform being designed for “smart” phones and other mobile devices that surf the Web. Android was first announced nearly seven months ago.

The bells and whistles unveiled Wednesday included: a way to unlock phones by drawing a specific shape on the touchscreen instead of entering a password; bookmarks for favorite websites on the device’s home page; a “compass” tool that automatically roams with the phone while a user looks at photographic images of a city map; a magnifying tool to zoom in on Web content; and a mobile version of the video game “Pac Man.”

The demonstration relied on touchscreen technology similar to Apple’s iPhone, but Android can also be tailored to work with a tracking ball, said Andy Rubin, who is overseeing the project.

Several handset makers, including Samsung Electronics., HTC and LG Electronics, are among the 34 partners that Google has recruited to help launch Android.

Google also hopes programmers will create a wide variety of products that will run on Android. That’s one of the reasons the Mountain View-based company chose to flaunt the free software at the developers’ conference.

By making it easier and more appealing for people to access the Internet on their cellphones, Google believes it eventually will make more money from the ads it shows next to search results and other Web content. The company also is starting to show more video advertising on its YouTube subsidiary, which already is a staple on the iPhone and received a special button in Wednesday’s demonstration of Android.

Google is expected to generate more than $20 billion in advertising revenue this year, but most of that money will come from ads viewed on personal computers.

With about 3 billion mobile phones already on the market, some analysts believe Google could pull in nearly $5 billion annually from the mobile market within five years.

Trumbull Art Gallery, 198 E. Market St., is having a Treasures for TAG sale from noon to 4 p.m. today through Saturday.The event is a sale of collectible items donated by the generous members and patrons of TAG. Items for sale will include artwork, jewelry, pottery, books, vintage pieces and more. All proceeds will go to support the many charitable activities of TAG.

Pittsburgh officials took steps today to enhance security at Mellon Arena in advance of tomorrow’s fourth game of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Public Works Department crews, working under a plan put together by the Police Bureau, placed 17 Jersey barriers around the arena. Police prepared to deploy in larger numbers than they did for Wednesday’s game.

He said the barriers aren’t meant solely to protect against a vehicle driven by someone intent on destruction, but could shield people watching the game on a large screen TV that has been placed outside of the arena by the Penguins, who face the Detroit Red Wings. “God forbid a car would go out of control with 3,000 or 4,000 people right by the road,” he said.

He said the barriers are viewed as temporary, though arena management has been invited to suggest longer-term security improvements.

Great pizza on the grill requires some serious speed.And while that makes grilled pizza an excellent weeknight dinner candidate in summer, it also means you need to pay more attention to prep than you normally might.

GRILLED WHITE PIZZA WITH GREENS
1 ball prepared pizza dough, room temperature
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for grilling and serving
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 large leek, trimmed and cut into thin rounds
6 cups chopped greens (such as kale, chard, spinach, etc.)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded Gouda cheese1. On a lightly floured counter, use your hands to flatten the dough. Cut the dough in two, then use a rolling pin to roll each half into a 10-inch round or oval. Place a moist, but not wet, towel over the dough and set aside.2. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat the oil. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and leek. Sauté until the leek is tender and just starting to brown.

3. Add the greens and sauté until just wilted, about 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the greens mixture to a bowl and set aside.4. Preheat a grill on medium-high. Assemble all ingredients near the grill.

8. Close the grill cover and cook another 3 minutes, or until the bottoms are cooked and the cheese has melted. If the dough cooks too quickly, turn off one side of the grill and move the pizzas to that side.9. Before serving, drizzle each pizza with olive oil.

Grady Sizemore homered twice and made a game-saving catch for the final out, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 5-4 victory over Kansas City on Friday night and handing the Royals their 12th straight loss. According to the www.vindy.com