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.
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.