Garbage collection, (now) JIT compilation, combined with Dalvik, plus lots of developers know the syntax. Not to mention you can use native code with the NDK.

Garbage collection, (now) JIT compilation, combined with Dalvik, plus lots of developers know the syntax. Not to mention you can use native code with the NDK. Java was a good choice in my opinion. I've done enough development for Android to love it, hate it, then love it all over again.