Fixed fragment @layout parameter in activity_main.xml so that static layout appears in preview mode
Update module build.gradle file with newest support library (19.0.1) dependency
update build.gradle buildToolsVersion to 19.0.1 (was 19.0.0)
Updated build.gradle to use gradle plugin v0.8 (fingers crossed), minor adjustment to activity_main.xml and fragment_status_area.xml for layout weights (make the status area a bit bigger)
Orientation is no longer locked; it is possible to change orientation during the pre-start delay or during the test itself (there may be a delay as the activity recreates itself). The trick was using the Fragment.setRetainInstance() method and the TextView android:freezeText property. TextViews do not serialize their text to the bundle by default.