Minimal working example ... without NPE

build.gradle

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    compileSdkVersion 22
    buildToolsVersion "22.0.1"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "pl.selvin.android.actionbar14"
        minSdkVersion 14
        targetSdkVersion 22
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
}

src\main\AndroidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
          package="pl.selvin.android.actionbar14" >

    <application
        android:label="ActionBar14"
        android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Holo.Light">
        <activity
            android:name="pl.selvin.android.actionbar14.MainActivity"
            android:label="ActionBar14" >
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
    </application>

</manifest>

src\main\java\pl\selvin\android\actionbar14\MainActivity.java

package pl.selvin.android.actionbar14;

import android.app.ActionBar;
import android.app.Activity;
import android.os.Bundle;


public class MainActivity extends Activity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        getActionBar().setIcon(android.R.drawable.ic_dialog_email);
        getActionBar().setDisplayHomeAsUpEnabled(true);
        getActionBar().setNavigationMode(ActionBar.NAVIGATION_MODE_LIST);
    }
}