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hi everyone,
i mean, there are a few interesting themes out there, including iphone clones, wm7 leak concepts, etc... but: the only design i am really in love with is the design a_c uses in his apps. i simply love the greyish and minimalistic design of S2P and the options menu design of S2U. i love the small taskbar and i think though it is so small it seems very powerful to me as of functionality. i beg you, a_c, please hear my wish of an app that works like the ones you already made (an app that overlays the today-screen) that is so smooth, fast and simply amazing! i offer my help in developing the gfx needed for this project.
replies appreciated
hmm...if you have ever had a look at an iPhone you would know that all the A_C's work is based on iPhone's programs. S2P and S2U2 atleast, S2V not that much but still. So if A_C would make a theme I bet it would look a lot like iPhone themes we have seen already (iFonz etc)
well ok i know that, but:
i hate the iphones "desktop"...i hate those glassy icons which look like crap (to me).well i would think in the minimalistic way...like a bar at the top with a few tabs which drop down when u open them (like messaging-->new sms, new email, etc and multimedia-->audio, video, player etc)
i hate overloaded today screens and thats why i thought it would be so extremely cool if there was an application like that.
Have you had a look at PointUI? I think it could be something worth trying if you're looking for a minimalistic and nice looking UI to replace the today screen. www.pointui.com is the address. Have a look.
I know exactly what you mean! I've used alot themes and things like ultimate launch, WAD themes and spb mobile shell. But when i first opened the menu in customisation menu in S2U2 I always think "WOW"!! It has a sort of mac feel to it.
But I also dont like the crappy icons for the iphone themes either! I think a theme similar A_C's menus would be amazing!
Same here the S2U2 settings are very nice! I to would like to see an app request like this! All who are into this leave a feedback. Don't know what we're talking about? go get S2U2, from A_C. I feel this would be a cool addition to the whole iphone theme!
Hey this is my first post here. I've been using a nexus one for a while now and I downloaded quite a few applications. I have to say thought that I was quite disappointed by the graphical diversity that lingers around the android platform. As a vfx artist I like my phone to work but also to look nice and sometimes the two things are not present in android.
So I was wondering if someone is interested in writing down some guidelines to better UI designs and maybe provide developers with some graphical help. My idea was not to copy the iphone ui or the new windows mobile 7 but to take what Google has done and expand it to provide cleaner and more interesting UIs to apps.
What do you guys think, is anyone on board for this?
Sadly, I think that this is probably the largest problem on Android devices. The huge inconsistency of the UI throughout makes Android devices hard to use when compared to, say, an iPhone. For example, the stock GMail app has a white background against black text, but the stock Email app has a black against white background. Both apps have essentially the same functions but the way to perform those functions and manage their settings are completely different.
androidlicious said:
Sadly, I think that this is probably the largest problem on Android devices. The huge inconsistency of the UI throughout makes Android devices hard to use when compared to, say, an iPhone. For example, the stock GMail app has a white background against black text, but the stock Email app has a black against white background. Both apps have essentially the same functions but the way to perform those functions and manage their settings are completely different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they look the same, or did you twist your words?
atoz350 said:
So they look the same, or did you twist your words?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I was trying to come up with a good example but I guess that it didn't come across as such. I guess another example is the camera application. I mean, its UI and design looks completely different from all the other applications...
I don't mind applications to have totally different designs as long as they are intuitive and make sense in the context of the application and I think a lot of them don't.
It's true though that some more general guidelines like the one they have for the iphone would help some developers to not only keep consistency but also keep the design relevant to the tasks provided by the app.
What do you guys prefer? I think android strenght could be a custom design for each app as long as it's intuitive, a perfectly good example is the gallery application introduced in 2.1
Here are some ideas:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/470566/android-user-interface-guidelines
There is a link there to a good pdf (the link in the question over stackoverflow is dead): https://island.byu.edu/files/AndroidHIG.pdf
Though, it isn't complete but it could be a good base.
janfsd said:
Here are some ideas:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/470566/android-user-interface-guidelines
There is a link there to a good pdf (the link in the question over stackoverflow is dead): https://island.byu.edu/files/AndroidHIG.pdf
Though, it isn't complete but it could be a good base.
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This is great especially the pdf and the gnome guidelines!
Don't forget the Android UI Guidelines.
http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/index.html
Let me start by saying I really like android and think it is the best mobile OS around. That doesn't mean it cannot improve. Since getting my N1 I've found some features are unbelievably missing:
No folders for browser bookmarks. Seriously? I have almost 500 bookmarks, it's impossible to scroll though all that.
No bookmarks syncing.
No google docs app. And I though google really wanted us in the cloud.
Music player cannot sort by genre. How do they expect to rival ipods? Also, gestures control would be nice.
Calendar in Month view doesn't show all day events. If an event lasts all day it sure must be important, I want to see it! In fact, i think the calendar needs a major overhaul.
Awful task (to do list) management. Why can't I set repeating tasks? How embarrassing is it that windows mobile could do it over 5 years ago and android still cant?
Too few built-in widgets. Third party developers somewhat make up for it, but in the end I have a bunch of widget with very different aesthetics, makes android seem not very polished. No wow factor. That's why HTC, Samsung, etc, feel they have to create their own shells which slow down updates. No one wins.
Market needs some sort of moderation. We all hate Apple's closed model and it is definitely not what I want, but there are way too many spammers in the market, making it hard to find what you are actually looking for, that's why there are market alternatives cropping up. Either block spammers or let me forever hide some publishers. Also, the market application as a whole needs improvement, it is slow and the search is really bad (Yes, I said it! Google somehow screwed up on a search feature!)
Some of these problems are in one way or another solved by 3rd party app developers, but it is never as seamless as if it was part of the OS. Please post your opinion and you own personal gripes. This could help give good ideas to app developers, or even better, maybe Eric or Sergey stumble upon this thread and decide to solve all of our problems!
Numbers would help
The workarounds:
MusicMod takes care of music.
Astrid for tasks.
Dolphin HD for bookmarks etc.
Generally - I agree, these are indeed some good points. Most are visual, application-related points, and somehow I have a feeling Gingerbread is going to concentrate on that, which might address those points.
I agree with the calendar specifically, it's pretty poor.
As far as widgets go, I wish there were built-in options for changing the color schemes of some widgets.
-Stock music player and all music player sucks...
-Market sucks no way to find good apps
-Nexus one multitouch
-Some choppyness
I'm using the music mod but it doesn't do enough. I'm used to cowon's good music players so android in my eyes is really lacking.
It has bookmark syncing to a degree. Mine always reappear after a wipe.
In month view, the calendar does show all day events, just not very well. If you have a bold date with no coloured time block, its an all dayer.
I agree with most points here. I'm having issues with my phone freezing more often and having to do a battery pull for it to respond to me pressing the power button.
1. Copy and paste in email
2. Downloading ALL attachments/internet downloads
3. Sending ALL attachments
4. To-do list sync with exchange
5. Google Docs? (Hello? A smartphone that doesn't have any doc, excel, ppt view/editor?)
oh and:
0. Fix reception issues on the N1
Froyo brings copy and paste to email
Rellikzephyr
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
QUICK! Bury this thread so the ifans cant use these things against us!!!
Blueman101 said:
QUICK! Bury this thread so the ifans cant use these things against us!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
worse thread ever.
This probably represents the most reasonable set of criticisms I have seen to date.
- 500 bookmarks is excessive to me but I think even users with far fewer bookmarks could use organization so valid complaint
- I want to say bookmark syncing was announced at Google I/O 2010 but I am not certain.
- Repeating tasks is missing from google tasks. Until it gets added there it won't be available on android. (Pocket Informant is coming for Android though, I really liked his stuff on WM so maybe they will work some magic.)
- IRT too few built in widgets. HTC, Motorola, and others would do their own thing regardless of what Google provides. It is part of their branding and value add for the platform do distinguish themselves from the competition.
- Agreed on getting the market some moderation, the question is how and how much. My vote is for letting me blacklist developers from my account. I think that would be sufficient to clear out a lot of the chaff.
Blueman101 said:
QUICK! Bury this thread so the ifans cant use these things against us!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, it needs to at least be cloked!
Gdocs is free and it works very well for viewing and editing google documents. Or do you mean it should have a native app? I think all smart phones should have native office suites, its almost offensive that they don't. And there aren't many third party options although I do like docs 2 go fairly well and its supposed to have a major update coming...sorry I veered a bit there
stock music app SUCKS. seriously, i can't view all songs??
contact management is really difficult. can't edit/manage contact groups. can't even set a default group...
My bookmarks sync back when I wipe my phone. They always have I believe, or it could be a froyo addition.
I'd love for Google to fix up and optimize some code of the UI elements that are choppy. Most are smooth as butter, but a few certain things are choppy.
And don't we get word and excel viewer out of the box? Those files work on my phone, just not listed in the app drawer.
blablum said:
Let me start by saying I really like android and think it is the best mobile OS around. That doesn't mean it cannot improve. Since getting my N1 I've found some features are unbelievably missing:
No folders for browser bookmarks. Seriously? I have almost 500 bookmarks, it's impossible to scroll though all that.
No bookmarks syncing.
No google docs app. And I though google really wanted us in the cloud.
Music player cannot sort by genre. How do they expect to rival ipods? Also, gestures control would be nice.
Calendar in Month view doesn't show all day events. If an event lasts all day it sure must be important, I want to see it! In fact, i think the calendar needs a major overhaul.
Awful task (to do list) management. Why can't I set repeating tasks? How embarrassing is it that windows mobile could do it over 5 years ago and android still cant?
Too few built-in widgets. Third party developers somewhat make up for it, but in the end I have a bunch of widget with very different aesthetics, makes android seem not very polished. No wow factor. That's why HTC, Samsung, etc, feel they have to create their own shells which slow down updates. No one wins.
Market needs some sort of moderation. We all hate Apple's closed model and it is definitely not what I want, but there are way too many spammers in the market, making it hard to find what you are actually looking for, that's why there are market alternatives cropping up. Either block spammers or let me forever hide some publishers. Also, the market application as a whole needs improvement, it is slow and the search is really bad (Yes, I said it! Google somehow screwed up on a search feature!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything you've listed there are app issues, and have nothing to do with Android OS itself.
Pro tip: Vanilla android is garbage.
It's a starting point for other companies to build on.
Pointing out the problems of android wont make it better anytime soon. How about we have a thread with all the good things about it. I am sure it would far out rival the problems
hansmrtn said:
Pointing out the problems of android wont make it better anytime soon. How about we have a thread with all the good things about it. I am sure it would far out rival the problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree. A circle-jerk won't accomplish anything. If you need an example just look at Apple forums that are full of rabid iZombies praising everything Steve. Pointing out actual defects, flaws and shortcomings in form of constructive criticism on the other hand, will help the open source community plug the holes left open by Google.
What do you guys think will be some features of Ginger bread ?
Take 3 guesses...be specific not something like "UI tweak" and lets avoid the known ones (tv like shutdown,web2phone app install,market enhancement).
btw not a wish list..but things you actually think may happen.
1. Google Talk. Along with video calling I think theyll be making this a more prominent app and possibly allowing MMS style media sharing or integration with other com services (yahoo/skype).Perhaps using it as a portal to there GoogleMe service coming soon.
2. Browser. I think copy/paste will be refined skipping the menu buttons and having it initiated by long presses.
3. Browser. I also think theyll be 3Ding it up a bit. Giving tabs very Gallery like look.
i think there will be a very large focus on auto synchronization of music, videos, and images through the cloud (as hinted, goes along with the redesigned media player).
also im pretty sure they will add a competing "find my phone" feature since apple has gone ahead and integrated that into iOS 4.2.
bascially i think the new market web site will let your control every aspect of your phone from the web: images, music, contacts, wipe, applications, and phone finder.
also the browser will probably have a nicer tabbed browsing experience(managing multiple tabs right now sucks).
EErez said:
i think there will be a very large focus on auto synchronization of music, videos, and images through the cloud (as hinted, goes along with the redesigned media player).
also im pretty sure they will add a competing "find my phone" feature since apple has gone ahead and integrated that into iOS 4.2.
bascially i think the new market web site will let your control every aspect of your phone from the web: images, music, contacts, wipe, applications, and phone finder.
also the browser will probably have a nicer tabbed browsing experience(managing multiple tabs right now sucks).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats two for tabs.
That actually would be fantastic. Does that integrate current functions or do you think it will be new methods.
((i.e for pictures will it just incorporate my current Picasa or will it be a seperate image section))
1. I believe that a lot of the core apps (phone, music, message, browser) will have a very 3D gallery like look. Most of the UI revamp rumors probably stem from this.
2. Most of the UI revamp will come from core app redesigns but as we've seen already, Android 2.3 now has a darker look. Expect a Google TV, Voice Command/Actions, Youtube App-like look. Lots of black/grey with bright, light-ish highlights. Also add in a lot of new transition and visual cue effects (Orientation flipping, end of lists, that CRT screen off effect, etc.).
3. Better multi-tasking / app switching, maybe WebOS good but differnet.
I'm sure Andy Rubin said something about Gingerbread having a focus on social communication and gaming. So expect there to be much better social integration in Gingerbread.
Didn't Schmidt say that Google Me won't be a standalone product but more of a social layer on existing Google products.
Award Tour said:
1. I believe that a lot of the core apps (phone, music, message, browser) will have a very 3D gallery like look. Most of the UI revamp rumors probably stem from this.
2. Most of the UI revamp will come from core app redesigns but as we've seen already, Android 2.3 now has a darker look. Expect a Google TV, Voice Command/Actions, Youtube App-like look. Lots of black/grey with bright, light-ish highlights. Also add in a lot of new transition and visual cue effects (Orientation flipping, end of lists, that CRT screen off effect, etc.).
3. Better multi-tasking / app switching, maybe WebOS good but differnet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldnt be surprised at #2. But 1/3 really seem like Honeycomb options to me. I dont think there was enough time IMO. That 3 second clip of 2.3 left me thinking there really wouldnt be anything truly new or cool until 3.0.
btw what do you mean "end of lists" ?
Sarg92 said:
I'm sure Andy Rubin said something about Gingerbread having a focus on social communication and gaming. So expect there to be much better social integration in Gingerbread.
Didn't Schmidt say that Google Me won't be a standalone product but more of a social layer on existing Google products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rarely ever play mobile games so maybe it already exists. But does any Game dev, or Apple have an XBLive aspect to it ?
As in you can log in see your "Friends" and see there scores,games played , message each other etc ??
I thought that would be a great thing for Google to add that would integrate with the other things but perhaps its been done.
xManMythLegend said:
I wouldnt be surprised at #2. But 1/3 really seem like Honeycomb options to me. I dont think there was enough time IMO. That 3 second clip of 2.3 left me thinking there really wouldnt be anything truly new or cool until 3.0.
btw what do you mean "end of lists" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't be so surprised at #1. Remember the IO developer conference? They already had a new 3D gallery like music app up and running on 2.2. You don't think they could have finished a couple of more between now and then? And that's if they hadn't already been partially done back then. I'm almost certain that #1 is a done deal for 2.3.
By end of list, I mean the bounce effect that other OS's like iOS have when you reach the end of a list. I just envision 2.3 having more superficial OS wide effects.
I thing there will be:
1. app to remove scraches
2. Hack iphone users
3. Nexus one front facing camera hack.
Award Tour said:
I wouldn't be so surprised at #1. Remember the IO developer conference? They already had a new 3D gallery like music app up and running on 2.2. You don't think they could have finished a couple of more between now and then? And that's if they hadn't already been partially done back then. I'm almost certain that #1 is a done deal for 2.3.
By end of list, I mean the bounce effect that other OS's like iOS have when you reach the end of a list. I just envision 2.3 having more superficial OS wide effects.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cant recall...I just remember it being red. But if they were that far along then you may be right.
The Palm guy coming over and the purchase of that 3d desktop company came well after no ? Thats my reasoning for thinking not enough time.
Gotcha about the bounce effect.
xManMythLegend said:
That actually would be fantastic. Does that integrate current functions or do you think it will be new methods.
((i.e for pictures will it just incorporate my current Picasa or will it be a seperate image section))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would imagine it would be more of a one way sync of photos from the gallery to the desktop (doesn't picasa autosync already?), while music and video wold mostly go to the phone, maybe from a designated folder (drop box style) or some online interface (letting you access your things from a backed up storage of your phone from google's servers) pretty much doig iTunes job without the ****ty program or cables.
either way i got the feeling that they really wanted to create a simple way to connect your computer and phone through their cloud.
EErez said:
i would imagine it would be more of a one way sync of photos from the gallery to the desktop (doesn't picasa autosync already?), while music and video wold mostly go to the phone, maybe from a designated folder (drop box style) or some online interface (letting you access your things from a backed up storage of your phone from google's servers) pretty much doig iTunes job without the ****ty program or cables.
either way i got the feeling that they really wanted to create a simple way to connect your computer and phone through their cloud.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Yeah Picasa does for web albums you still have to upload your pics.
Clicking sync via web for all of it would be cool.
"gauravh1: One announcement... Get ready for next google experience phone... Gingerbread development is almost finished for market release. Excited!"
--http://twitter.com/gauravh1/status/4961718455242752
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
onesavior said:
"gauravh1: One announcement... Get ready for next google experience phone... Gingerbread development is almost finished for market release. Excited!"
--http://twitter.com/gauravh1/status/4961718455242752
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vagueness...always with the vagueness.
The developer of Dolphin Browser seems to have access to betas of Gingerbread, and he mentioned improvements to Navigation here.
I think gingerbread will have the ability to stop people creating duplicate threads of a single topic 100 times
charnsingh_online said:
I think gingerbread will have the ability to stop people creating duplicate threads of a single topic 100 times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFL
10char
charnsingh_online said:
I think gingerbread will have the ability to stop people creating duplicate threads of a single topic 100 times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Show me 99 other prediction threads ill buy you a. 99c app.
Is predicting different than discussing gingerbread
Needs native .GIF support. Ive read various threads about how to get .GIF files to work. Nothing works. Really surprised google doesnt implement this. If theres something i didnt find that gets it to work feel free to post a solution .
Native gif support is in CM, go try it
Hello all... I was trying to find if such topic has been presented before.
What is your expectations for Sense 5 as software and inhancements? For me, I wish they consider the following from my experience in HOX+:
- Gmail in mail application: I like to use Gmail in HTC mail app (imap) instead of Gmail official app. However, there is no star option for a message. Hope HTC is fixing this in Sense 5.
- Although I like HTC notes and HTC tasks apps, I wish they will allow to disable it if I want to use different apps. In HOX+ they prevented disabling them as they are connected to calendar and other messaging system. Also, the evernote merging in HTC note app isn't complete and it misses tags.
- I hope they can now provide an option to choose what info I can sync from Facebook (pics, contacts, ...)
- Movie Editor doesn't have a link in gallery app.
- Flickr merging (I like it of course) isn't complete and miss a lot of features. They either make it complete or allow us to disable it if I want to use different client.
- I like the way of Linkedin are being sync into contacts but it doesn't allow to open Linkedin contact link in the official app as it does in Facebook
- Stocks market by HTC & Yahoo doesn't support all market. So, another app is needed. I hope it's been fixed in Sense 5 or being able to be disabled too.
SenseTV, boomsound, Zoe that's about it. I don't care about anything else on sense 5.
i just dont like the icons of sense5,
该隐之怨 said:
i just dont like the icons of sense5,
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I agree they removed the 3Dness of the whole UI which for me is quite weird considering that they are boasting enhanced hardware. Yet they downgrade software. Although a large number of users tend to like it
Honestly as long as the messaging app looks crisp, I'm a happy camper! haha.
Riyal said:
I agree they removed the 3Dness of the whole UI which for me is quite weird considering that they are boasting enhanced hardware. Yet they downgrade software. Although a large number of users tend to like it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the 'flat' effect looks rather cool
kalo88 said:
I think the 'flat' effect looks rather cool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Much more classy
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2
Im loving what they did with the UI, it's a million time better but I still don't like the icons. I've never been a big fan of android Icons in general, I'm used to all my icons having the same shape like on iOS. I'm sure ill get used to it, since some icons look nice but there are quite a few that I think are just really bad. Definitely gonna be themeing to get rid of them.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Riyal said:
I agree they removed the 3Dness of the whole UI which for me is quite weird considering that they are boasting enhanced hardware. Yet they downgrade software. Although a large number of users tend to like it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all to do with reducing the lag on Sense, making everything flat will mean that everything will be a lot smoother and take less time to load so reduces lag. This is something that I really want as even on Jelly Bean Sense 4+ still lags and stutters at times which on the devices we have it shouldn't happen.
Push mail in the default mail app would be nice too.
It looks way better than the old one. Simple is better :victory:
I like the new icons... Been looking for a sense 5 cm10 for theme the last week.
I wonder if you can view twitter contacts in the 'people' app?
What I like from Sense is the ability to customize the themes (Scenes and Skins options under Personalize settings). But now they removed those options
Wonder if they'll add it back in or is there any apps that have similar functions? Especially since Sense 4+, the Skins also affects the Weather Clock look and feel.
And also, they remove tons of HTC cool widgets.
clarkgable said:
I wonder if you can view twitter contacts in the 'people' app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can
Sent from my DHD
---------- Post added at 12:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 PM ----------
Aetherion90 said:
What I like from Sense is the ability to customize the themes (Scenes and Skins options under Personalize settings). But now they removed those options
Wonder if they'll add it back in or is there any apps that have similar functions? Especially since Sense 4+, the Skins also affects the Weather Clock look and feel.
And also, they remove tons of HTC cool widgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it is still present in the other (normal) home screen
Sent from my DHD
Bought the Desire HD and One X when they were released .. Haven't regreted it a second!
As soon as the HTC One is out im all over that ****!
This phone is going to be a blast!
Movie Editor
I want Movie Editor back on mi HOX+ with Sense 5.
Anyone know if this application can be downloaded ???
Thanks !!!!
Matias.
xXxG0dzRAgexXx said:
Im loving what they did with the UI, it's a million time better but I still don't like the icons. I've never been a big fan of android Icons in general, I'm used to all my icons having the same shape like on iOS. I'm sure ill get used to it, since some icons look nice but there are quite a few that I think are just really bad. Definitely gonna be themeing to get rid of them.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
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Gross..
ios icons are the worst imo
crixley said:
Gross..
ios icons are the worst imo
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They don't look nice but I like the fact they are all the same shape. They all look like they belong with each other other. Why are you replying to a thread that's months old anyways?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk now Free
xXxG0dzRAgexXx said:
They don't look nice but I like the fact they are all the same shape. They all look like they belong with each other other. Why are you replying to a thread that's months old anyways?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk now Free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look above, I didn't bump the thread...
I'm using an app and didn't notice the date it was originally made.
Anyway I agree with the same size, but I don't like them all being the same shape.
I think that looks cheesy