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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.
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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?
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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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Hi, if you haven't heard of it the Samsung Note II has a very interesting feature: Split screen multi window support. Here's a video:
As you can see, it works very well and makes multitasking on the device a breeze. The video states that only a few apps are supported which is kind of correct; devs can add support to their apps with a single line of code, or you can flash a new list of supported apps to manually add support for the ones you want.
In my opinion, if this was added to AOSP it could be the killer feature that would set Android apart from iOS. But that's not the point of my post, what I'm wondering is if this feature can be ported to run on the Nexus 4. I don't know much about Android development, but it seems like there are two options for this to happen:
1. Port Touchwiz from the Note II to the Nexus 4, and then remove bloatware apps/retheme so that it looks more like AOSP.
2. Somehow remove the split-screen component from the touchwiz ROM, port to AOSP, profit.
Obviously #2 is preferable, but pretty far fetched. Can any developer folk provide some insight on whether either of these are feasible? I would really love to heave this feature on my phone.
Youtube embedding works like this, quote my reply to see the code I used
jacklebott said:
Youtube embedding works like this, quote my reply to see the code I used
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Thanks.
I'm kind of disappointed no one seems to be interested in multi window. I think it's a killer feature.
Whatever happened to Cornerstone?
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk 2
Split-Screen apps is not part of touchwiz it is part of the framework (for lack of a better term) system behind touchwiz. There are people on the GNote10 forum here at xda that have rooted and are running different launchers other than touchwiz but they are still getting Split-Screen Multitasking.
donec said:
Split-Screen apps is not part of touchwiz it is part of the framework (for lack of a better term) system behind touchwiz. There are people on the GNote10 forum here at xda that have rooted and are running different launchers other than touchwiz but they are still getting Split-Screen Multitasking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touchwiz isn't just a launcher, it's really a whole OS based on Android.
Tapatalk² from my Optimus V
kcls said:
Touchwiz isn't just a launcher, it's really a whole OS based on Android.
Tapatalk² from my Optimus V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought but there are several people that say they have replaced (what they call the ugly resource hog) TouchWiz and still have the multi-screens by replacing the launcher. So they claim the muli-screens are part of the (their name for it) framework. All I know is I wish the multi-screens and floating windows could be part of Android so multi-screens and floating windows could be on all android devices because they really help productivity.
trita629 said:
Whatever happened to Cornerstone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Essentially, Google asked Onskreen/Cyanogenmod to stop. The touchwiz version doesn't have the same compatibility problems because the app developer must integrate support into his app, instead of it working automatically.
donec said:
That's what I thought but there are several people that say they have replaced (what they call the ugly resource hog) TouchWiz and still have the multi-screens by replacing the launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are referring to touchscreen as the visible elements (adjustments to notifications, touchwiz launcher, etc.) and in the technical sense. They have only hidden these elements, not removed them (except for the launcher and default apps). The ROM is still based off of a touchwiz ROM, and not AOSP, hence the multi window options remain.
yumcax said:
Hi, if you haven't heard of it the Samsung Note II has a very interesting feature: Split screen multi window support. Here's a video:
As you can see, it works very well and makes multitasking on the device a breeze. The video states that only a few apps are supported which is kind of correct; devs can add support to their apps with a single line of code, or you can flash a new list of supported apps to manually add support for the ones you want.
In my opinion, if this was added to AOSP it could be the killer feature that would set Android apart from iOS. But that's not the point of my post, what I'm wondering is if this feature can be ported to run on the Nexus 4. I don't know much about Android development, but it seems like there are two options for this to happen:
1. Port Touchwiz from the Note II to the Nexus 4, and then remove bloatware apps/retheme so that it looks more like AOSP.
2. Somehow remove the split-screen component from the touchwiz ROM, port to AOSP, profit.
Obviously #2 is preferable, but pretty far fetched. Can any developer folk provide some insight on whether either of these are feasible? I would really love to heave this feature on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'd be better on n7. I could watch twitch/use yaairc as desired!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium HD app
I don't see the appeal really. Unless on a Tablet. Seems Pointless On A Screen Smaller Than 5". other than watching video while doing other things which we can already do. what else you need to do really that you can't just switch to
:xda on sprint g-nex:
If any of the devs are reading this please please please find a way to port this baby on the Nexus 4. Im a multitasker and that quad core needs to be utilized.
Im begging.
DLFB said:
If any of the devs are reading this please please please find a way to port this baby on the Nexus 4. Im a multitasker and that quad core needs to be utilized.
Im begging.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not begging but +1
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
yumcax said:
Essentially, Google asked Onskreen/Cyanogenmod to stop.
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Click to collapse
Wasn't it just moveable 'windows' that Google was against?
If you want to port touchwiz frame work over to the nexus. You do that then I will short the multi window!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
malibu_23 said:
Seems Pointless On A Screen Smaller Than 5"
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I agree, but with most 2013 flagships being FullHD 5" phones, I think this feature is becoming increasingly useful. Splitting a 1080p screen in the middle leaves 2x 1080x960 halves, easily enough to functionally use most apps (at least while the keyboard isn't displayed) imo.
iamdave84 said:
I agree, but with most 2013 flagships being FullHD 5" phones, I think this feature is becoming increasingly useful. Splitting a 1080p screen in the middle leaves 2x 1080x960 halves, easily enough to functionally use most apps (at least while the keyboard isn't displayed) imo.
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Click to collapse
While personally I don't much of a point for this on small screens - it still stands that the smaller screens of today are still going on resolutions that used to be tablet domain, Now that the lines between tablets, phablets and tablets have been getting much more blurry - and many of all 3 are based on same SoCs (Both due to SoC & auxiliary size shrinking and avg phone size growing) - this function should hopefully be revived.
Especially considering the developement an outspread of highly capable android tablets during the last year.
One of the software features that isn't getting much press but one that I'm hugely looking forward to is the ability to hide the On Screen Nav Buttons on an app by app basis.
I've never been 100% behind Google's decision to advocate the On Screen Nav Buttons. A huge waste of screen real estate sitting there doing nothing while you read/play etc. The expectation was that developers would choose to hide them when they weren't needed but that never really happened. Some developers got behind the idea (thanks!) but even Google has inconsistent behavior when dealing with them.
Now we can choose to display them or not on an app by app basis. A swipe up from the bottom of the screen displays them again.
There are a number of delightful touches like this one on the G3.
Great work LG.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
I agree. Even though it's easy enough to root the phone and force immersive mode, I applaud LG for implementing something that should be on every applicable Android phone, yet isn't. I'm very much looking forward to the phone becoming available, whenever that may be.
Though a nice effort by LG, there are a lot of games that use up motions for movement. Anyone into game emulators will especially have issues. Not to mention not all apps work with it, including web browsers.
I prefer my S4 having buttons at the bottom. The irony is the G3 5.5" display is the same size as the 5" display S4 for some apps and navigation.
Still, LGs effort is MUCH better than nothing.
rushless said:
Though a nice effort by LG, there are a lot of games that use up motions for movement. Anyone into game emulators will especially have issues. Not to mention not all apps work with it, including web browsers.
I prefer my S4 having buttons at the bottom. The irony is the G3 5.5" display is the same size as the 5" display S4 for some apps and navigation.
Still, LGs effort is MUCH better than nothing.
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Click to collapse
Browsers do work with it. I say 'browsers' but I can only confirm Chrome and the stock browser.
In the instances that it might cause a problem for things like emulators then just don't include them in the list. It's an opt-in feature on an app per app basis. Best of both worlds really.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
this work on all apps? if so great, can't wait for mine... now if only they made Qslide works on all apps too!
rushless said:
Though a nice effort by LG, there are a lot of games that use up motions for movement. Anyone into game emulators will especially have issues. Not to mention not all apps work with it, including web browsers.
I prefer my S4 having buttons at the bottom. The irony is the G3 5.5" display is the same size as the 5" display S4 for some apps and navigation.
Still, LGs effort is MUCH better than nothing.
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Click to collapse
seems to work perfectly with chrome and stock browser and pretty much any app that i select on my phone. I have to say LG really listens to people and implement their suggestions on their devices. I hate wasting screen real estate especially when i'm playing games or watching a video in an app that can't force the nav bar to minimize. LG solved this problem.
not all apps, I guess
nap007 said:
this work on all apps? if so great, can't wait for mine... now if only they made Qslide works on all apps too!
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Click to collapse
I do not think this cool feature will work on all apps.
This sounds a very good feature and something that everyone should be doing, the thing is though I haven't seen this mentioned in any reviews I've seen or read and that's quite alot! As mentioned I'd prefer hard buttons ala Samsung phones but because they've dropped FM Radio I wont be buying one of those any time soon.
Does anyone know if there's the one handed mode from the G Pro 2 that shrinks the whole screen down to a size of your choice? Again was featured and mentioned in G Pro 2 reviews but is not something I've heard about on the G3
phillio said:
This sounds a very good feature and something that everyone should be doing, the thing is though I haven't seen this mentioned in any reviews I've seen or read and that's quite alot! As mentioned I'd prefer hard buttons ala Samsung phones but because they've dropped FM Radio I wont be buying one of those any time soon.
Does anyone know if there's the one handed mode from the G Pro 2 that shrinks the whole screen down to a size of your choice? Again was featured and mentioned in G Pro 2 reviews but is not something I've heard about on the G3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just YouTube DetroitBORG's Unboxing and Review for a demonstration of the Nav Button hiding and a demo of the One Handed Operation solution LG have implemented. It's a fantastic review showing loads of cool stuff!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
It's a nice feature for sure, but gets old after awhile. I hate constantly having to swipe up to bring them up to hit the back button. It's cool on some apps, then others it's not. For whatever reason I can't get it to go away in YouTube. This is on 4.4.2 on a g flex though.
Sent from my LG-D959 using Tapatalk
JesseMT4G said:
It's a nice feature for sure, but gets old after awhile. I hate constantly having to swipe up to bring them up to hit the back button. It's cool on some apps, then others it's not. For whatever reason I can't get it to go away in YouTube. This is on 4.4.2 on a g flex though.
Sent from my LG-D959 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
It's a shame there is no pie like control system in the stock rom but it's a lot better than other stock roms where you can do absolutely nothing with the on screen buttons.
It's nice to use for certain apps such as a news app or game where you don't need buttons. Other then that out doors get annoying to swipe up, but I'm glad LG included it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Is it possible to change the nav button icons to look like HTC One M8 without root?
I saw somewhere you can change app icons without root too?
TheKrow said:
Is it possible to change the nav button icons to look like HTC One M8 without root?
I saw somewhere you can change app icons without root too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not on the G3 using the stock Optimus launcher.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Previously, I had an Android app, which built on the top of ActionBarSherlock. The app runs well on Android 2.3 till Android 5.0
Currently, I'm in the process, of migrating my app, from ActionBarSherlock to Google AppCompat.
For the app running on Android 5.0, I'm targeting to use Material design.
However, if the app is running on Android 2.3 till Android 4, should I make the app having Holo look, or Material look? Does Google provide any official guideline on this?
yccheok said:
Previously, I had an Android app, which built on the top of ActionBarSherlock. The app runs well on Android 2.3 till Android 5.0
Currently, I'm in the process, of migrating my app, from ActionBarSherlock to Google AppCompat.
For the app running on Android 5.0, I'm targeting to use Material design.
However, if the app is running on Android 2.3 till Android 4, should I make the app having Holo look, or Material look? Does Google provide any official guideline on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an interesting question, and one I think there is more to it then it first seems. I don't think there is an official, clear statement from Google that you explicitely hav to use ABC with Material in Android 4.x, but the material design webpage says they wanted to "Develop a single underlying system that allows for a unified experience across platforms and device sizes". I would consider across platforms meaning across Android, iOS, etc., as well as different and old versions of the OS. But on the other hand, if we take a look at the design principles they want us to follow, all the screenshots are from 4.x and there is no mention of MD (there is one on the landing page though). Feels all a bit clumsy and unfinsished to me, as if they didn't really know what to do with the old guidelines...
And as hard as Material tries to promote consistency, doesn't it break consistency inside older versions of Android where all system apps are still using holo? Well yeah, they certainly do, but we've had the same problem with holo on 2.x devices... And as far as Google themselves, they are in the process of bringing all their apps to material on all devices and all versions of Android. I guess we can gladly follow them and use the Material theme everywhere, since it is more important that your app stays (almost) consistent with itself between Android versions than supporting outdated design languages and devices (which should have been updated to Lollipop anyway). Imagine someone having a KitKat Sony phone and a Nexus 7. You really want them to see two different apps everytime they switch from phone to tablet?
tl;dr use MD whenever possible, but if it's too much work fall back to holo
Something like Nova or Apex, or even more obscure ones. It doesn't matter.
I dunno if i should install Android Wear on my Gear S or not, because it's Android 6.0.1, so it's a bit newer, but i don't like the Wear UI.
Does stuff like PowerShade, X-Status, MiControl Center or Miui-ify work on Wear?
Myrmeko said:
Something like Nova or Apex, or even more obscure ones. It doesn't matter.
I dunno if i should install Android Wear on my Gear S or not, because it's Android 6.0.1, so it's a bit newer, but i don't like the Wear UI.
Does stuff like PowerShade, X-Status, MiControl Center or Miui-ify work on Wear?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't imagine what would you expect from WearOS, but there is a customizable launcher. Look for Bubble Cloud
Myrmeko said:
Something like Nova or Apex, or even more obscure ones. It doesn't matter.
I dunno if i should install Android Wear on my Gear S or not, because it's Android 6.0.1, so it's a bit newer, but i don't like the Wear UI.
Does stuff like PowerShade, X-Status, MiControl Center or Miui-ify work on Wear?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is only ONE REAL launcher that I know of and use,
it's called "Jelllybean" launcher, you can find it in the
Galaxy Watch's google play store easily and it's free.
It was created to replace the stock wear os app launcher
and has many excellent options and features.
It looks like the stock default launcher in wear os and
it also looks very similar to the Tickwatch Pro 3 custom
app Mobvoi launcher but it has a lot more features and
custom options.
The Bubble Cloud launcher is super difficult to use and the app launcher in Bubble Cloud is just a very small part of the actual Bubble Cloud app.
You cannot simply download and install it like all the android replacement launchers we see at the playstore.
After looking at it it reminds me of a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. LOL - There are many people who do like it!!!
Lord Sithek said:
I can't imagine what would you expect from WearOS, but there is a customizable launcher. Look for Bubble Cloud
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well... I expected a phone-like UI, because i never liked the Wear UI.
I could install Ultimate Dynamic Navbar and remap the home command to launching the "home" activity of something like Nova Launcher.
Watches can run GTA and Minecraft, but i still don't get why they lack the ability to run a simple launcher.
Misterjunky said:
There is only ONE REAL launcher that I know of and use,
it's called "Jelllybean" launcher, you can find it in the
Galaxy Watch's google play store easily and it's free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you give me a link? I can't find anything about it.
Myrmeko said:
Could you give me a link? I can't find anything about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just open the playstore on your wear os watch and search for the word "Jelllylauncher" and install it.
It's so easy even Mikey can can do that, you don't even need a link.
Have a great day!
@Myrmeko https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vg.maarten.jellylauncher
TheJoker86 said:
@Myrmeko https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vg.maarten.jellylauncher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
Misterjunky said:
Just open the playstore on your wear os watch and search for the word "Jelllybean" and install it.
It's so easy even Mikey can can do that, you don't even need a link.
Have a great day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh... It's called JellyLauncher, not JellyBean launcher.
Since you called JellyBean so many times, i thought it was a different one.
Yes... You are right...
I have been using jellylauncher for almost 3 yrs, I really like it a lot.
Also if you are looking for the very best and one of a kind watch face app
Called the
"Ultimate Watch 2" give it a try, it's a lot more than simply a watch face...
It's more like a full customizing studio with hundreds of presets and user options and features which are not found in any other wear os watch face.
It's 100 % compatible with all the wear os galaxy watches.
Let me know what you think of it....
Have a great day.
Misterjunky said:
Yes... You are right...
I have been using jellylauncher for almost 3 yrs, I really like it a lot.
Also if you are looking for the very best and one of a kind watch face app
Called the
"Ultimate Watch 2" give it a try, it's a lot more than simply a watch face...
It's more like a full customizing studio with hundreds of presets and user options and features which are not found in any other wear os watch face.
It's 100 % compatible with all the wear os galaxy watches.
Let me know what you think of it....
Have a great day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Have a nice day too.
I don't have a Wear OS watch yet, because the lack of phone app support is a major downside to me.
I'm still using a Galaxy Gear S with Andorid 5.1.1 installed on it.
But i'm thinking of getting the latest Galaxy Watch, but i'm also thinking about getting a Nubia Watch, because it's more of what i currently have.
Sorry to post on this somewhat old thread. I tried the Jelllybean app. It doesn't replace the default home app on WearOS (settings-> Apps & notifications -> Default apps -> Home app). It doesn't even show up as an option there. Does anyone know if that is even possile to download an app on WearOS 3 to replace the default home app?