Archive for: user interface
Fans of HTC’s popular Sense UI skin that currently lays atop countless Android devices spanning the globe will no doubt be pleased to know a revamp is on the horizon. Debuting on the HTC EVO 3D, the new HTC Sense will feature tweaked lockscreen allowing more customization from a stock device than ever before. Other enhancements to the new Sense UI also include refinements in navigation allowing less clicks to get to the users’ desired app or service.
As of writing, the EVO 3D does not have a specific confirmed release date, though “this summer” is the everyone’s best (and obvious) guess.
The general consensus amongst smartphone enthusiasts is that Android skins and most homescreens are more trouble than they’re worth. Delays in updates and the reduced performance they often bring negate any advantages. But Kite UI could make believers out of even us.
Much like Windows Phone 7, Kite UI is different. It’s much more free-flowing in nature to the point where individual apps blend into each other rather than appearing as walled gardens of code, designed for one specific task.
Unfortunately for those of you ready to download Kite UI this very instant, the project is in it’s early stages. With that said, the small team behind Kite UI is looking for experienced coders to get the project moving on a fast track. Anyone who fits the mold is asked to check out this thread over at XDA Forums as well as shoot a PM to XDA member “Liquidice“.
What do you think: The first truly worthwhile Android skin/homescreen replacement? Hop inside for some screenshots and a quick video showing off Kite UI in action…
While RIM has been criticized many times in the past for their aging UI and OS in the modern era with such competitors as webOS, Android, and iOS, a new acquisition could spell success for the Canadian-based company. David Yach, Chief Technology Officer at RIM announced today via the company’s BlackBerry Blog that RIM is acquiring Swedish UI designer TAT The Astonishing Tribe. If you haven’t already seen some of TAT’s phenomenal UI work, take a few minutes to check out some examples on their site. You’ll quickly realize how much of a saving grace this is for RIM.
Hopefully, the underpinnings of QNX combined with some slick pixels from TAT blend well on the upcoming PlayBook tablet. Because if they do, RIM could instantly launch themselves back to the forefront of smartphone innovation with both a powerful OS and a good looking one to boot powering their entire line of devices.
I’m sure Apple has spent countless man-hours determining a suitable Mission Control UI. Such staple features of a new OS update aren’t taken without immense consideration for a number of varying factors. In Apple’s case, the Mission Control we saw shown off was certainly graphically pleasing to the eye. But it could be so much more.
While I’m generally not a huge fan of the 3D fanaticism that’s currently enveloping the tech market, this 3D-ified Mission Control designed by Zach Forrester is actually pretty unique. As website Beautiful Pixels points out, it may look good now, but how well will it scale to Apple’s assortment of devices and screens?
Given the needed resources and delay in actually switching (due to waiting for transitions and such), I wonder how useful a 3D Mission Control would actually be. Although, if there’s anyone who could pull off a risky UI decision, Apple would be one of my first picks.
What do you guys think: To 3D or not to 3D?
- September 28, 2010 6:49 am
Android has been receiving an increasing amount of flack as of late for the surging use of custom, 3rd party skins. The developers of the skins say they aid in usefulness to the customer as well as making Android look better. The former is mildly debatable while the latter is a blatant lie. I have yet to see an Android skin that makes me want it in return for slowed and delayed updates.
But Google could easily fix this problem — outlaw custom skins and make manufacturers leave Android untouched. Google king pin, Eric Schmidt has already stated that they won’t do that. Soooo we can only hope Android 3.0′s claimed redesign is good enough manufacturers leave their hands off. A dreamer I may be. But if stock Android looked anything like this MIUI ROM (available for Nexus One) we may just see the end of custom skins. Before you judge a book by it’s cover, make sure you watch the video inside first…
We’ve highlighted the Emblaze First Else smartphone several times over the last year here at GS. The hardware wasn’t anything to write home about but the software was truly some amazing stuff. The First Else featured a UI like none other before it, while managing to pull off easy navigation to boot! Nailing both aspects so well (especially for a first timer) is pretty rare.
Countless delays have however put doubt in may consumers’ minds. Today, that doubt has manifested into reality as Emblaze has officially gone on the record announcing their immediate desertion of their software + hardware research/development and instead focusing on licensing out the ELSE Intuition platform to 3rd parties.
Due to critical delays in deliveries and the current status of the project, the board has now decided to cease any further investment towards manufacturing of the First ELSE mobile device and to concentrate efforts only on licensing the ELSE Intuition platform and technology in order to realize its potential upside.
No, it’s not quite the same as Emblaze’s “own device”. But connoisseurs of that lovely UI don’t really have much else to go with. Ya never know, several 3rd parties picking up the ELSE Intuition platform and having their way with it may turn out to be just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully manufacturers like ELSE Intuition as much as we geeky consumers do.
Anyone preparing for lost sleep tonight?
Moto Backflip? Crap. Nexus One? Expensive. HTC Aria? Now we’re talking. Deathstar AT&T users looking for something worth using in the Android sphere haven’t had a bone throne to them yet. As we’ve mentioned before, the Backflip was absolute junk and the Nexus One was out of reach for most with its unsubsidized pricing. Thankfully HTC has done AT&T customers right with the Aria.
For the interested hoards, the Aria features a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera and Android 2.1 with Sense UI wrapping it up. Android 2.2 would have been a much better choice, but given the carrier’s Android history, I’m not about to knock an OS that’s only a few months old. Look for the Aria on June 20th.
And now the good part, video after you take the jump…
The JooJoo has faired a bit better overseas than here in the states. It just hasn’t seemed to catch on here. Then again, when facing a $400+ debit going towards your finances, which would you rather have — honestly? In the U.S. it’s unanimously been the iPad. But maybe a little hackery fun can change your views, hmm? In the JooJoo forums, some talented folks have managed to put together the necessary code to get Windows 7 up and running over the JooJoo’s stock UI. Windows 7 isn’t as finger friendly as even the JooJoo’s stock goods, but then again, it’s a full blown desktop OS on a relatively capable tablet.
In other news, if you’re in need of a space heater, word is that the JooJoo strains itself considerably running Redmond’s OS of choice. Better get out those oven mitts if you’re going to play ball. Hop inside for a video of the Windows 7-on-JooJoo action…
One of the greatest things about the Moto Droid v1 was it’s superior hardware (at the time) and it’s plain jane Android skin. Sure, it wouldn’t win any beauty contests. But it also doesn’t take extra long for updates to hit that stock face, right? So it’s a give and a take type of thing. Tonight, a short list of specs and a couple more photos of the Droid 2 were leaked and show some pretty notable improvements, namely the 750MHz processor, improved and enlarged keyboard, and 5-megapixel camera. Though one thing sticks out in my mind as a huge mistake — Moto Blur.
