Android OS does not require meeting UI standards strictly. It is
convenient for mobile device vendors as they can customize layouts
(Sense, TouchWiz, etc.). Thus they are able to provide unique solutions
for their customers and keep those satisfied customers for a long time.
The opposite is complete inconsistency in design of Android OS that is
running on devices from different manufacturers and design variance in
applications.
With Android 3.0 Honeycomb Google introduced Holo. Holo had to be a standard theme for Android application. The main idea of Holo was to unify the layout a nd provide the same user experience with all apps. In order to provide a bit of variety developers were given Holo Dark, Holo Light and Holo Light with dark action bars. Holo is supported even by earlier Android OS versions (2.x). This did not make significant effect. As a good example Google created Nexus smartphone and tablets line to show benefits of pure Android and its UI. Anyway Google requires manufacturers to include Holo files in their distribution regardless of customization to provide ability for developers to support Holo in their apps. Choosing Holo guarantees app to look the same on every compatible device.
These days we hear a lot about upcoming big change – Quantum, the new unified design framework from Google. Taking in account not so much popular Holo, Quantum has to become something that is not just a UI standard.
The goal of Quantum is to provide completely new paradigm for interaction, motion and, of course, visual design. This will result in fresh and consistent design across all platforms. Let’s wait for release of Android “L” which has to come with Quantum Framework and guidelines for new design.
With Android 3.0 Honeycomb Google introduced Holo. Holo had to be a standard theme for Android application. The main idea of Holo was to unify the layout a nd provide the same user experience with all apps. In order to provide a bit of variety developers were given Holo Dark, Holo Light and Holo Light with dark action bars. Holo is supported even by earlier Android OS versions (2.x). This did not make significant effect. As a good example Google created Nexus smartphone and tablets line to show benefits of pure Android and its UI. Anyway Google requires manufacturers to include Holo files in their distribution regardless of customization to provide ability for developers to support Holo in their apps. Choosing Holo guarantees app to look the same on every compatible device.
These days we hear a lot about upcoming big change – Quantum, the new unified design framework from Google. Taking in account not so much popular Holo, Quantum has to become something that is not just a UI standard.
The goal of Quantum is to provide completely new paradigm for interaction, motion and, of course, visual design. This will result in fresh and consistent design across all platforms. Let’s wait for release of Android “L” which has to come with Quantum Framework and guidelines for new design.
