Android UI Collaboration Community
Posted by Timothy on Jul 30, 2009 in Android, Programs
I’ve been really unhappy with a lot of the Android apps and their UI. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen is a simple input line for a username or password where pressing enter makes the input line expand. Another issue I’ve seen a lot is when a configuration/settings screen doesn’t auto-format when in landscape mode. How are such simple UI mistakes made?
I’d really like to get community feedback on the best practices for UI development. Make this a common ground and ‘go-to’ place to help out developers who aren’t so ‘UI-savvy’.
By creating common behaviors users can anticipate what’s going to happen next because– well, it’s the same across all applications. This is one of the reasons why iPhone apps pretty much rock. The UI is silky and things ‘act’ as the user expects them to. There’s no guess work involved. Android needs this to become a stronger platform and even more popular across hardware vendors.
For those of us who’ve been following the ‘Android/G1 hacking scene’ have witnessed some of the UI development that HTC has produced. (Rosie/Hero). None of that would be slick if it weren’t for HTC taking the time to think about the users experience.
So, please help me in getting the ball rolling and lets begin defining the specs for Android UI development!
Must have G1 Android Apps
Posted by Timothy on Mar 16, 2009 in Android, Gadgets, Programs, Software
I’ve checked out most of the available Android Market– I go through it almost nightly to see what’s been added. The options are a bit limited, but here’s a good list of apps I’ve found very useful and hopefully you will too.
Power Manager
This application adds NEW power settings to the phone (e.g. how long the screen is on during a call, if device stays on while the keyboard is open, etc.) and allows you to quickly view and change other phone settings depending on different conditions (e.g. turn off the GPS when the battery level drops below 30%, lower the brightness of the screen when on battery power, change the screen timeout if on A/C power, etc.)
It comes with a set of predefined profiles and automatically starts working after installation.
Unless you want to change any of these definitions or use advanced features nothing else has to be done after the program is installed.
StarContact
StarContact allows you to search for contacts in so many different ways. It really should be built into Android. You’re given a few different search methods along with an on-screen t9 like keyboard which is easy to use without fat-fingering letters.
Useful Switchers
Useful Switchers is great for quickly turning on/off G3, Wifi, GPS, and all the other commonly toggled items on the G1. There’s a few extras included such as screen brightness and it’ll even give you a little display about your battery and memory usage.
Missed Call
Missed call allows you to actually use that tiny little RGB LED in the ear piece for different types of events. Such as a missed call, incoming SMS or Calendar event. It also allows you to configure custom ringtones for each event and even periodic reminders. Now you don’t have to pick up your phone to see if you have any pending events.
K-9 Mail
K-9 Mail is a fork of the original email client that ships with Android with a bunch of bug fixes and a number of extra features. The bug fixes along are reason enough to install this app.
ConnectBot
This one is for the techies! ConnectBot is a complete SSH Client for Android. ConnectBot allows you to SSH into a linux/solaris or (other unix flavor) machine and remotely control it, read email with mutt/pine/elm or even IRC or MOO.
iCEBar Application Launcher v3.1.0.4
Posted by Timothy on Jun 18, 2008 in Programs
Minor bug with the installer. It was attempting to create buttons to items that don’t exist in XP. This should fix all that. Be sure to uninstall the previous version if you have it installed some how.
iCEBar Application Launcher v3.1.0.2
Posted by Timothy on Mar 25, 2008 in Programs
Wanting to get back into doing some .NET stuff and trying to keep some of my projects up to date, I figured I’d fix a few bugs in iCEBar. Nothing major. Just some annoyances I found while I used the program myself. You can pick up the latest copy Here.
Corporate Clown
Posted by Timothy on Jan 23, 2004 in Programs, Random Babble
So, yesterday I had to dress up in a suit and tie. Ugh! So, I was rushing around to get everything ironed and looking nice. I leave for work and halfway there, I realize I forgot my %SDK|SideKick% ( The ultimate geek gadget ) at home. Talk about feeling nekkid! Anyhow, I hate dressing up, but after work we had an event to attend and entertain a bunch of bankers. We got two suites at Gund Arena to handle the 30-35 people we had attending. I get there and look in the little refridgerator and it’s PACKED with beer. Nice! They brought us a bunch of pizza, pretzels, and veggie trays. Wasn’t bad at all. We watched the Cleveland Cavs lose yet again. *Sigh* Can’t Cleveland have a winning team? Naa, didn’t think so– they trade all our good players. It was a long night. I dragged my manager out after the game and got him wasted. I felt kinda bad for him since he has to go to an awards dinner later today. He’ll be nice and hung over.
Today I’m pretty tired. Too much RedBull and not enought sleep. Makes sense.
I just got a bunch of shit from my boss for keeping my manager out all night. My manager is probably hurt’n today. He was pounding Jack & Coke all night. Not good.
About Me
Software developer w/ interests in DJing, photography, MMA, Streaming Media, Android hacker and gadget geek!