Getting to know Android 4.1, Part 1 - The Basics | Hacker News Reader

Getting to know Android 4.1, Part 1 - The Basics

androidpolice.com

75 pointswallflower15 comments

I've got Jelly Bean running on my GNex and I think the new UI is much nicer. This review spends a lot of time nitpicking the buttons, and the blown up pictures do make them look a little off. But I don't notice it all when using the phone.

In my opinion this review leaves out the best new parts of Jelly Bean. The notifications pull down has changed to show better previews of text or email messages. Including showing previews of both messages if you have more than one. The overall look and feel of the notification UI (and integration with the cards) is also much better.

This review also doesn't spend much time talking about the new cards system. It took me a few days to integrate it into my workflow but its really nice, especially the integration with Google Places. I basically see cards as a more refined UI to Google search results.

Just my two cents, overall Jelly Bean is a good improvement to Android and continues Google's goal to unify the Android UI.

It is "Part 1 - The Basics"...

Glad they fixed the icon height inconsistency issue. That bothered me a lot more than it should have. I always look at little problems like that as kind of a proxy for the rest of the system I can't see. So some random app force closes and I'm thinking 'this is because the parts I can't see are just as sloppy as the parts I can see' I totally realize that's not a fair assumption to make but I can't help it.

EDIT: Never-mind. Scrolled down in the article and realized they didn't actually fix it. I can't see how this could take someone more than a couple hours to fix. Come on guys.

> I can't see how this could take someone more than a couple hours to fix.

This is what kills me about the icon consistency thing. All it would take is a single Googler with Photoshop a single day to fix.

Because iterating great design is so obvious & effortless?

They just need to line them up. We know these icons are often going to be next to each other. I know Googlers are using these phones. It doesn't bother them?!

> and I'm thinking 'this is because the parts I can't see are just as sloppy as the parts I can see' I totally realize that's not a fair assumption to make but I can't help it

It's very accurate assumption in my experience.

Why is it that they keep messing with the interface? It changes significantly even in minor version bumps. I think that goes to say why iOS usually feels much more polished. I can't imagine having my lock screen and UI colors change every couple months.

If only we could get the new versions "every couple months." Many Android users will never see this updated UI on their device.

This is not a minor version bump but a proper new version - just that their version numbering hasn't increased by an integer point.

I believe their version numbering is in decimals to ensure that this upgrade looks like a tick-tock upgrade.

Few Android users keep the default backgrounds so it's only natural for Google to change too. It also makes it easy to see that it's new and different.

Background images are the smallest concern; the significant changes are UI accent colors, the unlock mechanism, fonts, input styles, toolbar buttons... while they change many times a year, iOS still looks essentially the same as 5 years go, yet beautiful and usable. The most radical changes I can remember are the switch to rounded radio buttons, lock screen shortcuts and notifications pulldown.

Well, "yet beautiful and usable" is a matter of opinion.

I find the 5 year old iOS UI boring and much less usable than the AOSP Android UI.

And this could be related to the fact that the Android team is refining the UI with every iteration.

Not sure if I agree with your "beautiful and usable" comment, there's a very good reason for design iteration.

Check out some geocities sites from a while ago for some 'usable' websites.

Personally I feel like the UI of iOS is very aged, requiring you to click on a icon to see information about that app whereas a widget allows a wealth of information at a glance. Often even access to an application's controls without having to open the app.

Remember @thechut this is only part one. They'll probably go over the features you had mentioned. I think they did a fine job of analyzing the design and pixels, although i didnt notice the issues initially im glad they provide a second set of eyes.

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