Props to Ed Miller for passing on this video demo of Android, Google’s new operating system for mobiles:
My first reaction was: “Wow, Sergey Brin does a killer Christopher Walken…”
And my second reaction: “So the big deal here is…?”
The notifications across the top of the screen are nice, but the Dock/Taskbar across the bottom is hardly an innovation for desktop computers users. And the WebKit browser? Been standard in S60 devices for years — okay, a year, but my point’s still valid.
I think the real story here is that Google, like yours truly, has realized that mobiles are where all the action’s gonna be, and are pouring considerable amounts of their vast resources into the space. Android, by the way, has a pretty darn good pedigree, being the brainchild of one Andy Rubin, former Apple employee and one of the founders of Danger, Inc. — and you’ll know from reading this blog that I hold their hiptop in pretty high regard!
But back to the user interface… To see how Android stacks up against what’s already on sale, here’s a demo of the HTC Touch, a current darling of the smartphone set:
Yeah, I know… Phone Scoop dude’s voice is really annoying! Feel free to scrub through until you see something you want to watch at regular speed.
Oh, and one thing they don’t tell you? HTC’s custom interface is only one level deep — meaning that once you’re in the filesystem proper your eyes will burn with the standard fugliness of Windows Mobile, albeit the slightly-less-fugly WinMo 6.
And what mobile UI round-up would be complete without a look at the tard — er, iPhone? It’s old news in the US and A, but across the pond everyone’s knickers are in a knot over its recent release. This particular video is courtesy of girlie gadget site Shiny Shiny — maybe next time you gals could focus up a bit on the iPhone’s shiny shiny screen?
And finally, here’s what the menu looks like on my Nokia E61i, positively ancient by comparison. How about you? Are you happy with your handy’s user interface? Let us know in the comments — bonus points for screen grabs!
6 Comments
AC:
I assume you mean definition #2 of handy. For definitions #1 and #3, I have no complaints….
I have an LG Chocolate (Bell’s LG800, the CDMA variant of the KG800). It’s a slider phone, with a small touchscreen area beneath the main display (the display itself has no touch function). It’s a touchy (no pun intended) phone, and any time I’ve handed it to someone to look at, they inevitably activate the browser or music store by grabbing the touchscreen the wrong way. I find the display a bit awkward (to lock the phone, I have to go through 3 menus, for instance), but the display is bright with decent colour for its size. I can’t actually download files or music to it since it’s not Mac-compatible, so I’ve never used those functions. A programmable hot key or two would be nice.
Overall, now that I’ve gotten used to the touchscreen and the interface, it’s quite easy to use, but I’m only using it for calls and the rare text message. I haven’t used the browser, for instance (I may if I go for the new Bell $7/month unlimited data plan), or have I played media files.
The Telus version of the phone, the VX8500, has an iPod-esque scroll wheel as well as the touch functions, but I’ve never used it to offer a comparison.
But these are both obsolete now that LG’s brought out the Shine (SD cards) and the Musiq (Sirius receiver, FM re-transmitter).
Ed
Ah yes, the Korean handset stylish enough for the streets of Tokyo!
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2827b7
Does Bell put any good games on there?
Yeah, I must say that S60 is looking a little tired by comparison, although a good theme or two can fix it up a bit. As for the Touch, I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned the spellbinding move that happened at Bell this week, when they introduced the Touch with a $7 unlimited data (that includes browsing, email, IM, 3rd party apps etc.) plan. The wireless community has gone nuts!
AC:
Sadly, the Japanese version has a lot more to it than the stripped down Bell model–but it looks the same, so next time I’m in Tokyo, I’m gonna impress the locals….
There were a couple of game demos on the Chockie, but nothing special. I’ve kept the billiards game as a timewaster and because it had the best graphics. The games are all Java, so I should be able to download and play any Java-based game.
Despite a great design and a lot of bells and whistles, I haven’t been tempted by the Touch since it’s Windows Mobile-based and I’m a Mac user–I’d have to invest in 3rd party software to make them play together nicely or set up to sync at work on my PC.
I’ll probably take a longer look at the Treos so that I could stop hauling around the Chocolate and my Palm Tungsten and just have one box of wires to carry.
Ed
Elias, I’m still waiting on confirmation on whether or not Bell’s $7 data plan is only for the HTC Touch or if it applies to their entire product line.
For anyone who HASN’T heard, here’s how the news rolled out for Fido users on the HowardForums:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/33phrq
AC:
Google has just announced a new app for the iPhone, so they’re clearly looking to get onto every phone, even those without Android:
http://tinyurl.com/3cgtts
Cheers,
Ed