Designing for Android
As the Android market continues to grow rapidly, understanding and avoiding common design pitfalls is essential for creating successful applications. This guide highlights significant missteps, from misaligned expectations based on iOS apps to the oversimplification of interactions in Android. Key takeaways include using real Android devices daily, embracing flexible layouts, and taking UI cues from the Android ecosystem. Being aware of these challenges and adapting your design approach can lead to better user experiences and higher market ratings.
Designing for Android
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Designing for Android Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them Yoni Samlan Partner & Android Lead Active Frequency LLC
Why Android? • Accelerated growth of market share • Upcoming explosion of new devices • You already have a competitor.
What's different? • Technical software stuff (J2SE, Dalvik) • More app lifecycle possibilities (and hazards) • Range of hardware target screens and input methods
Design Pitfalls "Here's a set of 320x480 PSDs. Just make sure everything lines up just like this, and use these images for all the buttons."
"We can just use the same workflow and navigation as our iPhone app, but with Android widgets!" Design Pitfalls
Not all interactions have direct equivalents Design Pitfalls
Testing Pitfalls "Looks good on the emulator. Upload it to the Android Market!"
The Takeaway Use an Android device every day Be flexible in your layout Take UI cues from the system, not from your iPhone app Be stoic / Zen about the lifecycle You are the first, last and only line of QA Market Ratings are forever