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Android UI/UX Movement

I'd like to start a movement...
Android's openness is a double-edged sword. Too often many devs (sadly most Android devs) seem to omit any sort of design when it comes to their apps. Doesn't matter if the app is amazing, or horrid, the design is far too often hideous.
Due to the lack of an approval process we become that approval process. We tell them what's good, what's bad, and what needs to be modified. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to happen enough and a lot of apps have old Android 1.0 looking icons and UI/UXs or simply horrendous everything visual.
I try my best to tell however many devs I can that they need to up the quality of their apps...I often reference examples in the market that show a dev who gets it. And while the number of great looking apps is skyrocketing a lot of ugly apps still persist...way too many.
So, I'd like to start a movement...a sort of motivational movement...advice...even help...
you don't need to be a dev, or a designer...just a person who understands the difference between a good looking app and an ugly/could be better app.
After that all you'd need to do is inform the dev of the issues and simply hope for the best. lol
We can't force the dev's to change their designs...but we can offer advice, help, tips...etc.
PS...Apps that look like iPhone apps are deemed BAD APPS...Android design paradigm allows for great looking apps that in no way mimic the look of an iPhone app...

I'm a designer as well and I feel good about my accomplishments thus far. I'm trying to learn more about developing for android so that I can make a difference in terms of aesthetically pleasing applications for the platform. Would be cool to work with a current developer on a program from start to finish.

chrisdarwin said:
I'm a designer as well and I feel good about my accomplishments thus far. I'm trying to learn more about developing for android so that I can make a difference in terms of aesthetically pleasing applications for the platform. Would be cool to work with a current developer on a program from start to finish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need to brush up on interface design...oddly I can design a web page with ease but when it comes to smaller scale designs I struggle...I "paint with a broad brush" so to speak.
but yea. I'm willing to help as well...so any devs in the NY/Northern NJ area if you need help on an application from start to finish let me know.
Also I hope this thread can catch on...Android needs help...and we are the ones who can help.
Don't let this thread die. It's kind of important.

of course no one cares.

This is a great idea. I think the Android community as a whole lacks in the design department. Just look at the users' screenshots.

Hear hear!

@AbsoluteDesignz, I'm not sure if you've given up on this movement or not due to apparent lack of interest, but I for one totally agree with you. I suggest you stir up interest by posting in the threads of users who clearly DO see the difference between good looking and ugly apps/UIs/UXs. Such threads include:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=476483
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=990233.
In either of these threads you'll find the work of many themers and other skillful end users who go to lengths to ensure their devices look as good as they work.
Hope this helps.

I think there is no motivation for devs to make good-looking apps because they get more money on iOS than the open Android. Many users think - why buy app if you can just download it from blackmarket or find apk online?

ShootMe Dev Giving up on Android Community? What about you?

I wrote about it here: LINK
Does anyone know more about the background - from the twitter account it seems like just a general run-down and a disappointing community.
Other developers on here feel the same?
I'd love to get comments from some of the developers on here, if that is the case.

I'm not a developer but did read this already on a posting at Google+.
But you are right, moving into that direction would be very bad.
Some people think they can be rude because they stay anonymous.
Its something that happens more and more these days on the internet.

I realize it's impossible - there are 12 year olds who probably run rampant.
Seems like there is SOMETHING that can be done.

I'm as Pro-Android as they come. But at times it feels like starting a relationship with a beautiful boy/girl only to find they come with a sack load of emotional baggage.
Here's my take on it: http://andgamesdevblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/android-culture-its-own-worst-enemy.html
I am far from giving up (thick skinned) but there is a real troll culture growing and needs to be stomped out. Anonymity has it's uses but, as with everything else, has its drawbacks. What we need is troll hunters!
Paul
(aka Strangemoo)

I have seen that there are some stupid comments on the market... But not so extreme as to take down your app...
Some users is just plain stupid... I'm from Denmark, so a lot of the comments are in danish... But that devs are many times foreign and really don't look or understand the comments... But a lot of them complain about pathetic things like no app 2 sd or that some function suddenly's gone instead of just writing the dev an email about the issue and giving the app the respect it deserves... 1/5 rating is a lot of the times not justified...
Just my 2-cents...

I'm sorry but this is a silly and immature move by the developer. Receiving negative feedback, dealing with trolls and idiotic users that don't understand technology are fundamental assumptions of the internet, just like not giving out your passwords or helping Nigerian princes get their money out of Africa.
I loved ShootMe and used it for our screenshots, but I don't have a lot of empathy for people that empower others to control how they feel.
Wrote about this a few weeks back: http://www.androidstatic.com/what-shootme-removed-from-the-android-market

I work in IT support and one of the things I have to support is phones. It blows my mind how many 10-12 year old kids have nicer phones than I do because their rich mommy and daddys think their precious little angels needs the latest and greatest smart phones. I went over to a client's office a couple of months ago and he had 3 brand new Droid 2s for his kids, ranging from 10-14.
Point of all this?
In this day and age, there are so many rude little kids with nice phones all over these forums, its amazing to me anyone sticks around. Im over 40 and was raised in a different time than these self entitled children I see around here that want everything now, for free and want you to do it for them.
I cant blame the guy for leaving. A lot of times I wish I could go live on an island somewhere where I didnt have to deal with people because most of them suck.

s15274n said:
I wrote about it here: LINK
Does anyone know more about the background - from the twitter account it seems like just a general run-down and a disappointing community.
Other developers on here feel the same?
I'd love to get comments from some of the developers on here, if that is the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not a developer, but I was a ShootMe user on my EVO 4G. When it received the upgrade to Gingerbread, the app stopped working. The developer never replied to my email and from reading comments on Market didn't reply to anyone.
He did finally released a new version of ShootMe, but you had to have a computer to use it. Also everytime your reboot your phone, you had to sync everytime with your computer.
Sent from my HTC EVO 3D using Tapatalk

Welcome to the "masses".
Want a better experience? Go smaller. Dev for Windows Phone, or Web OS, or RIM.
Once something becomes part of the main stream, you'll see the d-bags start rolling in. Even something like xda can be tarnished once it "gets too big". There is hardly a day that goes by where I don't read a thread here that doesn't make me shake my head. This used to be a highly technical forum, back when every devices was htc and running windows mobile.
The only thing that can really be done, is to work with a smaller, more appreciative community. I doubt you would get very many jerk off comments from a Windows Phone user, they are happy to get whatever they can.

All very good points. I wish I had put a little into my thoughts before typing that up - dev's need to be tougher AND respond to people.

s15274n said:
All very good points. I wish I had put a little into my thoughts before typing that up - dev's need to be tougher AND respond to people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a android developer IMHO the android community is as bad as they come. Xda for example used to be a place of collaboration. Currently its a place where maybe .1% do dev, .9% appreciate the development and try to help, 99% ether complain or say nothing at all. Whether the development is for free or profite(which I won't evev get into here) how is a developer supposed to work off of that? Users would rather right a comment blasting a developer who has literally spent days of his life on some product without even attempting to resolve the issue themselves.
I'm not saying some complaints are not warranted, just saying flip the coin around and its not so hard to understand the developers standpoint.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

There is no denying that there is frustration on both sides. This frustration seems to stem from expectation, communication and control.
The developer expects their customers to be civil.
The users expects the developers to devote anything between some to all of their resources/free time building/making their products better.
Both are unreasonable expectations if you think about it.
Civility can only be maintained in a mediated environment - the Android Market seems only concerned about brand and copyright issues. Google seems to think that it's ok to put its developer behind chicken-wire with lights in their eyes whilst their customers are free to hurl beer bottles at them. Dealing with anony-trolls is time consuming and offputting.
Developers range from teenagers with spare time on their hands up to multi-million dollar development studios. I, myself, am a father of three, I work a full week (we've got to eat!) and I code when time permits. Even though I respond to every request put to my apps, if you think that I'm going to compromise the balance of other areas of my life to put in a bug fix - think again. Sure, some of the more effluent businesses can throw more resources into a project, but just bare in mind that most of us are just people and not doormats. Respect and encouragement is all it takes to make the market a happy place. Flaming just ruins things for all (on both sides).
Communication between devs and end users is and most likely always will be a bit of a sticking point. The fact that everyone has their own opinions, likes, dislikes kind of makes it obvious that there will never be an app with 100% 5 stars. Even the most popular apps on the market have ratings across the board. Though, admittedly, some of the low grades may be down to trolling - but some of them will be genuine. Communication takes time. From a user, it may take a couple of minutes out of their day. For the dev, they may have hundreds a day to deal with. This takes them away from the development that the mail is probably asking for!
A user doesn't, and should never have control over the developer. They should, however, be able to request, beg, plead *nicely*. If they get frustrated then they should remember the phrase 'you get what you pay for'. The developer doesn't get any money when you bought your phone - so don't think they have any obligation to give you something for nothing. If it's a paid app, then the developer is saying 'yes, I'll support it.' That's fair sport.
The developer should have some control over their customers in the sense that a shopkeeper can choose who they let in their shops. Unfortunately they have none. They can't even moderate the comments on the market. I've had a 'GAY - Pointless, uninstall' (his words, not mine) on a free app downloaded 12,000 times and has a 4* rating. I can't do anything about it. It always appears when people go to the page. This individual has hurt my app and me without provocation. I didn't ask anything from them. Fortunately, the following message pointed out that the 'Pointless' user was an idiot (thanks XZombie), hopefully it will negate some of the damage. We're completely at the mercy of the masses, and being a relatively new dev, it's a scary place to be!
It's a shame that the most influential party in all of this is hiding behind a wall of silence.
If you're interested - I'm keeping a track of my experience of Android development. The link is in my earlier post.
Paul
Strangemoo

Paul, I do agree with you to a point. But I'm not sure if I like about developers editing comments. But I do see what you mean about people leaving dumb comments for an app that does work.
Sent from my HTC EVO 3D using Tapatalk

Katt,
I don't suggest developers could edit comments - that would make the process equally pointless, as devs can put all of the 'nice' things they want in the description anyway. Sorry if I implied otherwise.
Devs should be able to either remove, request for removal or even block the rogue elements. At present, we have to just live with the insults with no way to disprove their claims. Even a 'troll flag' would be an improvement - to show other users that the dev disagrees with the comment.
All accountability is on the devs whereas trolls can run freely.
Do any other devs out there agree with me on this? Others may have had a much more dealings with such than I have.
Cheers,
Paul

IMO if google was smart they would allow for a limited ammount(% of total) of "submissions" of there comments to a third party(google). If they are found outlandish they can be removed.
My 2 cents lol. I can say as a dev of a few apps on the market I have gotten rediculous comments n 1 stars b4. I mean if they are justified that's a different thing entirely. But my 1 stars are disproportionally higher then the trend of the others. Which proves one thing...
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

This is an honestly great thread. Good initiative to |OP|

Taking down an app just because of a few nasty comments is just
childish and quite frankly pathetic.
Seems that developer has chucked his toys out the pram, if he does
decide to release it again who is going to trust such a developer?
I know I wouldn't use the app again, seeing as he's stuck 2 fingers up
to loyal users and the whole android community all because of a small
minority of people.
The whole thing stinks of the guy thinking he is above any kind of bad
feedback, obviously a developer that doesn't listen to the users of his
app and a developer that turns his back at the drop of a hat.
I'm sure he will be missed... Not
Ps. there are better screenshot apps out there

I agree with your comment. Though I am not a dev. I have experience working in the retail end of software. This is a I want it now society, folks forget that they got this software/app for free and as soon as they have a little issue they fly off the deep end cussing out the maker/distribitor of the product. Anyhow like you said you get what you pay for.LIke in my IT course in school my book said "check the dummy behind the keyboard" anyhow thanks for the great apps i use the time flies app.

If a dev dropped his customers because of a couple of snide comments then, yeah, I'd agree with you.
But was that the case for ShootMe?
Before we start flinging hooks around here, wouldn't it be more productive to actually find out what happened first.
I may be proven wrong here, but the guy must've been given some serious grief to take such a newsworthy action.
In fact, that's not been mentioned - it could be media storming. Drum up enough publicity and come back blazing. Only time will tell on that one.
At the end of the day, it's his property. And if he makes a lot of people unhappy that's his prerogative. The reason he's giving though are indeed a real issue the community needs to address.
The plot thickens.
(Glad you like Times Flies! You're most welcome)
Paul

I've noticed that the flavor of a community will vary a lot by device. The Captivate community seems to be generally good and helpful for the most part, but I've heard horror stories of ungratefulness and rudeness about communities around other devices. It may be the same sort of thing with different varieties of apps. If people feel like an app performs a function they deserve outright, they may be less inclined to courtesy and more inclined to selfish expectation.

[Q] Finding great developers - can you clue me in on where to locate them?

Hi, don't want to break any forum rules - but I founded a startup that now does something I think is exciting and white hot
I need very non-traditional developers that are as good at linux/kernel/networking as they are in android
Where do I look for them ?
Thanks
JD

Great developers are shy creatures, it depends on the environmental conditions and time of day for them to show up. You also have to be very quiet, you can try to increase your chances by setting up a bait.
Try using coffee, i have had good experience with that, but there are others who had good results with free tshirts.
tl:dr
There are no 'yellow pages' for that.
You can look here or in any other android developement related forum, just make a thread, but you will have to make an interesting offer.
You won't get people messaging you by just saying i'm looking for great developers ( ok you might, but those won't be the ones you are looking for).
State what you need and what you offer and why they should work for you.
Also what are "non-traditional developers"? Shaven ones with a healthy amount of sleep per night? ;p

To be honest also there are a lot of really talented devs working on the Tmobile G2X and SG2 right now, so take a loot at that

Thanks for tips Dark3n I enjoyed reading your post
To answer the question, it's kinda "if I tell you I have to kill you" syndrom, but the bait is
1. money (you can buy lots of coffee !)
2. I don't need nice windows and widgets and graphics yet, I need a bit of tcp sniffing and OS digging and dalvik VM interaction and measuring performance of activities. All of that is ethical of course.
The app will have major impact on the way big corporates can use android devices. I have been in the performance industry for many years, I know the major players and good devs have a chance to join something big right from the start
Big corporates = big money, but 1st I have to get the initial proof of concept working
Does that answer your question?

Hehe wasn't really a question, rather bait to have you improve your thread ;-).
To reach your goal you could look for apps, that do something in that field of area where you think the dev did a good job and write them an email.

Great idea, thank you
JD

are windows phones good?

I'm trying to get a windows phone and I was wondering if it was good

Welcome! Everyone has different preferences, so what one person may like/dislike may be different for you. I suggest you make a trip to a store which has some windows phones on display for you to play around with. Also, read some reviews on a few of the phones you are interested in. That may help in making your decision on a phone. Best of luck in your search!

its not bad but as the others said it boils down to personal preference, go to the store and try different os..
cheers

Windows Phones are great for the average user. But for people that pay attention to the market, id recommend waiting for Windows Phone 8 since current users wont be upgraded and will be basically crippled from further development and platform growth
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I have to say a pure phone windows phones are pretty good. Stable, easy/fast to use and do what you need but as a user said already they are dumbed down and you don't have much for freedom to customize....
To nutshell it if you want games/apps/freedom don't get a windows phone. If you want a phone that just works as a phone/social networking device have at it.
I have a wp7.5 phone and its strictly a backup handset I just can't justify losing all the freedoms and features of android.
P.s. Windows phone GPS apps suck pretty bad compared to Google maps.
Pin it to Win it.

I agree with the above two. A personal preference for sure. Is it good, yes, it makes and receives calls and a good Social Media device. Depending what your specific needs are, you have the big 3 (iOS, Android and Windows Phone) to choose from. Play with them, check out the phones in person, verify they have the apps you want to use. etc..they all work well, just choose the one that fits your needs and that is all that matters!

Great for average users and very user friendly, but nothing much man can do with it.

if you only want call, sms, surfing.. its quite good. But im an android flashaholic

Lol, no.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app

Everybody should wait for Nokia WP8 pureview phones, they will make other phones embarassing.

Maybe WP8 may bring you a lot of surprise:silly:

If you wanna get one, just go symbian for better battery life lol

hopatrickz said:
I think of windows phones as a middle between Android and iOS. Not too difficult to use but also not tooooo user-friendly that it seems dumbed down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! Not too complicated with all of the ROMs and rooting that happens with Android, and not as dumb as iOS, with those little squares on the screen that just stare at you with their dumb app logos.

Windows Phones are cool, depending on what type of user you are.
I had a hard time with the when i had my HD7, but alot has changed since then. Way more feature and apps.
Best bet for you will be to wait for the Windows Phone 8 devices, they will be great and will have SD card slot.
Good Luck:good:

.
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.

In my honest opinion, Windows Phones are extremely dull. (Well at least WP7.5)
Pros:
Unbelievably fluid
Xbox Live, kinda
Bloatware can be deleted without hacking
Great keyboard. And I mean great, after using it I tried to find a port of it for Android
Cons:
Apps in the Marketplace are waaaay overpriced
There are barely any apps, let alone good apps
Barely customizable home screen, which may appeal to others
The UI is strange, with all the slide swipes and tiles, which once again may appeal
I really missed the menu button from Android, and the search key only takes you to Bing, so unlike Android won't vary from app to app
Auto rotation support was inconsistent
Notifications we pretty crappy
That was my experience with WP7 but with WP8 a lot may change, I really do not know because I don't follow Windows Phone news.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium

App Suggestion When are you going to fix the XDA app

The absolute non structure weirdness and quite frankly appallingly terrible decision to remove actual forum sections has had an impact on everybody, not just the end user but every single person who uses XDA.
A weirdo decided to change something that needn't be changed, but went and did it anyway, they altered something that meant that you HAD to add a category otherwise your thread will literally sit in limbo without a category.
Who on earth tboght this was a good idea? It isn't, it's pitiful. The familiar development, Q+A, general, themes are GONE!
In its place is one section of threads, no order whatsoever, perhaps if they've chosen to pick a category but they don't have to, it's not mandatory??????
Whoever sanctioned this needs sectioning.
Web version rant over......
Onto the app!!!
Where can I start, I actually enjoy looking back on previous devices, why?
Because they actually are formatted and filtered correctly, you know like a FORUM!!! Like a normal forum like the billions on the internet...
For some reason that's gone, you've got a weird plethora of non negotiable threads with zero distinction besides what the title is; which again is subjective if it even has been categorised.
Beyond the absolute mentalness.
You cannot choose a category on the app.
I actually paid for the premium version of the XDA app back in the day...why?? If ever there was an advert for ripping off an awful dev, it's this, I pay for all my apps I don't do warez but this is an incentive to do the prior.
You! Soon after the elimination of the XDA premium app which wasn't like 20p it was a few quid, made an ad laden version which was worse, now it's barely usable.
What is going on?????
I'd say I'm sorry for feeling this way but it genuinely feels like a director who's face fits just got a job and he has to change something for the sake of changing it.
It's idiotic!
One senior mod actually told me that they did it to save bandwidth !!!!!
Reputations are built in years of hard work, work you've already done, yet there destroyed in seconds, with an idiotic decision, something you've just done.
No gif could describe the facepalm I wanted to convey, I can only say one word.
No..
Final thought:
XDA is an amazing place, a place I've loved for years, I've seen and met some phenomenal people, so much talent and promise, so much collaboration it makes me proud to not only be an Android enthusiast but human in general.
All you've done is give us hurdles to jump.
Get the old system back. Don't change something because it could be do it for the right reasons, if it's too be taboo then at least have a vote on it. Personally I think you'll find it's a one sided event.
The new system is abysmal and there putting it mildly.
As most parents have said to their crap kids.
"I'm not upset, I'm just disappointed"