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Extremely. It's not so much that the iOS devices are prettier - although their UX simplicity is hard to argue with - but that Android's extra power and flexibil

by benwerd 14y ago

Extremely. It's not so much that the iOS devices are prettier - although their UX simplicity is hard to argue with - but that Android's extra power and flexibility also comes with more interface complexity. People find it hard. To the point that my parents and girlfriend all have trouble placing phone calls with my Galaxy S2. I still love it, but it's got a way to go.

rahoulb 14y ago
It's not just the stock apps - there is a culture amongst Apple 3rd party developers to discuss, refine and push design and interaction forwards. The only time I've seen it amongst Android devs is for that alarm clock app [1], whereas it's a regular talking point about iOS apps (the latest being Paper discussing their colour-picker [2]). [1] http://dewith.com/2012/an-android-design-process/ http://dewith.com/2012/an-android-design-process/ [2] http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/31/3578672/paper-1-3-color-pogo-connect http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/31/3578672/paper-1-3-color-p...
- fpgeek 14y ago
  http://www.androiduipatterns.com/ http://www.androiduipatterns.com/ Granted, the community is smaller and the starting point is substantially lower (e.g. getting developers of iOS ports to read the Android design guidelines in the first place), but it is the same kind of culture.
- king_jester 14y ago
  There's been a lot more activity lately about app design and quality in the Android community. Google esp. has made a big push to start talking about these things in accessible formats, the most notable format being live streams, G+ hangouts, and youtube archives of said streams and hangouts: http://www.youtube.com/user/androiddevelopers http://www.youtube.com/user/androiddevelopers Things aren't perfect, but things are getting better and we are starting to see a community come together that wants strong, high quality design.
jsight 14y ago
Do they use iPhones? I'm not really sure how placing a call is harder on a SGS2 than on iOS.
- leviathant 14y ago
  I really have no dog in this fight, but placing phone calls consist of about 1% of what I use my smartphone for.
lucian1900 14y ago
Interestingly, it took me a while to figure out how to call a contact from a friend's iPhone.
Tyrannosaurs 14y ago
I agree, I think it's got to the point now that it's a choice between two visions rather than better and worse. When I use Android it feels like it puts a lot of flexibility and choice in my hands, that I can probably do more with it that I can with iOS but that there's additional work involved in that, both in that customisation but also the small amount of additional drag that comes with the additional choices available. When I use iOS it feels like there's more simplicity but if I don't like that simplicity then tough. Don't like the iPhone? Tough. Want better integration between apps and services? Tough. Personally my position right now is that I want iOS (I have kids, a job, a house and a million other things that take time and I have no additional bandwidth to invest in getting something just so, even if there would be benefit in doing so). Ten years ago that wouldn't have been the case and I'd have found Android a more compelling choice and would have revelled in the flexibility, the handset options and everything else. But overall that choice seems good for all of us. Better two visions offering genuine options than two identakit versions of the same thing, or worse still one monopoly player and no choice.

by benwerd 14y ago

rahoulb 14y ago

It's not just the stock apps - there is a culture amongst Apple 3rd party developers to discuss, refine and push design and interaction forwards. The only time I've seen it amongst Android devs is for that alarm clock app [1], whereas it's a regular talking point about iOS apps (the latest being Paper discussing their colour-picker [2]). [1] http://dewith.com/2012/an-android-design-process/ http://dewith.com/2012/an-android-design-process/ [2] http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/31/3578672/paper-1-3-color-pogo-connect http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/31/3578672/paper-1-3-color-p...

fpgeek 14y ago
http://www.androiduipatterns.com/ http://www.androiduipatterns.com/ Granted, the community is smaller and the starting point is substantially lower (e.g. getting developers of iOS ports to read the Android design guidelines in the first place), but it is the same kind of culture.
king_jester 14y ago
There's been a lot more activity lately about app design and quality in the Android community. Google esp. has made a big push to start talking about these things in accessible formats, the most notable format being live streams, G+ hangouts, and youtube archives of said streams and hangouts: http://www.youtube.com/user/androiddevelopers http://www.youtube.com/user/androiddevelopers Things aren't perfect, but things are getting better and we are starting to see a community come together that wants strong, high quality design.

jsight 14y ago

Do they use iPhones? I'm not really sure how placing a call is harder on a SGS2 than on iOS.

leviathant 14y ago
I really have no dog in this fight, but placing phone calls consist of about 1% of what I use my smartphone for.

lucian1900 14y ago

Interestingly, it took me a while to figure out how to call a contact from a friend's iPhone.

Tyrannosaurs 14y ago

I agree, I think it's got to the point now that it's a choice between two visions rather than better and worse. When I use Android it feels like it puts a lot of flexibility and choice in my hands, that I can probably do more with it that I can with iOS but that there's additional work involved in that, both in that customisation but also the small amount of additional drag that comes with the additional choices available. When I use iOS it feels like there's more simplicity but if I don't like that simplicity then tough. Don't like the iPhone? Tough. Want better integration between apps and services? Tough. Personally my position right now is that I want iOS (I have kids, a job, a house and a million other things that take time and I have no additional bandwidth to invest in getting something just so, even if there would be benefit in doing so). Ten years ago that wouldn't have been the case and I'd have found Android a more compelling choice and would have revelled in the flexibility, the handset options and everything else. But overall that choice seems good for all of us. Better two visions offering genuine options than two identakit versions of the same thing, or worse still one monopoly player and no choice.