Design and Developing Games Exclusively for Android Devices and Tablets
  • 0

Google Android 4.0 aka Ice Cream Sandwich Review

Saturday, 21 January 2012 00:55

T-Mobile quietly released Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) 12-18-2011 for my Google Nexus S [Unlocked]. I’ve read a few reviews on dedicated android sites I visit frequently, but none really seemed to touch upon the revamped user interface. Some really think its awesome so I need to chime in cause there is not so much awesome anymore. I’m a developer and designer for Google Android.

Ever since Google released the HTC G1 on T-Mobile I’ve been hooked. I knew immediately this was my phone of choice and platform I’d like to prototype, design, and develop for going forward. This is my review from a user perspective, from a dev perspective I love what they’ve done.

Cannot long press on Home Screen to place widgets

This was a great user experience and easy way to add shortcuts and widgets etc.. Now you have to “Tap Apps Icon > Tap Widgets Tab > Tab Widget > Drag and Drop Widget to a Home Screen.” That gets a big WTF from me. If I’m already on the screen I want to put a widget on then why the fuck do I have to tap Apps icon to access widgets? Seen the new Tron movie and where the UI dude gets jacked cause the OS was released for free? Feels like some new user experience designer lead got hired on the android team and fucked some shit up and had no idea about previous user experiences in earlier versions. I’m surprised they didnt have a Beta program for users to experience the new workflows and redesign. They need to add my ass in there next time, I’ll tell them how it is..cause from a user perspective this kind of stuff really frustrates me. I think about all the older generations just learning Android and then Google drops the A-bomb on them with a completely re-designed OS with removed functionality.

Google Search Widget is a link that launches a “search” app

I liked the old widget that popped the text editor up in first tap or if you tap the microphone icon you could immediately start talking, but noooo not with the updated widget. The design got cleaner, but lost functionality since you have to wait for an app to load.

Placing Confirmation / Action buttons at top of screen

Another big WTF!! From Android 1.0 confirmation and action buttons like “Enter” or “Submit” or “Done” would be at the bottom of the form you fill out. They have been reversed. Old users should be warned about this change, but google would rather force the change upon the user and let them sort it out.

Input/Button Redesigns

You’ll find yourself scrolling down to the bottom and not finding the button then realizing the button is not a button, but a small and I mean small slanted arrow which determines the textfield to the left of the small arrow is a button. Note in the image above there is inconsistency with buttons at bottom with large text and buttons on top with small ass arrows.

Music App Redesign

Ever tried driving and changing music via bluetooth on your phone? Yes? We’ll you might as well pull over and put money in the meter cause your going to be diving through menu options and wondering WTF is a button or just a Title. I can understand the challenge about designing a User Interface across devices, but this is insanity and you can clearly tell the priority for google with Android 4.0 is a device like a Tablet or TV. The phone re-design ultimately became a 3rd class citizen in this round of updates.

Google Maps Redesign

Another WTF. Removal of + to Zoom in and – to Zoom out, really!? Might as well pull your ass over to muck with Maps. You’ll need to use two fingers and another hand or Cradle to hold the device while browsing the new nested menus. Seriously more nested menus and small icons? This app also is infected with the bad User Interface widgets like the new Button design.

Integrated Web Browser

Holy WTF!?! To access Windows that you previously opened you have to scroll all the back up the page you are browsing just to switch Windows. Wow, you would imagine tapping the List option and see Windows option there, but nope you gotta go all the way back up to access windows.

Back Button update

Long pressing any buttons now shows a label at bottom of device and the name of the button you are about to push. Its not cool if you have cold fingers cause you’ll find yourself tapping multiple times and realizing the email did not send because you did not have User Experience Designer fingers that can tap quickly and miss the initial push state that triggers a label. There ya go, I’ll add more notes as I get more frustrated and also post some positives. :D

Played in SF Safari Disc Golf Tournament

Tuesday, 26 July 2011 16:02

Participated in the San Francisco Disc Golf Safari 2011 July 23/24th and what an amazing event! Happy people everywhere anxious to either play or get involved somehow or simply spectating.. I joined the PRO class and lost miserably, but had enough positive energy to have a good time and enjoyed playing with people that played Disc Golf professionally and locally at the course in Marx Meadows / Golden Gate Park. (25th/Fulton).

The second day I got there as early as I did the first day and didnt realize pro class was playing in the afternoon. I volunteered and spotted hole 19 and was happy I helped out. Many people really appreciate a spotter and I got some recognition for helping out which was cool. Lots of players thank you as well, its a good way to meet other players and have fun all at the same time. In this case, you get to enjoy Golden Gate Park an all it has to offer. :)

I’d highly recommend anyone available to attend next year and volunteer. While players are throwing discs all over the place there is simply not enough people to help spot where the discs land.

Lessons learned from playing in the Safari
  • Be in your natural setting
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Fold up chair is wise, but more to carry
  • Be prepared to play 75 holes or more in two days
Here is a video I found from 2007 Safari. If you play Disc Golf and live in San Francisco, I encourage you to help out the community/course and TD the weekly every now and then. If not then the Weekly Tournaments get canceled.  

Launched Space Rings 3D!

Friday, 22 July 2011 16:01

We or shall I say Tribaloid launched Space Rings 3D on Android Market, Friday, July 22nd. Space Rings supports Android 2.2 and allows you to control movement by moving the device around on a virtual center point.

The game was developed primarily in Java using OpenGL and LibGDX for a 3D Engine. There are 10 Galactic Levels to challenge yourself with by gliding through the galaxies passing through Space Rings collecting points and gaining Power-ups to beat the clock!

 

  Check out Tribaloid for more information!

Rotator One

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 15:12
Design and Developing Games Exclusively for Android Devices and Tablets