Android3: Honeycomb Tablet U.I.

Phandroid's " in depth look at what's new in the latest version of Android, Honeycomb, direct from Verizon's 2011 CES keynote presentation."


The walk-through explains some of the user-interface specific for this tablet version of android. For a start no hardware buttons are required such as back and menu etc. giving flexibility for any key configuration.  The software therefore functions in any orientation and reduces the dependence on manufacturers to provide the experience, a shortcoming in the Galaxy S.
Honeycomb develops the widgets allowing most things to be done without even opening an app. These include viewing the latest YouTube hits, checking email, viewing your calendar or selecting a bookmark from your favourites list, all on the home screens.

A Honeycomb homescreen

The look of honeycomb is "futuristic but familiar". Appearing as a 3D interface, controlled by gestures where details "res-in when you need it and de-res when you don't". Personalisation and of the device is easier with the use of a customisation view.

Honeycomb customisation view

The customisation view displays your five home screens as well as providing a pallet where you can preview all of your widgets, app shortcuts, wallpapers and more. These are simply dragged to the desired position.


Also demonstrated was a new look YouTube and the new vector based Google Maps with 3D buildings you can tilt and pan around. Honeycomb versions of browser with tabs "as nature intended" and Gmail app which improve the clarity and control of data we sift through daily. 




images thanks to Droid X Plaza