Re:Microsoft Is Writing Checks to Fill Out Its App Store
by bmelton on Thursday April 05, 2012 @11:38PM
(#3805879)
It's interesting you bring that up, as my Xbox and ICS Galaxy S started somewhat converging on a boxy layout style at around the same time not long ago.
While I am obviously biased, I feel like the changes were a big UI improvement in Android, as, while the layouts are definitely boxy, they fit together well, and do a great job of highlighting action items and guiding my interactions.
On my Xbox, I've found that it often leads to extra clicks being necessary where they weren't before. I quit questioning the design decisions when I (not too irrationally) concluded that they must have done it to assist with Kinect users, dragging a large virtual hand around the screen... that is, until you posted those screenshots, and the layout really, really looks about as busted as it does on the Xbox.
It's somewhat visually appealing, and while I think that, generally, it still looks like a better alternative to the usual Microsoftian clutter, it's definitely a long way from being good (IMHO).
While I am obviously biased, I feel like the changes were a big UI improvement in Android, as, while the layouts are definitely boxy, they fit together well, and do a great job of highlighting action items and guiding my interactions.
On my Xbox, I've found that it often leads to extra clicks being necessary where they weren't before. I quit questioning the design decisions when I (not too irrationally) concluded that they must have done it to assist with Kinect users, dragging a large virtual hand around the screen... that is, until you posted those screenshots, and the layout really, really looks about as busted as it does on the Xbox.
It's somewhat visually appealing, and while I think that, generally, it still looks like a better alternative to the usual Microsoftian clutter, it's definitely a long way from being good (IMHO).