[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
Hi...

I love Android...however, one thing I do hate, is that a LOT of Devs seem to lack any sense of style and design in the market...(also if u look at the Post ur Screens thread you see this horrible sense of design permeates throughout the user-base as well)

Anyways, I figured I'd ask you guys...what apps on the Market, that you thoroughly use do you feel have hideous and/or tacky, UIs or Icons?

Me I'll list 5:

OI File Manager....SERIOUSLY? Still using 1.1 Folder Icons? I don't think it'd take too much to sexify the app...it's useful, and is called by a lot of other apps on the market, it'd be nice if it looked good...which it does not, I know people will defend it, but no, just like Android pre 2.0, OI File Manager is absolutely hideously designed..sad for such a useful and widely called app.

DroCap2....WOW...super useful, and the in app UI is great and simple and will work with any theme...however that ugly ass icon...and the notification icon...I emailed the Dev asking to design him a new Icon with no answer...but seriously, I can't imagine someone making that and being like "Yes, THIS Icon is the business...upload it" Hopefully he eventually gets back to my email but being that it's been a month, I'mma call that unlikely...

NYC Subway Map....this one is just an icon (and I wish they'd implement the pinch to zoom API in the map simply for WOW factor) but yea...the Icon looks like a 2 second rush job to create an Android 2.0+ icon and failing miserably...it's horribly rendered, tragically mis-sized, and that sucks as that is one of my most used apps especially when I am in NYC...

APP UPDATED IN MARKET, LOOKS GREAT. Look for NYCMate brought to you by DenseBrain in collaboration with Episode 6

Root Explorer...Come ON man...From the old purple Android pre 2.0+ Folder Icon with the root on it to the hideous file cabinet with the root on it to every single icon inside the app, this is one of the UGLIEST Android Apps out there...and like the others I've listed, it is absolutely useful and simple...I bought Su File Explorer and I don't even use it because Root Explorer does everything I need, without the bloat. (I'm sure this "bloat" is needed by others but in my opinion for my needs it is bloat) But seriously, the entire design is hideous. I actually went and replaced EVERY Icon in this apk as I just couldn't bring myself to use it as it was, especially the way it clashes with both stock android 2.0, and ANY theme.

Bettercut - THIS ICON AND UI WERE HIDEOUS FROM THE GET GO...update people...seriously.

honorable mentions (Decent UIs/Icons, but eh)

Astro File Manager...I just don't like the iconset...I figured at least the most widely used file manager on Android (citation needed) would follow the Android tenets of design in a post 2.0 world...It does not...the 3/4 view Icons with the faux gloss, too much "eye candy" not enough design...love the app however (my first download before Android started auto restoring apps) but I feel the design needs to mature along with Android itself.

A LOT OF GAMES...seriously...a lot of games have the worst icons...and not even by far...simply a slight resize and maybe a border with a faux bevel and matte finish...wouldn't take a lot but I figured at least game icons can be consistent with the design tenets of the UI....they are not. usually 100% square too...sucks cause a lot of great games on Android.

Engadget for Android - HORRIBLE Icon...nuff said.

Speedtest - just change the angle on the icon...front facing would work fine. that slight 3/4 angle is just slightly pet peevish to me...

K-9 Mail...horrible Icon as well, especially for such an amazing app and great UI (well since I last used it)

Please add to this list, and don't let your love of Android stop you from being subjective.

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Rant:

Android is a great UI, and is maturing nicely, and hopefully with the UI/UX refresh planned for 3.0 it becomes attractive beyond attractive...however I noticed a lot of the best devs don't seem to have any sense of design, and having been to a developers lab in NYC I can assure you that design is the last thing on their minds (or was) judging from the business cards I saw. Post I/O 2010 I saw a fireside chat (or whatever) where they were discussing UI standards and Icon standards...and it was a good lab subtly suggesting (and REAL subtly begging) that developers start unifying the experience across apps which unfortunately is an Apple tenet (not just iPhone) and one that works...I only hope Android gets such a consistency amongst itself...with the freedom to change and theme and etc that we've come to know and love.

Sadly the iPhone is the defacto standard, and despite their systems shortcomings to me (I hate the general UI for one, sea of icons? no bueno) however I love their developers commitments to staying consistent (probably because apple has a proverbial gun to their heads) and providing a cleaner UX for the general consumer...if Android devs got this consistency...imagine our UX...It matters guys...and as much as any of you want to dislike apple overall (and I'm with you) there is still a LOT they do right...so we should do better...period

Please add to the list and feel free to share your thoughts...I already know at least one popular themer and a few others members here feel the same way...so I know it can't be just me.

OH and any "WELL JUST DON'T DOWNLOAD THE APP, ANDROID HAS

OPTIONS

DOWNLOAD A DIFFERENT APP" will not be responded to. At all...

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Youtube discussion of this via Google Developers:

http://www.youtube.com/user/googledevelopers?blend=1&ob=4#p/c/316B437F0CB82A68/3/M1ZBjlCRfz0

the Icon discussion begins at 30:24

but the rest of it is pretty interesting...so if you have the time (and skimming through it is easy to do, each relevant section is highlighted.

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DESIGNERS WILLING TO HELP

1: absolutedesignz - PM or absolutedesignz@gmail.com (add to gtalk or email)

2: commodoor - PM or commodoor@gmail.com

3: JCopernicus - PM or Twitter @JCopernicus

4: OrganizedFellow - PM or OrganizedFellow@gmail.com

5: x986123 - PM or kovalmaxim@yahoo.com / kovalmaxim94@gmail.com

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Devs, if you are creating an app, and come across this thread, and feel you need a designer, do not hesitate to hit up any of the people listed