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Getting to know Android 4.1, Part 1 - The Basics

75 points| wallflower | 13 years ago |androidpolice.com | reply

15 comments

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[+] thechut|13 years ago|reply
I've got Jelly Bean running on my GNex and I think the new UI is much nicer. This review spends a lot of time nitpicking the buttons, and the blown up pictures do make them look a little off. But I don't notice it all when using the phone.

In my opinion this review leaves out the best new parts of Jelly Bean. The notifications pull down has changed to show better previews of text or email messages. Including showing previews of both messages if you have more than one. The overall look and feel of the notification UI (and integration with the cards) is also much better.

This review also doesn't spend much time talking about the new cards system. It took me a few days to integrate it into my workflow but its really nice, especially the integration with Google Places. I basically see cards as a more refined UI to Google search results.

Just my two cents, overall Jelly Bean is a good improvement to Android and continues Google's goal to unify the Android UI.

[+] radley|13 years ago|reply
It is "Part 1 - The Basics"...
[+] jsz0|13 years ago|reply
Glad they fixed the icon height inconsistency issue. That bothered me a lot more than it should have. I always look at little problems like that as kind of a proxy for the rest of the system I can't see. So some random app force closes and I'm thinking 'this is because the parts I can't see are just as sloppy as the parts I can see' I totally realize that's not a fair assumption to make but I can't help it.

EDIT: Never-mind. Scrolled down in the article and realized they didn't actually fix it. I can't see how this could take someone more than a couple hours to fix. Come on guys.

[+] THE_PUN_STOPS|13 years ago|reply
> I can't see how this could take someone more than a couple hours to fix.

This is what kills me about the icon consistency thing. All it would take is a single Googler with Photoshop a single day to fix.

[+] RivieraKid|13 years ago|reply
> and I'm thinking 'this is because the parts I can't see are just as sloppy as the parts I can see' I totally realize that's not a fair assumption to make but I can't help it

It's very accurate assumption in my experience.

[+] ricardobeat|13 years ago|reply
Why is it that they keep messing with the interface? It changes significantly even in minor version bumps. I think that goes to say why iOS usually feels much more polished. I can't imagine having my lock screen and UI colors change every couple months.
[+] adhipg|13 years ago|reply
This is not a minor version bump but a proper new version - just that their version numbering hasn't increased by an integer point.

I believe their version numbering is in decimals to ensure that this upgrade looks like a tick-tock upgrade.

[+] THE_PUN_STOPS|13 years ago|reply
If only we could get the new versions "every couple months." Many Android users will never see this updated UI on their device.
[+] radley|13 years ago|reply
Few Android users keep the default backgrounds so it's only natural for Google to change too. It also makes it easy to see that it's new and different.
[+] rzeligzon|13 years ago|reply
Remember @thechut this is only part one. They'll probably go over the features you had mentioned. I think they did a fine job of analyzing the design and pixels, although i didnt notice the issues initially im glad they provide a second set of eyes.