Google Makes It Clear To OEMs; No Android 3.0 Honeycomb UI Customization For Now
Google has stated for sometime that they would focus more on the UI elements of Android and eliminate the need for many OEM UI customizations. With Android 3.0 Honeycomb the tablet version of the OS the UI has received a major revamp, and has an elegant 3D interface that stays consistent throughout.
At a recent event in Germany an LG spokesperson let the news out that Google has told OEMs that changes to the GUI in Android 3.0 are strictly prohibited at this time.
Isn’t Android Customization A Key To Its Success?
UI customizations are the main instrument OEMs use to differentiate their products Motorola has MotoBlur, HTC has Sense, and Samsung uses its TouchWiz UI. The problem with the custom skins is that it slows down the update process by a considerable amount of time, whereas stock devices can update as soon as the update is released to market. The lag in updates has compounded what many consider to be Android biggest flaw and that is fragmentation of the ecosystem.
Google is taking its entry into the tablet market very seriously and realizes the importance of starting off right and leaving a good first impression. They also want to establish Honeycomb as platform in the market as the strength of the OS is in the hands of the development community. Developers just recently began to develop for the platform and as Google updates the OS they want the entire platform to update as well thus eliminating fragmentation.
How Long Will The Android Customization Ban On Honeycomb Last
Google has not put out a timeline for their ban understandably. Although this is a positive for the consumer who can have a stock device and receive the many updates that Honeycomb will receive during its early stages, it causes problems for OEMs like Samsung who already has introduced a UI into their New Galaxy Tabs.
This is a new approach as Google has notoriously taken a very limited role in how the Manufacturers implement their own ideas into the OS. Hopefully the new approach leads to a tablet market that no longer has to worry about fragmentation. Consumers should not have to base their decision on which manufacturer is more likely to receive timely updates.
How do you feel about Google’s new policy regarding Android Customization of Honeycomb? Will it benefit users? Does it hurt OEMs? Let us know in the comment area below?
Category: Tablets
Ban custom UI's across the board!
[...] Clear To OEMs; No Android 3.0 Honeycomb UI Customization For Nowsubmitted by givequicheachance [link] [6 comments]PostedMarch 25th, 2011Filed Android RedditNo CommentsLeave a Comment Click here to [...]
I say that is my huge pet peeve with android this whole issue of fragmentation. I have refused to purchase a new device since my nexus one receives updates still before newer devices.
It doesn't hurt OEMs in the least. If the average person is going to buy an Android tablet, they're going to, regardless of whether it has a UI or not. In fact, this only helps in two ways: 1) it helps to eliminate fragmentation, a bad word to people who are considering purshasing said tablet; and 2) it gives those who want a vanilla experience or the ability to modify their own experience without having to put up with (horrible) UIs and delays in updates.
I agree and before this announcement I was resigned to only get a stock tablet.
[...] system for the majority of their handsets. This does help reduce Android fragmentation. Source Androidheadlines via reddit Pictured Samsung Touchhwiz UX for Honeycomb from Engadget Huawei Ideos S7-104 on [...]
[...] Androidheadlines via reddit Pictured Samsung Touchhwiz UX for Honeycomb from [...]
Finally. Let's see an updated compatibility document that restricts these full OS customizations.
The power to choose and to customize should ultimately be in the hands of the users not the manufacturers.
I agree it should be in the control of the user to decide their interface, no changes that effect upgrade times should be implemeted.
Don't the Samsung tabs have touchwiz on Honeycomb?
They do and hopefully they are removed and made optional as a samsung download
[...] Androidheadlines via reddit Pictured Samsung Touchhwiz UX for Honeycomb from [...]
I love the idea just like Apple, this is the way to go. btw I invented the app store.
Oh really?
[...] Androidheadlines via reddit Pictured Samsung Touchhwiz UX for Honeycomb from [...]
[...] itching for some Honeycomb, and it may seem they have had their wishes granted. But, according to some reports, a full pure Honeycomb experience might still be somewhere in the future. So hopefully [...]
This is F up… how is any of the OEM's going to differentiate? Google standard UI is so dated… I dont believe this will last long.
You think that the Honeycomb UI is already dated?
[...] being made public. This corresponds to a report we made earlier that an LG executive told media that no Honeycomb UI changes are going to be allowed in the immediate future. The plan is not to take away differentiation [...]