Holiday Gift Guide »

Android 3.0 won’t require any physical buttons

Categories: Android
By: , IntoMobile
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 6:16 AM

Only few days after the Gingerbread release, folks have already started talking about Android 3.0 Honeycomb. The details are popping all around the Interweb, usually mentioning tablet computers, most notably Motorola Stingray.

We have another news item to add to the pile. From what we’ve heard, Honeycomb won’t require any physical buttons. Forget home, back, menu and whatnot – all options will be available right on the screen, following the device’s orientation.

The main idea is that users feel “natural” when using their devices (tablets) in all positions. Moreover, the addition of small and always accessible main buttons (that’s links actually) should bring the desktop-like look and feel. Not sure that’s the point, but what do I know. I love physical buttons, but since I also dig huge screens – I do understand something’s gotta give.

Of course, Honeycomb will still sing along physical (and capacitive) buttons, leaving it up to handset and tablet makers to decide whether to use them or not.

[Via: PhoneDog]

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

  • http://twitter.com/tsahil Tsahi Levent-Levi

    Dusan,

    I wish Android phones had physical dial and drop buttons.
    Oh, and it would have been great to have those weird 10 digits as physical buttons as well – it would make Android devices — phones.

    Tsahi

  • http://twitter.com/tsahil Tsahi Levent-Levi

    Dusan,

    I wish Android phones had physical dial and drop buttons.
    Oh, and it would have been great to have those weird 10 digits as physical buttons as well – it would make Android devices — phones.

    Tsahi

  • http://twitter.com/tsahil Tsahi Levent-Levi

    Dusan,

    I wish Android phones had physical dial and drop buttons.
    Oh, and it would have been great to have those weird 10 digits as physical buttons as well – it would make Android devices — phones.

    Tsahi

  • dude

    the buttons add needed abilities… The home button is great and that is all that the I phone has. However a dedicated hang up button on the base of the phone is very useful (as was on the G1). Would a home computer be better with fewer buttons? No and the one button model given by the iphone doesn’t work for everyone, especially me!

  • dude

    the buttons add needed abilities… The home button is great and that is all that the I phone has. However a dedicated hang up button on the base of the phone is very useful (as was on the G1). Would a home computer be better with fewer buttons? No and the one button model given by the iphone doesn’t work for everyone, especially me!