We’ve seen some pretty interesting custom user interfaces for Android before, but the latest skin from Japan’s KDDI Infobar handset line shows a UI that may look a bit familiar. The handsets feature a Windows Phone 7 like UI, but offers up customization options Microsoft only wishes it would have thought up. They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but what does it mean when the imitation is significantly better than the original?
The Windows Phone 7 similarities are immediately noticeable, with live tiles throughout the UI. You can rearrange these tiles just like you would with WP7, but this custom UI running on top of Android 2.3 will allow you to resize the tile, and allow it to act as a widget. The widget will show more relevant information for the application, so instead of a link to the weather application, you’ll see the actual forecast right on your homescreen.
Customization doesn’t stop there, though. You can add different sections to the screen, and add relevant applications to them. These “sections” can be minimized into bars (hence, Infobar), so you only have to look at the content you want to at any given time. Just like Windows Phone 7, you’ll able to theme the look and feel of the home tiles, but with many more options to choose from.
Infobar also looks to offer the standard Android homescreen by swiping the screen. The video demos a live wallpaper, and we wouldn’t be surprised if using Infobar is optional. Either way, the Android skin looks to be a step up from Windows Phone 7 in terms of functionality, as well as just being more fun to use. While we probably won’t see these handsets hit the states, we could see the skin ripped from the devices and ported over.
Check out the video below, and tell us what you think of the skin in the comments!
[Via:PaidContent]