Google Android UI Possibilities

The Google System Blog lists some of the hardware that is supported by Google’s Android SDK:

* Application framework enabling reuse and replacement of components
* Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile devices
* Integrated browser based on the open source WebKit engine
* Optimized graphics powered by a custom 2D graphics library; 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification (hardware acceleration optional)
* QLite for structured data storage
* Media support for common audio, video, and still image formats (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, GIF)
* GSM Telephony (hardware dependent)
* Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi (hardware dependent)
* Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer (hardware dependent)
* Rich development environment including a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, and a plugin for the Eclipse IDE

When you look at the hardware on a fully-optioned phone, you get an opportunity to rival the iPhone interface (let’s be honest, that’s what’s sexy). I’m particularly thinking of the ability to run a server on the device, and the possibilities to tie in location, hand-movements, speed, time, directionality, and context (based on previous use) into the interface.

Contemplate a phone that knows what applications to switch to based on its orientation (using the accelerometer, compass, and GPS):

* Flat on a desk, possible a screensaver with your calendar and clock.
* In your pocket, going to sleep and functioning as a pedometer.
* When transitioning up to your face - recent calls and context sensitive phone book - for example, restaurants at lunchtime, things to do based on a combination of GPS and webservices in your area.
* When looking at a map in front of you, holding the device tricorder-style, it could display geographic information, rendered via Google Earth (as a mobile service) along with data mashed up such as coupon codes, events, other OpenSocial users, and location relevant facts or trivia, in a pop-up video sort of way. Think ‘this day in history’, ‘on this spot’, and ‘happening near you right now’ type messages.
* In browsing the interface, touch and multi-touch screens and interfaces seem to be the new hotness. But peoples interactions with game consoles, console games such as Rockband and Guitar Hero, and the Wii point to a further use of telematics as well. Imagine being able to scroll up or down by tilting the device on a horizontal axis, or browsing a map by tilting device along the vertical and horizontal axis. Or changing interfaces based on ’shaking’ the phone.

The biggest opportunity with mobile phone interfaces, which are actually the things we come to love and hate, is in helping us do things we didn’t know we could do.

I recall, again, when selling cars that most cars had all of the same features, but the clueless salespeople didn’t know how to present them. A sly salesperson can present them, build value in their product, and advance an implication that their product has those features, while the competitors do not. Things along these lines might be power window switches that accommodate long fingernails, or pickup trucks having door handles that are big enough for a man to open wearing gloves. Even simple things, like having the fuel gauge on the same on the same side as the fuel filler door escape the attention of the average salesperson (and the customer). But, if you give them something, especially information they didn’t think they would need, and present it as being part of a product thoughtfully designed for them, especially as part of a customized presentation, you build value in your product.

Very few people use their phones beyond making phone calls. Even the lowest of cell phones now has the ability to function as a voice recorder (for memos), a calculator, personal contact manager, calendar, alarm clock, times, currency or measurement converter, or email device. But since people don’t regularly read the manuals, or explore their phone’s interface, these features go undiscovered.

It seems to me that a device that delivers you what you need or find useful, even if you don’t know it yet, would earn undying love and loyalty. The unique mix of hardware and software that may be available in Android phones, as well as the creativity in Google and the open source developer community, present an opportunity that up to now was only tackled by Apple.