Android Tab Rant

So I’ve been trying out an Android phone for a couple of weeks now (ADP1), and it’s not a bad device. I’d heard grumbling about it, so I was pleasantly surprised. I like the physical keyboard much better than the Palm Pre’s or the Nokia E75’s.

My biggest complaint is a software one, and a UI one at that. I don’t like the standard Tabs. I’ve seen other rants about the Tabs on Android, but I don’t really mind the huge, blocky, drab look. It kind of goes along with the clunk Android buttons and fits the whole utilitarian, unapologetically, non-sexy Android vibe.

I don’t like the placement of the built-in Android tabs, specifically how they’re on the top of the screen. Sure you can roll your own, but a lot of apps use the standard tabs.

Even Androids Get the Blues

It’s not like I have sausage fingers either. I have fairly large hands, but it’s still a cumbersome move to reach a top left tab with my thumb when operating the phone one-handed. Maybe the Android team has freakish, Uma Thurman-like thumbs. When using an app with tabs on top, I usually end up switching to holding the phone in my left hand and using my right index finger.

I definitely lean toward tabs on the bottom of the screen (as well as on-screen buttons). It puts most of the primary actions close to the physical buttons (menu, home, back, etc.) Plus it keeps your thumb from blocking you from seeing things happening on the screen.

The HTC Hero got many things right. One thing I especially like is how they do their tabs.

So when it came time to do the UI for an Android app that I’m working on (Practice Speaking English, below right), I decided to screw the standard tabs and emulate the HTC tabs (below left). (as well as iPhone tabs too)