News
Google Updates Material Design Specs for Android Apps
- By David Ramel
- August 30, 2016
With the brand-new Android Nougat 7.0 OS rolling out now to phones, Google has published new updates to its Material Design specs for Android app development. Included in the August update are revised notifications, new widgets, upgraded navigation and more.
Material Design is "a visual language for our users that synthesizes the classic principles of good design with the innovation and possibility of technology and science."
The goal of Material Design as explained by Google is to "Develop a single underlying system that allows for a unified experience across platforms and device sizes. Mobile precepts are fundamental, but touch, voice, mouse and keyboard are all first-class input methods."
The approach is based on three principles: material is the metaphor; it's bold, graphic and intentional; and motion provides meaning.
The specs feature new sections including:
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Notifications have been revised for Android N, including new content areas, interactions, user controls, and short text input.
- Widgets contains guidance on user engagement, retention and acquisition.
- Confirming and acknowledging covers when and how to acknowledge to user actions.
Those are in addition to updates that include:
- Navigation now includes details on how to use the Up and Back buttons as part of a navigation strategy.
- Using full-screen mode for Lean Back, Immersive mode, and Lights out interactions.
About the Author
David Ramel is an editor and writer for Converge360.