Less buttons - more touchy touchy Android Developers are being reminded by Google to shift their attention away from the Menu button and focus instead on the Action Bar.
The Menu button function is commonplace in pre-3.0 versions of Google's Android operating system. It allows users to view options for a particular application by pressing the Menu button on their device.
With the introduction of Honeycomb (version 3.0) and now Ice Cream Sandwich (version 4.0) the function has become redundant as these operating systems remove the need for physical buttons.
All change pleaseThis year we expect to see a new wave of devices running Ice Cream Sandwich, so developers need to make sure they update their apps to use the Action Bar.
Developers need to follow the new Android user experience as many Android devices are expected in 2012 to feature button free designs.
Apps will continue to work on the new software, with Google building an action overflow button which acts as the menu button.
The action overflow button will display on all applications which have not been updated to Android 3.0+, even if they do not require it.
Are you all for button free devices, or will you be pining for your menu, home and back buttons?
From Android Developers Tags: Google, Android, Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 3.0, HoneycombTweetreddit!StumbleuponComment on this article Your comments (4) Click to add a new commentpotts4. Moving from the long lasting buttons on Nokia's, insisted my first touch-screen phone (HTC Desire) should have physical buttons, but they wore out and became a struggle while I waited for a decent spec phone with touch-sensitive buttons. I've used a Pre 3 and various tablets, which make use to gesture areas around the screen, including one that doesn't and suffers in comparison from a lack of buttons.
If the interface is well designed and accounts for legacy apps, it really doesn't matter unless you're resistant to change.
Alert a moderatorsimon_m3. I rather like having real buttons - but they do wear out over time, becoming vague and often chipped/scratched, so I guess this is a good idea. This also maximises available screen real estate for fullscreen applications, but how do you exit them without buttons if it's truly full-screen?
Alert a moderatorchaoticqa2. I love having a (physical) Back, Menu and Home button but as mentioned by Bradavon, if the experience is better then shemone people.
Alert a moderatorbradavon1. I don't care either way. They're just buttons and if it makes the experience better, I'm all for it.
Alert a moderator Tell us what you thinkYou need to Log in or register to post comments By submitting this form you agree to our Terms of Use and so are legally responsible for anything you submit. DO NOT submit anything which may violate the Terms of Use or another person's rights including copyrighted or offensive materials.
Submit Explore News Mobile phonesVoIPOther phones Related News Google Music intros complete library downloadsLogitech officially out of Google TV gameBBC News app comes to Honeycomb tabletsAndroid tablets eating into iPad dominanceIBM and HTC combine to bring Android to businesses Related Reviews Android 4.0: Ice Cream SandwichAndroid 3.0 (Honeycomb)Google Earth 6 
Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich review Is this the tastiest release from Google yet?
Phones@TechRadarOur guide to the best new mobile phones:
LatestGalaxy NexusOrange San Francisco 2HTC TitanMoto RazrHTC RadarGalaxy NoteCurve 9360HTC ExplorerWave 3Sensation XEXperia Arc SCurve 9300Xperia Mini ProGalaxy YTop ratedGalaxy S2iPhone 4SNokia LumiaHTC Desire HDHTC SensationGalaxy AceiPhone 4Incredible SHTC WildfireGalaxy EuropaXperia MiniHTC Desire SHTC Wildfire SiPhone 3GSCompare tariffsSearch all dealsContractPAYGGalaxy S2iPhone 4SHTC SensationiPhone 4HTC Desire HDGalaxy SHTC Desire SGalaxy AceHTC Wildfire S
Plus
iPhone 5Mobile phone reviewsBest phonesBest Android phoneMore
20 best mobile phones in the world todayTop mobile phones compared: what phone is best for you?
Find a review
Best phones for music 2012Which are the top music phones around for sound?
Get more from TechRadar 20 best mobile phones in the world todayiPad 3 rumours: what you need to knowHands on: Motorola Droid 4 reviewiPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know12 best Blu-ray players in the UK 2012iPhone 4SSamsung Galaxy NexusNokia Lumia 800Amazon Kindle FireSamsung Galaxy NoteNikon V1HTC RadarNikon J1iPhone 3GSHTC SensationSamsung Galaxy AceHTC Wildfire S 
Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewedOur one stop spot for all our new mobile phone reviews
TechRadar PollHow much would you spend on 42" OLED TV?
£5,000+£4,000+£3,000+£2,000+£1,000+Under £1,000I don't want an OLED TVVote Results 
Best Android phone - which should you buy?Top 10 best Android phones compared
Where am I?Technology NewsTech newsApple newsMobile phone newsTablet newsTV newsCamera newsPC component newsPC newsLaptop newsInternet newsGadget newsGaming newsHome cinema newsHi-fi newsTechnology ReviewsDigital camera reviewsCamcorder reviewsMobile phone reviewsMP3 and iPod reviewsNetworking reviewsPC reviewsPC component reviewsLaptop reviewsTablet reviewsTV reviewsBlu-ray reviewsHi-fi reviewsTechRadarAbout usContact usSitemapReport this pageAccessibilityMedia enquiriesTerms and conditionsPrivacy policyAdvertising enquiriesJobsMore from TechRadarRegister & email newsletterFacebookTwitterYouTubeRSS feedsForumsPhone dealsSell your old mobileTechRadar Network3D RadarTap! magazineMacFormat magazinePC Format magazinePC Plus magazineLinux Format magazine
Copyright 2006 - 2011 Future Publishing Limited,
30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2BW, United Kingdom
England and Wales company registration number 2008885
