Android Interface

Android's user interface is based on direct
manipulation , [48] using touch inputs that
loosely correspond to real-world actions, like
swiping, tapping, pinching and reverse
pinching to manipulate on-screen objects. [48]
The response to user input is designed to be
immediate and provides a fluid touch
interface, often using the vibration
capabilities of the device to provide haptic
feedback to the user. Internal hardware such
as accelerometers , gyroscopes and proximity
sensors [49] are used by some applications to
respond to additional user actions, for
example adjusting the screen from portrait to
landscape depending on how the device is
oriented, or allowing the user to steer a
vehicle in a racing game by rotating the
device, simulating control of a steering wheel.
[50]
Android devices boot to the homescreen, the
primary navigation and information point on
the device, which is similar to the desktop
found on PCs. Android homescreens are
typically made up of app icons and widgets ;
app icons launch the associated app, whereas
widgets display live, auto-updating content
such as the weather forecast, the user's
email inbox, or a news ticker directly on the
homescreen. [51] A homescreen may be made
up of several pages that the user can swipe
back and forth between, though Android's
homescreen interface is heavily customisable,
allowing the user to adjust the look and feel
of the device to their tastes. [52] Third-party
apps available on Google Play and other app
stores can extensively re- theme the
homescreen, and even mimic the look of
other operating systems, such as Windows
Phone .[53] Most manufacturers, and some
wireless carriers , customise the look and feel
of their Android devices to differentiate
themselves from their competitors. [54]
Present along the top of the screen is a
status bar, showing information about the
device and its connectivity. This status bar
can be "pulled" down to reveal a notification
screen where apps display important
information or updates, such as a newly
received email or SMS text, in a way that
does not immediately interrupt or
inconvenience the user.[55] In early versions
of Android these notifications could be
tapped to open the relevant app, but recent
updates have provided enhanced
functionality, such as the ability to call a
number back directly from the missed call
notification without having to open the dialer
app first. [56] Notifications are persistent until
read or dismissed by the user.