I find it really upsetting that all of these new phones like the galaxy s 3 and the optimus G still continue to go with a menu key, when clearly the android 4.0+ software was designed to get rid of it. As cool as these phones are, it just makes me feel like they're overcharged 2.3 devices instead of true next gen android phones. Maybe I'm just being picky, but seeing a menu key on upcoming flagship devices like the optimus g really turns me off, even with all the other awesome specs that come with it (13mp camera, true HD ISP display, s4 quad pro chip). It just feels like the manufacturers aren't looking forward. By keeping the stupid key around, app developers will keep implementing menu key functions in their next gen apps, where as they should be trying to do the opposite. Anyways, I'm done ranting, thoughts?
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Why are all the new flagship ICS and JB android phones still using a menu button?
- Thread starter sonicnw
- Start date
Digital Controller
The Real Bass Creator
Reasons i like my Galaxy Nexus, no buttons!!!
I love how they are on the screen, and arent a huge button at the bottom.
Previously I owned a Droid Incredible and it had a weird circular button at the bottom, this button was never used, not once, it was there but it was the weirdest thing, apps didnt even really utilize it, it was just thrown on there for no reason. Good thing they got rid of it with the new Incredible, thing was useless.
chanchan05
The Doctor
The app developers won't add menu keys. They know that their apps won't work on HTC and other branded devices if they keep the menu keys and thus less income for them. Samsung did this because of TouchWiz and to keep the UI the same across all their devices. Its their own decision and it does not go against the rules Google laid down.
Motorhead1991
Android Expert
There's mothing wrong with a menu button, in fact, I wish my tab II had one... Now, the search button is useless.
ExtremeNerd
Android Enthusiast
You also have to remember that OEMs had no prior knowledge of what ICS would contain. These phones have been in development likely for more than a year. It will take time for manufacturers to fully comply with the new direction of Android. We're seeing it now with Moto, HTC, LG, and ZTE current flagships. I would expect that the current generation will start moving away from the hard keys since they're being developed with ICS in mind.
breadnatty08
pain rustique
I don't mind the separate screen real estate, but I love being able too modify the buttons via custom ROMs on my Gnex and N7. I can add back the search button or anything else I want. I can also modify how wide and tall the bar is, devs dream! Glad to see Moto is finally jumping on it. Hoping Samsung and HTC give it a shot with their next offerings.
I think this is big. It's probably hard for the phone companies to predict what the OS is going to like before its released which would make it hard to design a phone with utilizes it to its full potential until a while after its released.