A video of the Rachel UI that’s being created by Sony Ericsson to smooth out Android’s rough edges is making waves today. To date most Android UIs are still clunky and awkward, making this a welcome glimpse of what’s to come from Sony Ericsson’s future lineup.
Most of the video features the music and video player interfaces with a quick peek at the home screen and contact management. It has all kinds of crazy transitions that the performance-minded might want to turn off, but it’s still pretty slick.
Sony Ericsson has recognized the need for great design as a differentiator in the exploding Android market. They’re up against the newly released MOTOBLUR, stock Android 2.0 and every independent skinner in the community, so competition is about to get fierce.
Enterprising Android users will probably be able to get a similar interface on their phones without having to buy a SE or Moto phone, but the company’s contributions to the platform will help them build credibility among consumers. The handset companies also need killer hardware design to really win their share of the Android market.
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I'm Dave and I like to share news about gadgets, gear, careers and design for a mobile world.
theregoesdave
Looks nice those new X10 menus, still I have this bitter after taste with the newly released Satio. This phone was to compete with other smartphones in the market but it lacks some important characteristics (multi touch touchscreen) and SE doesn’t want some of the X10 updates to be used for the Satio, why that is remains a mystery. I think I would rather opt for some HTC.