The Usability Blog

There’s been a big stir in the technology world for some time around the Google Android Operating System for mobile devices.  It’s been touted as a viable competitor to the Apple iPhone, the current king of mobile devices (in my opinion).

If you are feeling excited about Google Android, maybe you should check out this video (embedded below) of its interface in action before rushing out to pick up the imminent HTC Dream.  Quite frankly, the interface really needs some work.  Compare the time taken to zoom in and out of web pages on the Android Device to performing the same task on the iPhone.  Also compare the clustering of icons on the home screen, with minimum spacing between them.  Given some people have complained about the iPhone’s icons being not spaced enough, they are unlikely to find any relief with the first Android phone.

Of course, it’s early days and we’re yet to get our hands on a proper handset.  Google have also tried their best to create as open a platform as possible, so much of the initial problems can be ironed out.  But comparing early Android footage to early iPhone footage, there’s no real competition here.