Android Source Code reveals push towards a consistent Action Menu

Google has always been in favor of on-screen buttons and it is pretty evident in all their Nexus devices. Sometime back, Google introduced the action menu(the vertical dots) as a method of opening the settings for an app or screen depending on the context. Despite Google’s attempts to unify the Android experience(atleast in terms of these vertical dots), manufacturers(especially Samsung) have continued to use hardware buttons for home and other navigation options.

In the latest Android software code, Google seems to have made it a necessity for an app to show the action menu always. The new code will be effective in devices running Android 4.4 KitKat+ and this may be the way to go in the future. Certain manufacturers like LG, Motorola, Sony already have moved to on-screen buttons, but Samsung is still preferring hardware buttons for navigation. Throw in the numerous Indian and Chinese manufacturers, you get a lot of companies that still go with hardware navigation buttons and this leads to an inconsistent experience for users.

Majority of the users often use just a single device and hence it shouldn’t be a major problem unless they upgrade their smartphones. The existence of on-screen buttons as well as hardware buttons creates a developmental hurdle for almost all the developers as they have to keep in mind both sets of devices.

Google have done their part by making it a must to show the action menu contextually at all times and it is up to the hardware manufacturers(yes, Samsung) to follow it up.

What do you prefer? On screen navigation or Hardware buttons? Let us know in the comments below.