As we know, Google’s Android is an open source Operation System for smartphones. The stock Android OS comes only on Nexus and some Motorola devices. All other famous manufacturers i.e. LG, Samsung and Sony modifies the OS to a great deal for their handsets. This includes change in interface design and menu. Some apps of the manufacturers are also added. However, the upcoming Google’s OS Android Wear, Android Auto and Android TV will not allow OEMs to alter the design.
This is confirmed by Google’s engineer director David Burke in his talks with Arstechnica. The upcoming versions of Android for smartwatches, cars and TVs can’t be rendered as it will come with a universal interface. Gradually, Google will implement the material design across its platform.
The UI is more part of the product in this case. We want to just have a very consistent user experience, so if you have one TV in one room and another TV in another room and they both say Android TV, we want them to work the same and look the same… The device manufacturers can brand it, and they might have services that they want to include with it, but otherwise it should be the same.
This statement make it obvious that why Google don’t want to make these OS open. It also seems to be an experience from the past. Google is struggling much since it allowed the handsets manufactures to alter its OS design. Rather than talking about Google’s Android, we often see terms like Samsung’s Android and Sony’s Android.
Now, Google wants to make the experience same across each and every platform. Material Design will surely implement one interface from Android to Chrome OS. However, this certainly requires some time.
What about you, guys? Do you want one single universal interface?