google tv design and serenity
TRANSCRIPT
Serenity for Android
What is Serenity
● Plex Media Server Client for Google TV Devices and Android based tablets/phablets.
● Open Source project available on github https://github.com/NineWorlds/serenity-app
● Available in the Google Play store.
Misconception
An app designed for Landscape mode on a Tablet will work just fine on a Google TV device.
Failure Points
● The app may run, but will probably provide a frustrating user experience.
● These apps are designed for Touch and typically do not take into account other ways to interact with the app.
● Using a Mouse is frustrating on the TV. If the user has to use the mouse pointer, it is a design failure.
● Need to design with the TV environment or Accessibility in mind.
Google TV Design Guidelines
● Design for D-PAD not for Touch interface● Avoid the use of the Mouse or Touchpad.● Emphasize obvious items that can be selected
or interacted with.● Back Button should exit or take back to
previous screen.● Give visual indicators when more information
is provided off screen (i.e. scrolling required)
Zones
Design with Zones in mind.
Anti Pattern
D-Pad Navigation can't skip zones. The long scrolling list in the center has to be navigated through to get to the bottom zone.
Text and Icons
● Provide large readable fonts.● Screen space is at a premium. Even at
1920x1080p. – User is sitting about 10ft away so need to make
text and fonts legible from that distance.
– Set up your Google TV development device from that distance.
– Dog Food your design. Use it daily.
Create Quick Navigation Keys
● Provide ways to Navigate quickly through long lists.
● Provide ways to get back to the top of a list quickly.
● To get to the bottom quickly.● Break Long Lists into seperate screens.● Provide Filtering/Search to narrow scope of
items.
Visually Appealing
● Design with Visual Appeal– Apps are going to be in people's living rooms.
– TVs are ment to be visual displays
– You want the wow factor to help bring people back.
– However it needs to be simple and functional.
● Limit the number of clicks that a person has to get to anything on the screen.