Android Skins, yay or nay?

[themistermanguy]

Google's flagship software platform, Android, has an incredibly customizable nature. Giving the user the power to change nearly every aspect of their phone or tablet. However, this power also extends to the hardware makers. Android OEM's are allowed to drench the platform in a custom UI with added features, to make the device more marketable. This isn't inherently bad, as an OEMs modification can actually add some useful features, and most don't mind it as long as it keeps Android's basic look and feel. But then you have companies like Samsung who's TouchWiz modifications change the platform so much, that if it wasn't for the Google functions, would make Android almost unrecognizable. So what is your stance on Android skins from OEMs?

 

[MysticSlayer]

Stock Android is rather boring. Yes, it is clean and simple, but it is also boring. I can't fault OEMs for trying to make it more presentable. It also leads to quite a good variety in Android, which helps it meet the desires of more people.

Plus, if I don't like the default launcher, I can always get one off of the Google Play Store. There are plenty of great launchers out there including Nova, Apex, GO, Action Launcher 3, Smart Launcher 3, and Buzz. There are even launchers to make it look like iOS or Windows Mobile, add a lot of 3D effects, overlay on the main launcher (e.g. SAO Launcher), or seek to make it quicker to get to more commonly used stuff (e.g. Arrow). Furthermore, many of these also support custom icon packs and may even come with a lot of themes and icon choices of their own, which gives further control to the user.

Overall, I see OEM meddling with Android as really just them offering a good level of choice to consumers. The good news is that if consumers don't like what any OEM offers, they can just go to the Play Store and find something they like. Basically, it is a win/win and, to me, one of the main advantages of Android.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Well, to a point. Most manufacturers are simply applying skins, and thats fine. I'm partial to HTCs take on Android.

On the other hand, there's Amazon Fire, which I'm told is so warped its functionally not Android anymore. But I haven't messed with one of those, so I can't say for certain.

 

[themistermanguy]

Well, to a point. Most manufacturers are simply applying skins, and thats fine. I'm partial to HTCs take on Android.

On the other hand, there's Amazon Fire, which I'm told is so warped its functionally not Android anymore. But I haven't messed with one of those, so I can't say for certain.

Technically, Amazon's Fire devices run Fire OS, which while based on Android's kernel, isn't the same Android that Google usually licenses, so it's technically seperate platform. In my opinion, OEM skins are fine as long as the customizations are subtle, and maintain Android's general look and feel.